Cowbells and bulldogs are what the Memphis Tigers are sure to begreeted by when they travel to Starkville, Miss., this weekend toface Mississippi State.
It will be the Bulldogs homecoming and they chose the Tigers forgood reason -- they have beat the Tigers nine times in a row.
MSU (1-4) is led by a high-powered offense even though they onlyhave one win thus far in the season.
Senior receiver Justin Jenkins leads their offense, not tomention the entire Southeastern Conference in receptions (7.4) andreceiving yards (115) per game.
The man responsible for getting the ball to Jenkins is puttingup similarly impressive numbers.
Senior quarterback Kevin Fant is right at 259 yards per game,the same as Tiger QB Danny Wimprine. If anybody can stop theexplosive Bulldog offense, new Tiger Defensive Coordinator Joe LeeDunn can. Dunn returns to Starkville after being fired last year byHead Coach Jackie Sherrill.
Dunn, who coached six years at State, scrimmaged against theoffense there almost every day, and Memphis fans are counting onhim to make a better showing for the Tigers than last yea''s 29-17defeat at the Liberty Bowl.
"It's a lot easier to be a head coach when you got coaches youbeleive in," said Memphis Head Coach Tommy West. "We'll put them inthe right places."
The Tigers need to pull of a victory in order to keep fromfalling into a downward spiral like the past Tiger football teams,especially after last weeks poor showing against UAB.
West said that he doesn't think this Memphis squad is the sameteam Memphis fans are accustomed to seeing.
"This team has more character," said West. "I really don'texpect us to drop off at all, in fact I expect this team to pick itup some."
Saturday's game will be the Tiger's halfway point in the season,and if they want to have a chance at a bowl game they need to getto at least 6-6, and with three tough road games coming up, theTigers need to get off to a good start against a vulnerable Bulldogteam to gain momentum heading into the second half of the year.
