Memphis, which has won 10 games in a row, has not lost in nearly a year, but for the most part, apart from their Miami Beach Bowl victory, has been largely under the radar nationally.
Thursday’s game against preseason American Athletic Conference favorite the Cincinnati Bearcats (2-1) gives Memphis (3-0), in their first conference game of the season, a chance to not only make an early season statement at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, but show on a national stage, with the game being televised on ESPN, how much Tiger football has progressed under fourth-year coach Justin Fuente.
However, the Thursday kick off presents the Tigers with a short week, preparation wise. Fuente said regardless of the game against Bowling Green, which Memphis won 44-41 on Saturday, they were always going to have to turn the page fairly quickly and the key is getting everybody feeling good and knowing what to do.
“Fortunately I have had some practice with this when I was at TCU, where we played in some Thursday night games,” Fuente said. “We did it a couple of different ways. The biggest challenge is that we played a physical game. We've got to get moving around, know what we are supposed to do and feeling good by Thursday night. You just have to have balance."
The Bearcats, who are led by former Auburn and Texas Tech coach Tommy Tuberville, lost their opening AAC game at home to Temple on Sept. 12 (34-26) in between victories against Alabama A&M (52-10) and Miami (Ohio) (37-33).
One possible advantage for Memphis is Cincinnati could be without star junior quarterback Gunner Kiel for Thursday’s contest. He exited the game against Miami with an apparent head injury, according to Tuberville. Kiel has thrown for more than 4,000 yards and 36 touchdowns in the past two seasons, as the starter for the Bearcats.
Nevertheless, Fuente said they will prepare for the Bearcats offense and not the quarterback. Redshirt freshman Hayden Moore, who replaced Kiel in Saturday’s game, threw for 118 yards and two interceptions but rushed for a touchdown in the Bearcats’ win against Miami.
"I don't see a problem,” he said. “We will get ready for their offense. Gunner Kiel is fantastic player and he has thrown for a bunch of yards in his time at Cincinnati. We will prepare as if he is the starter and its not like when he went out they went to the triple option. I am sure the other kid has a different skill set but it is not that huge of a change."
Tiger fans will remember last season’s clash with Cincinnati, ironically enough Memphis’ first AAC game in 2014, resulted in a dominant 41-14 victory on the road. It arguably kick-started Memphis’ amazing 2014 season, which saw them crowned tri-share AAC Champions and saw them win 10 games for the first time since 1938.
Fuente is aware that if Memphis plans to keep challenging for the conference championship on a yearly basis, they will have to deal with Cincinnati to get there. Especially since the two teams are in different divisions (the Tigers being in the AAC West and the Bearcats being in the AAC East), and could face off in the first annual AAC title game this season.
"I think the best measuring stick for where you're at is playing against your peers,” Fuente said. “You know that Cincinnati is going to be considered at the top of the league every year. I think that is as close to a fair measuring stick as you can get."
Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch has been key in the Tigers 3-0 start in 2015. The redshirt junior has thrown for more than 800 yards and six touchdown passes.
