Even though it was a tough loss against Houston there are some positives on the season. Let's review the first 6 games and compare it to last year.
Last year the Tigers were 1-5; this year they are 3-3. That's a 2 game improvement with a tougher schedule.
The Tigers offense through the 1st 6 games last year averaged 350 yards per game. This year through 6 games the offense has averaged 429. That's a 79 yard improvement.
Paxton Lynch has thrown for 1,401 yards with 9 TD's and 6 INT's through the first 6 games. Last year he had 1,193 yards with 3 TD's and 5 INT's. That's an improvement of 208 yards and 6 TD's.
The running game has improved as well. So far this year the Tigers are averaging 195.8 yards per game. Last year through 6 games they were averaging 154. That's a 41.8 yards per game improvement.
Last year the Defense gave up an average of 386.83 yards per game. They had 15 sacks and 3 interceptions through the first 6 games. This year the Tigers defense is giving up 357.2 yards per game. That's a 29.63 yard improvement.
The Tigers defense has 16 sacks so far this year. That's an improvement by 1. They have 7 interceptions so far, that's 4 INT's improvement.
When you look at the stats and compare them to last year, almost every category shows an improvement.
Sure the loss to Houston stings. Sure the Tigers controlled their own destiny for the Conference championship but all is not lost.
There's still a shot at a conference championship with just 1 conference loss. Barring any major setbacks, the Tigers will go bowling for the first time since 2008.
Just look at the remaining games.
After the bye week the Tigers face current winless SMU. The Mustangs have been dreadful this year. Tigers should win to go 4-3.
Next is Tulsa who currently has 1 win. On paper this is a win. Tigers should be 5-3 at this point.
Then it's a trip at Temple. Temple will be a test and a difficult game. It'll be a toss-up game. Let's say they lose, Tigers would be 5-4 at this point.
Next on the schedule is Tulane. They have 2 wins on the year and only 1 of them is against a FBS opponent. On paper this is a win. Tigers should win to become bowl eligible and be 6-4 at this point.
Then you have USF at home. Currently the Bulls have just 2 wins. Again, on paper this is a win. Tigers improve to 7-4.
Last you have UConn. The Huskies have only 1 win on the year so far. Memphis should win this as well and should finish at 8-4 or 9-3 if they beat Temple.
The Tigers love to play with a chip on their shoulders and they thrive on that. They must learn to play when they're not the favorites. They need to learn to play and win when they are the hunted instead of the hunter.
Sure the Tigers could have and should have beaten Houston but look on the bright side, it could be worse. Just look at last year's first 6 games. Now look at the first 6 games they just played. Now look who's remaining on the schedule.
You feel better now?
Last year the Tigers were 1-5; this year they are 3-3. That's a 2 game improvement with a tougher schedule.
The Tigers offense through the 1st 6 games last year averaged 350 yards per game. This year through 6 games the offense has averaged 429. That's a 79 yard improvement.
Paxton Lynch has thrown for 1,401 yards with 9 TD's and 6 INT's through the first 6 games. Last year he had 1,193 yards with 3 TD's and 5 INT's. That's an improvement of 208 yards and 6 TD's.
The running game has improved as well. So far this year the Tigers are averaging 195.8 yards per game. Last year through 6 games they were averaging 154. That's a 41.8 yards per game improvement.
Last year the Defense gave up an average of 386.83 yards per game. They had 15 sacks and 3 interceptions through the first 6 games. This year the Tigers defense is giving up 357.2 yards per game. That's a 29.63 yard improvement.
The Tigers defense has 16 sacks so far this year. That's an improvement by 1. They have 7 interceptions so far, that's 4 INT's improvement.
When you look at the stats and compare them to last year, almost every category shows an improvement.
Sure the loss to Houston stings. Sure the Tigers controlled their own destiny for the Conference championship but all is not lost.
There's still a shot at a conference championship with just 1 conference loss. Barring any major setbacks, the Tigers will go bowling for the first time since 2008.
Just look at the remaining games.
After the bye week the Tigers face current winless SMU. The Mustangs have been dreadful this year. Tigers should win to go 4-3.
Next is Tulsa who currently has 1 win. On paper this is a win. Tigers should be 5-3 at this point.
Then it's a trip at Temple. Temple will be a test and a difficult game. It'll be a toss-up game. Let's say they lose, Tigers would be 5-4 at this point.
Next on the schedule is Tulane. They have 2 wins on the year and only 1 of them is against a FBS opponent. On paper this is a win. Tigers should win to become bowl eligible and be 6-4 at this point.
Then you have USF at home. Currently the Bulls have just 2 wins. Again, on paper this is a win. Tigers improve to 7-4.
Last you have UConn. The Huskies have only 1 win on the year so far. Memphis should win this as well and should finish at 8-4 or 9-3 if they beat Temple.
The Tigers love to play with a chip on their shoulders and they thrive on that. They must learn to play when they're not the favorites. They need to learn to play and win when they are the hunted instead of the hunter.
Sure the Tigers could have and should have beaten Houston but look on the bright side, it could be worse. Just look at last year's first 6 games. Now look at the first 6 games they just played. Now look who's remaining on the schedule.
You feel better now?
