– Last Updated on June 8, 2018 7:50 am
2017 Football Preview – AAC – Tigers
Looking for 2017 Memphis Tigers predictions? The Tigers went 8-5 last season. A lot of people thought the team would be in rebuilding mode, with the loss of Paxton Lynch (NFL) to start last year. Not so fast. First year coach Mike Norvell and Quarterback Riley Ferguson proved that to be wrong. This season the Tigers have their hopes on the American Conference title, and nothing less.
NCAA Football Gambling Lines
- 2017-18 College Football Preview – Memphis Tigers
- Head Coach: Mike Norvell
- 2016 Record: 8-5
- Memphis Tigers Odds to win the 2017 FBS Championship: +10000
- Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For Today
- ***More 2017 NCAA Football Team Season Previews***
The time is now for this Memphis Tigers team to win. Can Mike Norvell and Riley deliver?
2017 Memphis Tigers Predictions: Team Strengths
Coach and Quarterback: First year had coach Mike Norvell and quarterback Riley Ferguson put up numbers last season. Coach Norvell was dialing up the plays, while Ferguson paced one of the nations top offensive attacks at 464 yards per game last season.
Winning eight games last season proved Norvell was the right fit for the Tigers, as well as the development of senior quarteback Riley Ferguson.
Ferguson is the teams top returning player on offense. Last year he proved he was one of the top (if not the top) quarterback in the American Conference.
[dfads params=’groups=220&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
In his junior season, Ferguson passed for almost 3,700 yards on 63 percent completion percentage with 32 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Not bad for a guy filling in for a former 1st round NFL draft pick. With key offensive pieces returning for Ferguson, he should be poised for a better year than last.
Wideouts and Linebackers: Wide receiver Anthony Miller is the top returning receiver for a core who returns three of last years starters. Miller was the star with 95 receptions, 1,434 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Number two wideout Phil Mayhue rounds out the top returning receivers, joining Miller as the Tigers one two punch on the outside.
Linebacker Genard Avery is back to achor the defense. Avery was the Tigers second best tackler last season with 81 tackles. He added five sacks, 11 tackles for loss and had two interception returns for touchdowns. Curtis Akins returns to play along side of Avery to sure up the linebacker core.
2017 Memphis Tigers Predictions: Team Weaknesses
Offensive Line and Pass Rush: The Tigers offensive line allowed 94 tackles for loss and 35 sacks last season. Image how potent the offense would be if they give Ferguson more time to throw?
Check out the free College football picks from Cappers Picks experts today!
Memphis returns four starters back to the offensive line. With four starters returning, the Tigers should be more stout, and open up lanes for athletic running back, Doreland Dorceus.
Dorceus had 810 yards on 132 attempts averaging 6.1 yards per carry last year.
The defense lost five of last years leading tacklers to graduation or the draft.
The Tigers could be suspect to good rushing attacks if the defense can’t find a way to stop the run. Last year the Tigers allowed more than 200 yards rushing five times!
The five time the defense allowed 200 yards or more, the Tigers lost. Sophomore Jonathan Wilson, will look to be the leader for the Tigers pass rushers, he ranks as the fifth best player on the Memphis defense.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish Prediction: 9-4
Memphis has the offensive weapons to put up record breaking numbers.
Returning multiple players at almost every skill position on the Memphis offense almost guarantees an American Athletic Conference title right?
The biggest question mark for the Tigers and capturing the division title will be the Tigers defense. The defesive line couldn’t stop a leak if you asked them to last season.
[dfads params=’groups=219&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
If the defense can stop the run just a little better than last year, this should do wonders for the Tigers season, maybe getting then in the conversation of a major bowl game outside of the college playoffs.
2017 Memphis Tigers Football Schedule
- 8/31/17 TBD ULM
- 9/9/17 TBD @UCF
- 9/16/17 TBD UCLA
- 9/23/17 TBD Southern Illinois
- 9/30/17 TBD @Georgia State
- 10/6/17 TBD @UCONN
- 10/14/17 TBD Navy
- 10/19/17 TBD @Houston
- 10/27/17 TBD Tulane
- 11/3/17 TBD Tulsa
- 11/18/17 TBD SMU
- 11/25/17 TBD East Carolina
What do you think about our 2017 Memphis Tigers predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2017!
The 2017 College futures betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on NCAA football, you are in the best possible place for online betting. CappersPicks.com has NCAAF odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find College football lines up for early games as well.
Check out our Updated College Football Betting Odds.