Excitement and hope has begun to build for the University of Memphis football team with the completion of the Blue-Gray Spring Game just a few weeks back, and the Tigers are beginning to hit the weight room hard in anticipation of next season.
Next season matters more than either of the previous two seasons under the helm of head coach Justin Fuente. He's had the past two seasons to implement his system, and recruit the players to fit it. Now, it's time to start seeing some progress on the field.
Memphis won four games in Fuente's first season, and they won three games last fall in his second season. However, the decrease in wins was understandable because the Tigers switched to the much stronger American Athletic Conference.
Despite last year's 3-9 record, the Blue and Gray showed promise early in the season, nearly defeating several nationally-relevant programs in Duke, Louisville and Central Florida. Unfortunately for Fuente and company, they tailed off towards the end of the season with consecutive blowout losses to underwhelming Temple and Connecticut squads.
Last year's disappointing finish makes next season all the more important. With at least seven winnable games on the schedule next season, Fuente can't afford another year with only three or four wins.
Tiger fans have been patient with Fuente, but, fair or not, year three is when things have to begin coming together in fans' eyes.
The vibe around the program is that the team is working harder than they ever have under Fuente, but that's been the story nearly every season over the past few years with little changing. Fans are going to catch on eventually and stop talking themselves into supporting the football program if it doesn't turn things around.
It happened last season. Attendance was outstanding for the first couple of home games, but it slowly dwindled as the season waned.
In the season opener against Duke last September, 44,237 loud fans attended-the most since 2009 against Ole Miss.
In their second home game against Arkansas State, attendance fell to 36,279.
In the third home game against BCS bowl-game winner UCF, 30,274 fans attended, and only 25,671 fans made it out to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium for the Tigers final home game against Temple.
It's an alarming trend, but the Tiger faithful still seem to be on board with Fuente, but that doesn't mean they won't be quick to jump ship if the Tigers get off to a rocky start next season.
The U of M's defense was among the nation's best last season, and Memphians love to watch stalwart defense-look no further than the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Memphis defense returns two of its key senior leaders in Martin Ifedi and Bobby McCain. McCain led the team with six interceptions and two defensive touchdowns, and Ifedi led the team in sacks with 11.5.
The defense should remain at a high level next season, and the onus will be on the offense to improve. Last year's offense, led by freshman quarterback Paxton Lynch, struggled throughout the season.
Lynch and leading rusher Brandon Hayes will both dawn the Blue and Gray next season. Sophomore receiver Sam Craft has also raised some eyebrows during the spring.
When Fuente came to Memphis, everyone expected Memphis to be an extremely effective offensive team. After all, he was the offensive coordinator over TCU's juggernaut offense. His offense at Memphis just hasn't found its groove.
Fuente and his staff are hoping the offense will click next season, and the defense will maintain its high level of play. If they don't, the Tiger faithful may not be so patient with the third-year coach.
