Much like SMU, Memphis has a bunch of talented pass catchers that will offer another challenge to the #BlackCats secondary. The leading receiver is junior Calvin Austin III. Austin leads the team in catches (24), yards (424), and touchdowns (five) and is the only Tiger receiver to average over 100 yards a game. Not allowing him to get comfortable and into a rhythm with White will be huge, but he isn’t the only concern. Freshman receiver Tahj Washington has been a capable number two, with 225 yards and three touchdowns. The linebackers will also have a difficult matchup this week with senior tight end Sean Dykes. Dykes is second on the team in every category boasting a 23 catches, 281 yard, and four touchdown resume through four games.
If Memphis does have one knock against them it is that the defense does give up a lot of points pretty consistently. Opponents are averaging 33 points a game and even when Memphis wins it’s often in a shootout variety like their 50-49 victory over UCF earlier this season. O’Bryan Goodson is the senior defensive lineman who leads the Tigers with four sacks on the season, cornerback Rodney Owens leads the team with two interceptions and safety Quindell Johnson leads the team with 31 tackles. UC will still need to remain focused, mistake free on offense or Memphis can turn you over and score points off of those turnovers.
The key to the game will really be how the Bearcat’s offense looks this week. I really liked opening up the playbook as far as the quarterback runs and the short to intermediate passing game, that is what Ridder excels at and what he will continue to have to be successful at if this team is going to fulfill the lofty expectations it now has.
Overall, I think this game plays out a lot differently than last years two contests did, Ridder is a lot healthier now than he was then, I think the wide receiver group as a whole is a lot stronger this season than last and Gerrid Doaks is more than capable handling the ball in the backfield. Marcus Freeman and his defense are playing otherworld right now and it truly is a a Top 5 defense in the nation. All of these things point towards a UC win Saturday, and with the spread currently having UC favored to win by 6.5, I would be comfortable taking UC. I think they will have to score points just like down in SMU, but I think they can score at a much higher succession rate than Memphis can against the UC Defense. I like UC to win 42-28. Go Cats!
