The Memphis Tigers are facing their biggest test of the season against No. 10 UCF Golden Knights this Saturday. The Tigers finally earned their first conference win against UConn last weekend, but this top-ranked team is well-balanced. Head coach Mike Norvell does not underestimate UCF, praising the team for their strong performances.
Norvell said earlier in the week he wants the community to come out and support the program. The game will be nationally televised on ABC at 2:30 p.m. Now the question whether Memphis has what it takes to upset Central Florida.
The Daily Helmsman sports editor Joshua A. Vinson and reporters Frank Ramierz and Zach Thompson weighed in on this much-anticipated game.
Frank Ramirez
This is hands-down Memphis’ biggest game of the season against the UCF Knights. The Tigers have revenge on their minds after losing to UCF 62-55 in overtime in the American Athletic Conference Championship last season. bringing the Knights’ winning streak against the Tigers to 11 games.
The quarterback comparison for both AAC teams are nearly mirror-like. McKenzie Milton has completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 1,501 yards, 15 touchdowns and only four interceptions. Brady White, meanwhile, has completed 69.2 percent of his passes for 1,549 yards, 15 touchdowns and only one pick. I expect the offense to shine for both sides for a nationally broadcasted game.
Although my heart wants the Tigers to win, Memphis is treating the game like a rivalry match unlike UCF, who seem like they want to get their business done. Memphis does have the home-field advantage and they’ve won 12 out of their 13 last home games, but the “national champions” will get the job done. Still, don’t be shocked if the Tigers manage to pull an upset.
Final score prediction:
UCF 45, Memphis 42
Zach Thompson
On the heels of a 55-14 throttling of UConn, the Memphis Tigers now turn their attention to what is possibly their toughest test of the entire season. Coming into this week and so far in 2018, the UCF Knights have been picking up where they left off last year. At 5-0, the Knights are currently ranked 10th in the country in the AP top 25, and their average margin of victory stands at 31.2 points per contest.
Quarterback McKenzie Milton is having another stellar season, and his dual-threat style will certainly keep the Memphis defense on its toes all afternoon. Despite looking shaky in recent weeks, the Tigers have risen their performance level in recent years for this type of game. In front of a raucous crowd and on national television, Memphis will play UCF more closely than any of their other opponents they have faced in 2018. However, the potent offense of the Knights will be too much in the end, and UCF will keep on rolling.
Final score prediction:
UCF 41, Memphis 38
Joshua A. Vinson
Frank and Zach are very generous to give Memphis so many points against Central Florida. Look, I get it. Memphis got beat by this team twice last season. The Tigers have been carrying this burden throughout the off-season and have been waiting for this day. Understood. However, the difference between a good team and a great team is in the numbers. UCF is undefeated. Memphis coughed up two games against unworthy opponents.
Yeah, it’s the Liberty Bowl and everyone is buying into the hype. Not me. This Memphis Tigers team is too lackadaisical. They play good football when they want to and play poorly in clutch situations, not to mention the questionable play-calling, such as Darrell Henderson having only seven carries against Tulane. That is the difference between winners and losers.
UCF is going to send Tigers fans home sad and early this coming Saturday. This defense has absolutely no answers for McKenzie Milton. I could go on about this but I will let you all see for yourselves.
Final score prediction:
UCF 52, Memphis 21
