We’re just a day away from the University of Memphis men’s football team’s second game of the season against No. 11 UCLA, and, strangely enough, there seems to be hope amongst Tiger faithful.
The Bruins underwhelmed enough in their opener against the University of Virginia that they dropped four spots in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll.
The poor showing even prompted UCLA head coach Jim Mora to go on Jim Rome’s CBSSports Network show ROME and bemoan some of his team’s weaknesses. His main concern was the Bruins’ offense, considering the defense scored three touchdowns in UCLA’s 28-20 season-opening win.
Conversely, the Tigers shined in their season opener even if it was against the much-inferior Austin Peay Governors. I don’t care who you’re playing; 63-0 is an impressive score.
Sophomore quarterback Paxton Lynch was slinging the ball all over the field and showing off his speed for two rushing touchdowns. The offense showcased its stable of capable running backs, and the defense flexed its muscles, refusing to allow the Governors a single point.
Tiger fans have coupled all of this together to create one thing – belief. Belief that Memphis can march into Pasadena, Calif., on Saturday and march right back out with the program’s first top-25 victory in what feels like forever.
That belief would have been nowhere to be found before the Austin Peay win. The freshest memory in Tiger football fans’ minds was the Blue and Gray getting blown out in Connecticut by the Huskies in the final game of last season. The prospect of a top-25 win was laughable, but it speaks to the power of one game – a game against the lowly Austin Peay Governors at that.
I’m not suggesting the Tigers will win this weekend, because they probably won’t. UCLA had a rough first game, but they were ranked that high to start the season for a reason – they’re a really good football team.
However, it shows that Fuente is doing something right. He has fans interested and the program moving in the right direction. And I understand his frustrations with the schedule. On Monday at his press conference, Fuente voiced his disgust with having to play two top-25 opponents on the road in the first half of the season – not a great spot for a coach in need of wins.
The fact fans are hopeful for a win against UCLA is a tremendous feat at the U of M. Two or three years ago, no one would have dreamed of the Tigers beating a top-25 team, but here they are.
If Fuente and company win this game, support will skyrocket. It’s what Memphis does. It’s why USA Today named Memphis its most underrated sports town earlier this week.
The city has embraced Tiger basketball since the ‘60s, and it embraced the Grizzlies once they began winning in 2011. This city loves to get behind a winner.
But don’t jump ship if the Tigers should happen to lose on Saturday. The cards are stacked against them, and they aren’t supposed to win this game. Plus, it’d be a shame to miss out on what Fuente has in the works for this program.
Saturday doesn’t make or break the season for the Tigers, but a win sure would be a nice bonus.
