What a difference a year makes. This time last year the Memphis Tigers were 3-3 (1-1) heading into the SMU game after a heartbreaking loss to Houston.
They turned the ball over 5 times against the Cougars in their 28-14 loss.
This year they are 6-0 and just came off a huge victory over #13 Ole Miss.
Let’s take a look at the midseason mark and hand out some grades (because we’re fully qualified to do so right?)
Paxton Lynch. Paxton “Freaking” Lynch. Lynch has been a superstar so far this year. Last year he was 125-196 (63.8%) with 1,401 yards with 9 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. This year Lynch is 142-199 (71.36 %) with 1,919 yards with 13 touchdowns and 1 interception. We give Lynch an A+.
The running backs. Last year at the halfway mark your leading rusher was Sam Craft. Craft had 301 yards on 78 carries and 3 TD’s. Doroland Dorceus was 2nd with 237 yards and 4 TD’s. This year Jarvis Cooper leads the team with 320 yards and 4 TD’s. Sam Craft is 2nd with 219 yards and 5 TD’s.
Last year the Tigers running game averaged 195.8 yards per game. This year they are averaging 189.7 yards per game. Last year they had 15 rushing TD’s and this year they have 18. We don’t see a remarkable improvement but they are still effective. The passing game is so good this year that there’s not too much room for improvement on the running game. The Tigers still earn an A in the running game.
The Receivers/Tight Ends. Last year they had a lot of drops. Not so much this year.
Keiwone Malone was the target of choice for Lynch. Malone had 21 catches for 275 yards. Tevin Jones was right behind him with 20 catches for 252 yards and 2 TD’s. TE Alan Cross led the team with 3 receiving TD’s.
This year Anthony Miller leads the team with 436 receiving yards while Mose Frazier leads the team with 29 catches and 3 receiving TD’s. This unit has improved the most. They get an A+.
The defense…. Well, they haven’t played up to their potential yet. They’ve improved every week though.
Last year the Tigers Defense ranked 42nd in the nation halfway through the season giving up 357 yards per game. This year they are ranked 104th giving up 445 yards per game. Last year they gave up 24.16 points per game. This year they are giving up 26.3.
Passing defense? Last year they were 56th in the nation last year. This year they dropped to 125th.
One bright spot is the rushing defense. Last year they were 35th in the nation at stopping the run. This year they are 25th.
With all that in consideration we’ll be conservative and say C-. After all, they are 6-0. Last year there weren't ranked. Now they're 18th. What a difference a year makes.
They turned the ball over 5 times against the Cougars in their 28-14 loss.
This year they are 6-0 and just came off a huge victory over #13 Ole Miss.
Let’s take a look at the midseason mark and hand out some grades (because we’re fully qualified to do so right?)
Paxton Lynch. Paxton “Freaking” Lynch. Lynch has been a superstar so far this year. Last year he was 125-196 (63.8%) with 1,401 yards with 9 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. This year Lynch is 142-199 (71.36 %) with 1,919 yards with 13 touchdowns and 1 interception. We give Lynch an A+.
The running backs. Last year at the halfway mark your leading rusher was Sam Craft. Craft had 301 yards on 78 carries and 3 TD’s. Doroland Dorceus was 2nd with 237 yards and 4 TD’s. This year Jarvis Cooper leads the team with 320 yards and 4 TD’s. Sam Craft is 2nd with 219 yards and 5 TD’s.
Last year the Tigers running game averaged 195.8 yards per game. This year they are averaging 189.7 yards per game. Last year they had 15 rushing TD’s and this year they have 18. We don’t see a remarkable improvement but they are still effective. The passing game is so good this year that there’s not too much room for improvement on the running game. The Tigers still earn an A in the running game.
The Receivers/Tight Ends. Last year they had a lot of drops. Not so much this year.
Keiwone Malone was the target of choice for Lynch. Malone had 21 catches for 275 yards. Tevin Jones was right behind him with 20 catches for 252 yards and 2 TD’s. TE Alan Cross led the team with 3 receiving TD’s.
This year Anthony Miller leads the team with 436 receiving yards while Mose Frazier leads the team with 29 catches and 3 receiving TD’s. This unit has improved the most. They get an A+.
The defense…. Well, they haven’t played up to their potential yet. They’ve improved every week though.
Last year the Tigers Defense ranked 42nd in the nation halfway through the season giving up 357 yards per game. This year they are ranked 104th giving up 445 yards per game. Last year they gave up 24.16 points per game. This year they are giving up 26.3.
Passing defense? Last year they were 56th in the nation last year. This year they dropped to 125th.
One bright spot is the rushing defense. Last year they were 35th in the nation at stopping the run. This year they are 25th.
With all that in consideration we’ll be conservative and say C-. After all, they are 6-0. Last year there weren't ranked. Now they're 18th. What a difference a year makes.
