The No. 16 ranked Memphis Tigers football team returns to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Saturday for the first time since its win against then No. 13 Ole Miss two weeks ago. The Daily Helmsman asked its two sports reporters Austin Reynolds and J.T. Mullen their thoughts on how good this Memphis offense is historically and their score predictions for tomorrow’s game against the Tulane Green Wave, among other things.
Just how does this Memphis offense, one set to rewrite the Tiger record books this season, rank with the best ones you've seen in college football in your lifetime?
AR: Memphis' offense has been nothing short of incredible, but among the best in all of college football I've ever seen? It doesn't rank highly, to be honest. There are better offenses in college football this season. Baylor is averaging more than 60 points per game, and they do that nearly every year. Memphis has an awesome offense, but it's not in that all-time great category.
JM: Honestly this Memphis offense is one of the best passing teams I’ve ever seen. This offense, which is among the best in the nation, is by far the best offense the program has ever had. I fully expect them to get better each week.
What kind of atmosphere can we expect at the Liberty Bowl Saturday given the potential for rain? Attendance?
AR: That's a good question. It certainly won't look anything like the Ole Miss game. There are a lot of factors working against attendance this time around. It might rain, it's Halloween, and the Grizzlies play a home game against Brooklyn, just to name a few. Tulane also isn't exactly the sexiest opponent that's going to draw fans in. This will probably have the lowest attendance of any home game this season, but it should still be an alright crowd. I'm expecting around 35,000-40,000.
JM: With a weaker opponent in Tulane, a 6 p.m. kickoff on Halloween, and a rough forecast, it may be the lowest home crowd of the season. That being said, Tiger Nation has shown out all season long. I still expect 35,000 to 40,000.
Any chance Memphis overlooks the Green Wave with the grueling schedule ahead? Score prediction?
AR: I doubt it. Tulsa was a massive potential trap game, and the Tigers didn't fall for it at all. Even if Memphis plays poorly, it honestly probably won't matter. Memphis is a 32.5-point favorite in Vegas right now. If they were to lose it would be maybe the biggest upset in college football all season. My score prediction is 59-17, Memphis. This one is going to be ugly.
JM: This is a very down Tulane team. I think Memphis could overlook Tulane and still win big. Over the last 3 weeks Tulane has been whooped up on by the best teams in the conference—Temple (49-10), Houston (42-7), Navy (31-14)—and now it’s the Tigers’ turn. I fully expect the Tigers to win big. I predict a 56-17 Tiger victory.
