There is something about summer time in Memphis that has been slightly different the past two years. It has still been unmistakably humid in the afternoon and even muggier at night, but there is something different that has lent itself to the afternoon lunch conversations and weekend barbecues of Memphians around the city. It is almost football time...
The emergence of an actual successful college football program has revolutionized the way the city and the country view The University of Memphis athletic program.
As arguably the most powerful medium in sports today, football has changed the uneventful summer dead period in college sports into a breading ground for hype and expectations in Memphis that has never been here before.
Even though The U of M has experienced this before, mainly last season, and has two bowl appearances under its belts, there are several reasons why this may be the most important year yet.
The first and most important reason for success this year is Memphis’ very own Heismen candidate DeAngelo Williams.
The all-conference, all-American back made himself one of the most beloved players in U of M history with his decision to stay for his senior year last season.
The two-time C-USA offensive player of the year announced his return last year after leading the country in touchdowns and finishing second in rushing.
Williams will lead a Tiger offense with only three other returning starters and no clearcut solution to who will start as quarterback.
If the Tigers struggle to find success this year in the passing game, Williams may struggle to repeat last season’s stellar performance as opponents continually stack the line in response to the city’s favorite candidate.
In the end, Williams’ race to win the Heisman Trophy will be one of the most historic events to take place in U of M athletics, if he is given the proper chance to pursue it.
Add the addition of the University of Tennessee to this season’s schedule and the nationally televised season opener with Ole Miss, and you have another reason to make this year one for the books.
The renewed SEC rivalry will kick off at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis on Labor Day weekend.
The Tiger-Rebel game will be featured on ESPN and will be the debut of University of Mississippi’s head coach Ed Orgeron.
Orgeron came over from national champion USC earlier this year. His two previous jobs inlcuded Nichols St. and Miami, but was realeased by Miami after a bar room brawl.
Orgeron has publicly stated that the annual Memphis/Ole Miss game does little “good” for the University of Mississippi.
These statements have led to speculation that this could be the last year for the historic game, making this year’s all the more important.
The U of M/Tennessee game will also make this years schedule worlds different than the past two years.
UT’s vacancy from the schedule for the previous two years will make this the first year that DeAngelo Williams will start against Tennessee.
The in-state rivalry game has also been moved back to Nov. 11, setting the game up to possibly be a key win for the Tigers to qualify for a bowl and ruining Tennessee’s chances at a national title.
In the past four meetings between the two teams, the outcome has been decided by an average of seven points, with Tennessee winning three of the four.
Finally, this year could be the last chance for the Tigers to earn an appearance at the Liberty Bowl.
The hometown bowl game has for years promised one game to the C-USA champion, a promise that is now in danger of being broken.
The Liberty Bowl is now in negotiations with the SEC to make the bowl the location for its eighth place team.
If successful, the contract will take away the chance for The University of Memphis, which plays in the bowl every home game, to be chosen for the Liberty Bowl game.
In short, it could be this year or never for the Tigers, who have never made a Liberty Bowl appearance.
Although the Tigers have been picked to finish third in their division by the coaches of C-USA, The U of M will still have plenty of expectations to live up to.
With the success of the past two seasons, Memphians only have one question: “New Orleans and Mobile were great, but where are we going now, Tommy?” Let’s hope he has a good answer.
