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Tigers rank among Tennessee’s elite in college football

The University of Memphis (5-1) has gotten off to a great start to the season to stand as one of the best college football teams in the state of Tennessee.

The Tigers are challenged by two Power 5 schools and a Conference USA program for that title.

Memphis, who lost arguably the program’s greatest head coach/quarterback duo in school history, have used a high powered offense and a stifling defense to post a point differential of 125 through six games.

Their one loss of the season at Ole Miss (48-28) was particularly impressive as the Tigers performed at a high level to a top-25 SEC team.

The U of M is not the only team who is playing well.

The University of Tennessee Volunteers (5-2), outside of a blowout vs. No. 1 Alabama last weekend, are still in position to make it to the SEC title game. Vanderbilt University (3-4) is coming off an upset win at the University of Georgia. Middle Tennessee State University (4-2) is currently third in C-USA East and two wins away from being bowl eligible.

Here is The Daily Helmsman’s midseason rankings in the state of Tennessee.

4. MTSU

The Blue Raiders grabbed four wins in their last six games, and are coming off a 44-43 loss against conference foe Western Kentucky.

The backfield duo of quarterback Brent Stockstill and running back I’Tavius Mathers have helped lead an offense that totals 541.2 yards per game and 38.5 points per game. Mathers has been particularly impressive, gaining 725 yards on 114 carries (6.4 average) and 10 touchdowns.

The Blue Raiders are two wins away from becoming bowl eligible for the second consecutive season, and their remaining schedule is favorable for that outcome. MTSU travel to the University of Missouri before finishing out the rest of the conference season against teams that have a combined record of 11-22.

3. Vanderbilt

The Commodores are regularly doormats in the SEC East, but the addition of head coach Derek Mason two seasons ago has given this team a good defense.

Although Vanderbilt has four losses in their seven games, three of those games were decided by a touchdown or less, one of which was against top-25 ranked Florida. The Commodores are also coming off against an upset win at Georgia over the weekend.

Linebacker Zach Cunningham received the SEC defensive player of the week after recording 19 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup. The 19 tackles were the third most in an FBS game this season, and it’s the fifth time in seven games this season that Cunningham, who leads the SEC in tackles, made double-digit stops.

It’s a shame the Commodores play in the SEC and still have matchups at No. 21 Auburn, vs. No. 23 Ole Miss and vs. No. 18 Tennessee. Vanderbilt hasn’t made a bowl game since 2014 vs. Houston in the BBVA Compass Bowl.

2. Memphis

The Tigers came into this season without head coach Justin Fuente, who took the Virginia Tech job, and quarterback Paxton Lynch, who was drafted in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft.

However, the team has grabbed five wins in its first six games, with their one loss against top-25 ranked Ole Miss. The offense, led by quarterback Riley Ferguson and running back Doroland Dorceus, got off to a fast start but has slowed down over their past two games. The defense, however, has been excellent.

Linebacker Genard Avery leads the team in tackles and has taken both of his interceptions back for a touchdown. Linebacker Austin Hall was named AAC defensive player of the week after recording 12 tackles, three TFL and a fumble recovery Friday night against Tulane.

The Tigers, who are one game away from becoming bowl eligible for the third consecutive season, travel to No. 24 Navy this Saturday and still have a matchup against No. 11 Houston at the end of the season.

1. Tennessee

The Volunteers have been one of the best teams in the SEC this season and have provided several unforgettable moments.

The team has rallied back from double-digit deficits to tie or win the game against top-25 SEC programs, including their win against No. 19 Florida that broke an 11-year losing streak.

What’s most impressive is that the team has done this with several high-profile players out injured. Cornerback Cam Sutton and linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin are both difference makers who are out for potentially the rest of the season.

Tennessee, who is coming off back-to-back losses to Texas A&M and Alabama, are still on top in the SEC East and still favored to make it to the conference title game.


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