2014
Memphis
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule and Odds
A stagnant offense held Memphis to just one AAC win last year, but with plenty experience returning, the Tigers should have a better 2014 in Justin Fuente’s third season as head coach. They return 18 starters in all with eight coming back from a stout defense that was the strength of the team.
The biggest name of the offensive returnees is probably quarterback Paxton Lynch, who should show improvement in his sophomore season. Lynch failed to do much last year with nine TDs and 10 INTs in 12 starts. That’s the main reason this team scored less than 20 points per Game. Brandon Hayes (860 yards) is back at running back for his sixth year of eligibility and Doroland Dorceus is expected to push for carries as well.
The receiving Game returns mostly everyone, although they were plagued with drops in 2013. Sam Craft (337 yards), Keiwone Malone (311 yards) and Tevin Jones (292 yards) will be the main threats for Lynch. The offensive line is a bit fresh with only two starters returning, but it wasn’t a strength last year anyway.
The Tigers have improved steadily on the defensive end in the past few years thanks to coordinator Barry Odom. They were solid last year giving up respectable totals against teams like Louisville and UCF, but struggled in other Games giving up 40-plus points to Temple and Connecticut. They’ll be looking for more consistency this season and with eight returning starters, that’s a possibility.
Memphis has playmakers across the board led by Martin Ifedi at end, who was one of the nation’s leaders in sacks a year ago. In the secondary, Four-year starter Bobby McCain had six interceptions last season. They have more seniors throughout the unit with Terry Redden at tackle and Charles Harris at linebacker. The main question for them comes at safety where they lost two starters. Once again, the defense will be the strong suit of this team.
With the defense holding opponents in range, it’s going to fall on Lynch and the offense to win Games. Can they get things going and put some points on the board?
Memphis should come away with two non-Conference wins, and road Games at UCLA and Ole Miss should give them some experience if anything.
The difficult part of their AAC Schedule is right from the start as they open with Cincinnati, Houston and SMU, three of the tougher teams in the conference. That also means they face winnable opponents in their remaining five Games.
With a solid defense and improved offense, Memphis should pull themselves out of last place this season and towards the middle of the AAC standings.
5 dimes sportsbook has odds/lines posted for the first few weeks of Games for several AAC teams. Check em out.
2014 Memphis Football Schedule
Aug. 30 vs. Austin Peay
Sept. 6 at UCLA
Sept. 20 vs. Middle Tennessee
Sept. 27 at Ole Miss
Oct. 4 at Cincinnati
Oct. 11 vs. Houston
Oct. 25 at SMU
Oct. 31 vs. Tulsa
Nov. 7 at Temple
Nov. 15 at Tulane
Nov. 22 vs. South Florida
Nov. 29 vs. Connecticut