Attention: Memphis Tigers and Houston Cougars.
If you want to play in a bowl game, start winning now.
Memphis (2-6, 1-4 in Conference USA) is in the middle of a four game losing streak, while Houston (3-4, 1-3 in C-USA) is trying to stay ahead of the Tigers for eighth place in the conference standings.
The Tigers will not be eligible to play the bowl if they lose again.
The Tiger offense has been slumping during the four-game slide. Memphis has averaged five fewer points from its season average during the losing streak, only scoring 19 points a game.
Sophomore quarterback Danny Wimprine has slumped in the last two contests.
Wimprine has thrown for 442 yards on 38 of 75 passing with two touchdowns in losses to Mississippi State and Cincinnati.
Wimprine found the opposition eight times in those two games. Wimprine’s three interceptions against the Bearcats moved his season total to 14 and gave him the C-USA lead.
Memphis leading rusher freshman DeAngelo Williams’ play has been sluggish also.
In the Tigers last four games, Williams has seen action in three, missing the Mississippi State contest. Against Alabama-Birmingham, Louisville and Cincinnati, the 5-10, 190-pound back rushed for 52 yards on 25 carries.
The 11 men on the Cougars defensive unit are prime candidates to keep Williams on that decline.
The Houston defense ranks third in C-USA in rushing yards allowed with 137.1 per game.
On the flip side, the Cougars are last in the conference in passing defense allowing 239.1 yards a game.
Houston has given up an average of 40 points in its four losses this season.
The responsibility of making up for those points falls on the dual quarterback system of head coach Dana Dimel.
Dimel has platoon quarterbacks Nick Eddy and Barrick Nealy throughout the season.
The two have combined for 1,414 yards and 11 touchdowns on 52 percent passing.
Three receivers have been mainly responsible for the success of the Eddy and Nealy.
Junior Brandon Middleton, sophomore John Tyson and senior Brian Robinson have combined for 802 yards and three touchdowns.
The focal point of the Cougar offensive attack is running back Joffrey Reynolds.
Reynolds leads C-USA in rushing yards with 839 yards. Reynolds has also made six trips to the end zone.
The 5-10, 218-pound senior rushed for 197 yards versus Army two weeks ago in a 56-42 victory.
The Memphis defense knows the abilities of Reynolds first hand. Last season, Reynolds gained 108 yards on the ground while scoring once.
Reynolds added 50 yards on five catches against the Tigers.
Memphis’ credentials to stop Reynolds this year look bad. Memphis is ranked 110th in the nation out of 117 teams in rush defense, giving up 218.2 yards a game.
On the brighter side, Memphis is No. 20 in the nation in pass defense and second in C-USA, allowing 178.8 yards per game.
