It’s that time of year when the hunger for football reaches that of a grizzly bear out of hibernation. At this point in the offseason, before the talking season begins, everyone has the same lofty goals and expectations, while some just want to close the gap. That program in particular? Memphis. A program that has seen the mountaintop and now has come to expect greatness, but for a new coaching staff and a hungry fan base, this offseason has been unlike any other in recent memory, as closing the gap is not just a saying, but a way of life as Coach Huff and the boys set out to take Memphis to the next level. 

It’s been since 2019 that the Tigers were champions of the American Conference, and resources and investments are being made in the program. There’s simply no excuse, and with the hiring of Coach Huff as Head Coach, closing that gap is this program’s mission going forward. Not to say that success hasn’t been a thing for Memphis under Coach Silverfield, but it always seemed like the program would be right there, but never able to finish the job. Take last season, for example, all Memphis had to do was beat UAB in the Battle for the Bones, and the Tigers would have once again been in the driver’s seat to win the American, and like in 2019, would be in conversation to earn a bid to the College Football Playoffs, but the bottom fell out, and the Tigers dropped a crucial game to UAB. 

So, what does success look like in year one of the Coach Charlie Huff era in Memphis? 

For starters, Memphis has to split or better yet, take both road games at UNLV during week zero, and the road game at Boise State. Wins over those two programs would give Coach Huff and the boys a lot of mometum heading into conference play, where, if they play the cards right, they could land in the College Football Playoffs for the first time ever. As lofty as that is, a successful season for Coach Huff in his first year would be 10-2 or even 9-3, with meaningful football played late into November. From October 22nd on, the Tigers will face Tulane on the road, East Carolina, Army, and Temple at home while having back-to-back road games at South Florida and Navy; that stretch will likely define the season for the Tigers. Let’s say they go 5-1 during that time with a win over UNLV or Boise State and a ten-win regular season with an American Championship, and at least a conversation about the College Football Playoff will be the chatter of Tiger Nation. 

Second, not only compete for the American or the College Football Playoff, but if those aren’t in the cards for this season, then end the season with a win in a bowl game. Go into the bowl season hungry to build mometum for next season and win the bowl game. Often, in this modern age of college football, we see guys go into the postseason without the hunger and desire to win, which leads to unhappiness among fans who spent hard-earned money on a vacation to cheer on the program they love. When you’re trying to close the gap, every game should matter. Ending the season 1-0 is important, and often helps programs jumpstart the next season with high expectations and excitement. 

Lastly, for a successful season, Memphis fans need to see a team that gets better each week, not one that wins a big game and then gets embarrassed the following week. When you’re outside of the power four pecking order, every game matters, and often, Memphis fans would have to sit there and watch a Tigers football team that starts the season strong but ends the season in disappointment. Long gone are the days when it would be acceptable for Memphis, where six wins would be considered to be a good season, this is a new era of Memphis football, one with the financial backing of the university and fans alike, and a bare minimum of nine to ten wins a season is the standard. If the Tigers start strong, as they have in years past, and finish strong, it’s really that simple. Fans should see a football team that gets better throughout the season and overcomes adversity to play for the front of the jersey. 

As far as another storyline to watch out for once fall camp begins, the quarterback battle between Marcus Stokes, who came to Memphis via the transfer portal from West Florida, and Air Noland, who also came out of the transfer portal from South Carolina. For the first time in a minute, the Tigers have quarterback depth with two guys who have a lot of talent and could easily start at most places around the country. Odds are, out of spring ball, Marcus Stokes might have a slight edge to earn the starting role, but the Tigers have one of the best problems to have before the season, with two guys who are both fully capable of taking over at a moment’s notice. If one were to pick a difference-maker for the Tigers this season, it would be the depth at quarterback, as both have the talent and leadership skills to carry the Tigers back to playing for championships. 

If the action on the field isn’t enough to get you excited for the upcoming season, then the renovated Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium will. The Liberty Bowl has always been a special place for Memphis fans through the years, but in the modern age of college athletics the fan expereince is just as important as anything else and what Athletics Director Dr. Ed Scott and his staff have done to the stadium over the last two years will not only help with the product on the field making it easier to pitch to recruits, but it will take the fan expereince to the next level where the Tigers will not only have a true homefield advantage, but will have a stadium that people want to visit. Once again, honoring the traditions of Memphis football while embracing the future of college football and putting the fan experience at the forefront. 

Memphis opens the season on August 29th with a Week Zero showdown on the road against Coach Dan Mullen and the UNLV Rebels.