The Memphis Tigers (4-3, 1-3 American Athletic Conference) are trying to bounce back against the Missouri Tigers (3-3, 0-3 Southeastern Conference). Memphis suffered a disappointing loss against UCF the same day Mizzou was blasted by Alabama this past weekend.
Both teams are starving for a win. Mizzou has dropped their last three games, and Memphis has yet to win a game this season. We know that the Tigers will this coming Saturday, but the question is will it be the Memphis Tigers.
The Daily Helmsman sports reporters Frank Ramirez and Zach Thompson and sports editor Joshua A. Vinson give their thoughts on Memphis' last stand.
Frank Ramirez
Memphis needs to hand Mizzou their fourth consecutive loss of the year in order to give them confidence heading into the rest of their conference games of the season. It was heartbreaking how the Tigers handled the last moments of the game against UCF, but they need to keep their heads up against the other Tigers looking for a comeback after losing against the No. 1 ranked Alabama.
The main factor of the game will be Memphis’ No. 5 rushing offense against Mizzou’s rushing defense that ranks 25th in the nation. Last week against Alabama, the Mizzou Tigers held the Crimson Tide to only 4.1 yards per rush and one rushing touchdown, both of which were season-lows for Alabama. Darrell Henderson averages 141.6 rushing yards per game, while Mizzou only allows 120.2 rushing yards a game.
The Tigers will win if they dominate the run game, they feed Henderson and Patrick Taylor Jr. the ball and Brady White continues his accurate passing of 67.5 completion percentage. The Tigers might struggle at first since it is Mizzou’s homecoming game, but they will control the game and get back in the win column.
Final Score Prediction: Memphis 38, Mizzou 31
Zach Thompson
The Memphis Tigers came into this season with hopes of competing for a conference title. However, after a gut-wrenching loss at home against UCF over the weekend and a 1-3 start in league play overall, Tigers fans have had to temper expectations a bit.
Despite the less-than-ideal start, Darrell Henderson continues to put up huge numbers, and he currently leads the country in rushing yards (1,133 yards) and touchdowns (15). Heading into their game this week against Missouri, the Tigers should be hoping to play a complete game.
Missouri quarterback Drew Lock is widely expected to be highly regarded in the upcoming NFL draft, and the Tigers from Columbia feature a potent offensive attack that can score a lot of points in a variety of ways.
Both programs are coming off losses and will be eager to gain some redemption, and this game will be tightly contested. While Memphis will score some points and remain competitive, Missouri’s potent offense, lead by Lock and combined with the home-field advantage playing at Faurot Field brings, will be enough to run away with this one in the end.
Final score prediction: Missouri 34, Memphis 24
Joshua A. Vinson
It is really hard to say who is going to win this game. On one hand, you have a Missouri team that is desperate for a win, something they have not done in over a month (Sept. 15 against Purdue to be exact). In the same breath, you have a wayward Memphis Tigers team that has yet to prove they can win on the road or even win a game when it's raining. In every game they lost so far, it rained.
So we have two teams that are playing for self-respect at this point, which is why I have Mizzou winning this game. My colleagues Frank and Zach pointed out the stats. I'll just say that it was embarrassing for Drew Lock and company to lose to an out-of-conference team like this one. There are no bells and whistles for this Tigers team. After Darrell Henderson, this team is just middle of the road team that may or may not win depending on what team decides to show up and if it's dry or wet outside. Nothing more, nothing less.
Final Score Prediction: Mizzou 45, Memphis 20
Running back Darrell Henderson breaks loose from UCF defenders.
Brady White hands the ball off to the running back. Memphis was held scoreless in the second half in the losing efforts against UCF.
Brady White throws the ball to his target. So far, White has 15 touchdowns and one interception for over 1,700 passing yard this season.
Memphis Tigers head coach Mike Norvell runs out of the tunnel with his team.
