Memphis football now knows its path to the College Football Playoff.
The Tigers will enter the 2024 season with high expectations, especially in the new era of the 12-team College Football Playoff. Memphis is expected to be among the top programs in the Group of Five this season, and the new-look playoff will have one spot designated for a Group of Five team.
Memphis went 10-3 in 2023, building momentum toward 2024 thanks to a win over Iowa State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. The Tigers are returning more top production than any team near the top of the American Athletic Conference, including the program’s all-time leading passer in Seth Henigan, his top wide receiver in Roc Taylor and All-Conference linebacker Chandler Martin.
So, which games should Memphis fans have circled on the 2024 calendar? Here are our picks for the five most important.
Sept. 7: vs. Troy
The Trojans lost coach Jon Sumrall to Tulane, but they’ve been successful over the past few years. New coach Gerad Parker will be expected to compete for the Sun Belt title, where Troy is the defending champion.
That makes this a tricky game for Memphis. The Tigers have a weak home schedule, and the timing of this game will make it even trickier — it’s the week before the trip to Florida State, which fans surely will be looking forward to throughout the offseason. The stakes will be high here for Memphis, because a loss to the Trojans would put the Tigers behind the 8-ball in their pursuit of a playoff spot.
This game also will be key for establishing momentum going into the meat of the schedule. Lose here, and the proverbial train could start veering off the tracks before it even starts picking up speed.
Sept. 14: at Florida State
Die-hard Memphis fans likely have had this one circled pretty much since it was announced in 2021. This is a monumental game for the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/memphis-football-knows-full-2024-180506032.html
Author : The Commercial Appeal
Publish date : 2024-02-29 18:05:06
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