Tulsa vs Memphis Preview
The Stakes: could be a preview of the future for Coach Ryan Silverfield. Unfortunately, the schedule lined up very badly for the Memphis Tigers. They were facing hot teams at home and dangerous teams on the road. Adds up to a four-game win streak and hopefully, the Tulsa vs Memphis Preview is not a preview of a long, long offseason for the third-year coach.
Tulsa vs Memphis Preview; Tulsa’s Defense
Can we please…. talk about Tulsa’s defense? It’s… a problem. Last week they were exposed by Tulane’s running attack. The Memphis Tigers were too, but Tulane ran for their season-high 357 yards with two 100-yard rushers against Tulsa. In fact, the Tulsa rushing defense is ranked 128th of 131 FBS teams. That’s led to a total defense giving up 33 points a game, which is maybe a hopeful sign for the Memphis Tigers. Memphis has converted on offense against most teams, even though not like the early part of the year when Henigan was a top-10 efficiency quarterback.
Tulsa vs Memphis Preview; Tulsa Offense
Let’s further talk about the Tulsa offense. Coach Phillip Montgomery is an Art Briles protege (h/t Football Study Hall) and runs the spread. Coach Montgomery was once a hot commodity on the coaching market, but his teams are still competitive earning a bowl appearance the last 2 years. Starting QB Brin has been injured, and last week backup QB Braxton kept them in the game for a 27-13 loss to Tulane.
Tulsa vs Memphis Preview; that Memphis Offense
Now, that Memphis offense. Early in the year it was characterized by very few turnovers, but lately Memphis has been losing that matchup. And Seth Henigan is still among the top 50 most efficient QBs in the country, but he was in the top 10 against less formidable early competition. But, it’s not all about the past. In the last several weeks the Tiger offense has been as much QB Henigan running as the other RBs. The last four weeks have seen Henigan, then Asa Martin, Brandon Thomas, and also Jeyvon Ducker being the leading carrier. The Tiger’s offense, despite success, have suffered from no apparent go-to runner in big situations.
Tulsa vs Memphis Preview; that coaching matchup
The Coaching Matchup: A pivotal game for Coach Ryan Silverfield. Coach Montgomery is having a rough season but is quite an institution at Tulsa. He brought the spread offense from Baylor (which was a national power when he was an assistant under Coach Art Briles) to the Golden Hurricanses. Though Tulsa is not a traditional power they have had a good run for them lately. Two consecutive bowl appearances in a Non-power 5 conference is definitely a bragging point.
For Coach Silverfield it is year 3, making bowls first two years. It’s his first full year of his own players through recruitment. Despite good recruiting rankings the past 2 years (71st in country 2022, 54th in country in 2021) the depth has seemed a little less than in previous years, especially on defense. Coaching has had difficulty with losing Quindell Johnson for several games, and nagging injuries on the offensive line.
Tulsa vs Memphis: The Show
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠 will be in the building on Thursday night 🤼♂️#GoTigersGo x @JerryLawler
🎟 https://t.co/kpIrLw7cPC pic.twitter.com/YCrvC3RkCn
— Memphis Tigers (@TigersAthletics) November 7, 2022
This is NOT LIKE other cities’ Wrestling Nights. Memphis Wrestling night brings out the stars. For national readers; the Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium shares the parking lot with the Mid-South Coliseum, where Lawler battled for decades, including the noted match against celebrity Andy Kaufman. And other celebrities, including “The Rock” (filming his show in Memphis) fought here as well. Do you really need more reason to be there than that? It’s Thursday night, national TV, wrestling night at the Sim.
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