Memphis football can end the season on a positive note as they face Utah State in the First Responders Bowl at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
The Tigers (6-6) are back in Dallas with Ryan Silverfield making his debut as heading coach in the 2019 Cotton Bowl. -6) Tuesday (2:15 PM ESPN).
The win improves on the Tigers’ win total from last season. Losing meant it was Memphis’ first losing season since his 2013. Here are the final scout reports and score predictions for the season.
bowl history
With last season’s Hawaii Bowl canceled, Memphis can win and make history on Tuesday. Since ending his 32-year bowlless streak in 2003, the Tigers have not won consecutive bowl games.
Ryan Silverfield also joined Tommy West as the only Tigers coach to win two bowl games. West won the 2003 New Orleans Bowl and he the 2005 Music City Bowl.
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up-tempo offense
Memphis has played against several teams known for their tempo, and Utah State ranks high among them. According to TeamRankings, Aggies is ranked 21st nationally in his seconds per play, five places behind Tulsa. SMU ranks him 8th.
The Tigers struggled with SMU’s speed, but Tulsa had little trouble dealing with it. If Memphis can get somewhere in between, Utah State won’t catch the Tigers off guard. The Aggies aren’t an explosive offense and are ranked 112th out of 131 teams in FBS in yards per play, so Memphis will need to contain the Aggies and maintain control of the game.
solid defense
Utah State allows just 198.4 passing yards per game, and only one team can reach 300 passing yards in a game. However, in the last two games, the Aggies have allowed eight total touchdowns and he has a completion percentage of 64.1%.
Memphis might be better off against a team that allows 4.92 yards per carry. This could even be the game the Tigers end his 22-game winning streak without his 100-yard rusher. The Aggies have given up his yardage rushing over 208 yards in four of their last five games.
But if the Tigers’ running struggle continues, they’ll have to hope throwing the Aggies keeps them on their toes.
run slowly
Memphis is strong against runs for most teams. However, the Tigers have fought teams with outstanding backs such as Tulane, ECU and UCF.
They get another test against Utah senior Calvin Tyler Jr., who rushed for 1,043 yards. is.
Hanging out with Mr. Cooper (Legas)
Utah State junior quarterback Cooper Regus has started the past eight games and sparked the Aggies. They enter Tuesday with him winning five in his last seven games after starting 1-4.
Legas’ best passing game in his last three starts includes a 306-yard pass in a loss to Boise State. But he’s also thrown four interceptions in his last two games, giving him an advantage over the Tigers’ defense, which has 13 interceptions this season.
predict
Memphis 31, Utah 24: Memphis has struggled in close competition and road games over the past two seasons. But the Tigers will do enough to hold off Utah State and put another bowl trophy back on the trophy shelf.