The Memphis Tigers took care of the Georgia State Panthers last Friday without any problems. The game was nationally televised, and guys like Darrell Henderson showed the country how legit this football program is. Memphis will face its last non-conference opponent, the South Alabama Jaguars, this Saturday.
Sports reporters Frank Ramirez and Zach Thompson and sports editor Joshua A. Vinson shared their thoughts on what the Tigers need to do this weekend.
Frank Ramirez
After Memphis plays South Alabama this Saturday night at Liberty Bowl Stadium, Memphis should be 3-0 at home. After gaining confidence again from a 59-22 win against Georgia State, Memphis has to make sure they take care of business.
South Alabama is 1-2 on the season after beating Texas State last weekend 41-31. They have been struggling to defend the aerial game, giving up 292 yards per game, while Brady White has been performing well at home so far, throwing 10 touchdowns for 627 yards without an interception. White should have another good game.
The South Alabama Jaguars’ run defense is heading into trouble against Memphis’ rushing game, which is basically Darrell Henderson, who is the nation’s leading rusher. The Jaguars currently give up 184 rushing yards per game, so Henderson, the nation’s leading rusher with 521 yards and six touchdowns, should be able to exploit their defense along with a talented Memphis offensive line. Did I mention Henderson is the nation’s leading rusher?
My prediction is while Memphis might struggle in the beginning of the game due to the Jaguars’ confidence from their first win of the season, Memphis will still win.
Final score prediction:
Memphis 52, South Alabama 13.
Zach Thompson
After a blowout against Georgia State, Memphis turns its attention to South Alabama this week. Darrell Henderson burst onto the national scene last week with his huge game on the ground, turning in 233 yards and two touchdowns on only 14 carries. Henderson became the second Tiger ever to post consecutive 200-yard games in a season, with the other being all-time Tiger great DeAngelo Williams.
While South Alabama may not be a program rich with history, they’ve given some notable teams problems in recent years, including upsetting Mississippi State 21-20 in 2016. Head coach Steve Campbell is in his first year at the helm for the Jaguars, and the Jaguars will be looking to make a statement on the road. Coming off a 10-point victory over Texas State that saw the team score the last 25 points to cap off a 4th-quarter comeback, the Jaguars are rolling into this week hoping to upend the high-scoring Tigers.
South Alabama’s passing game appears tough, especially from the connection between quarterback Evan Orth and receiver Jamarius Way, who caught 11 passes for 173 yards last week. However, I expect Memphis’ offense to be too much to handle for South Alabama, and its potent rushing attack lead by Henderson should be enough in this game.
Final score prediction:
Memphis 42, South Alabama 13
Joshua A. Vinson
Sure, Memphis had better win this game because, if not, you better believe I will write a 1,000-word column about it. Both Frank and Zach make great points, but I think they are underestimating the South Alabama Jaguars team, and I agree with Raven’s take; this game will be closer than most people believe.
They put up 26 points in a losing effort against a solid Louisiana Tech team and 13 points up against Oklahoma State. Finally, they managed to not only win last week against Texas State, but also put up 41 points.
The Jags can score. In addition to this team being able to score, they have a defense that feeds off the offense’s energy. The Jags’ defense go after quarterbacks, so the Memphis offensive line had better be ready to protect him.
As mentioned, South Alabama can score. The Memphis Tigers’ defense cannot become complacent and unprepared for this game. If they are, this game will become competitive, and it should not get to that point.
We all know what Brady White, Darrell Henderson and Memphis’ offensive powerhouse is capable of, but the defense must be on-point in all four quarters.
So Memphis will win this game, but South Alabama will get more than 13 points.
Final score prediction:
Memphis 48, South Alabama 30.
Austin Hall tackles a Georgia State offensive player. The Memphis Tigers defeated the Panthers on Friday.
Sports reporter Frank Ramirez
Sports reporter Zach Thompson
Joshua A. Vinson | Sports editor
