2008 Memphis Tigers Football Preview
2008 Memphis Tigers season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Memphis Tigers football preview as well as the 2008 Memphis Tigers Football Schedule. Before leaving be sure and bookmaker our live college football odds page which offers up to the minute point spreads for this weeks games.
Coach: Tommy West (8th year at Memphis)
Team Name: Tigers
2007 Overall Record: 7-6
Returning Starters: 15
The Memphis Tigers (7-6 overall, 6-2 C-USA) finished tied for second in the East Division of C-USA. The Tigers won their final three games, including a 55-52 overtime victory against SMU. The team went to the New Orleans Bowl, losing to Florida Atlantic by the score of 44-27.
Tigers’ QB Arkelon Hall, a junior, starts for the first time. There are always concerns regarding a new quarterback. The good news is that the offensive line is excellent and the receiving corps is talented and deep. Junior WR Duke Calhoun (62 REC, 890 YDS, 5 TDs), who was recovering from an injury in the spring, leads a top flight receiving corps. Junior T.J. Pitts (106 CAR, 481 YDS, 1 TD) gets the start at running back. Backing him up will be speedy Curtis Steele, a junior college transfer.
After giving up an average of 32.2 PPG, Memphis brought in a new defensive coordinator—Tim Walton. Look for the team to utilize its physical aggressiveness this season. All units should show improvement. The front is led by senior defensive tackle Clinton McDonald (4 sacks). He’s got all-conference potential. The middle returns healthy after dealing with numerous injuries last season. FS Brandon Patterson (3 INT, 77 tackles, 44 solo), SS Tony Bell and CB LeRico Mathis (3 INT) are all returning starters and seniors with plenty of experience.
This team could be 8-4 if they win their two swing games. On November 8, they venture to SMU for a contest that’s too tough to call. Then on November 22 they take on UCF at home. Wins versus Louisville, East Carolina or Southern Miss would be upsets.
Head coach Tommy West (41-44 in seven years) believes that new defensive coordinator Walton will upgrade that side of the ball. Memphis needs to find consistency and must notch a conference championship to get to the next level, which would include a Liberty Bowl berth. Chances are the team will not achieve that goal in 2008, but they will show progress.
If you enjoyed this piece, underneath this article are more team previews of schools that dont reside in the major conferences.
