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2009 Memphis NCAA Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

memphis 62309 Memphis has enough talent at its skill positions to win the East and challenge for a spot in the hometown Liberty Bowl, but will an inexperienced offensive line let the Tigers down? Get my take in this 2009 college football betting preview. Take advantage of our special $500 match bonus offer at BetUS!

Offense – The Memphis Tigers have plenty of weapons at the skill positions. Senior QB Arkelon Hall is coming off a 2,275-yard, 12-touchdown season, running back Curtis Steele returns after rushing for 1,223 yards and seven touchdowns, and two of the league’s best receivers, Duke Calhoun and Carlos Singleton, are back as well. The problem is that the Tigers need to find four capable offensive line replacements for a unit which suffered significant losses. If they are able to do so, this team has the talent to win the East division. I’m going to call it how I see it, the Memphis backfield is stacked. Besides Steele, the unit features a punishing runner in sophomore Brandon Ross and perhaps another star in Wisconsin transfer Lance Smith. If the line can do its job, Memphis should be able to run on anyone with this crew of backs.

Defense – The talent is there for the Tigers to put one of the stronger defenses in the East on the field, but it is yet to be determined how everything will come together under another new defensive coordinator and with several SEC transfers coming in. Tim Walton spent one season improving the defense before jumping ship for the NFL. The program decided to promote linebackers coach Kenny Ingram to keep the job in house. The players know Ingram, and that’s a plus, but we don’t know how adept he’ll be at running the show. Head coach Tommy West feels the key to seeing further improvement on this side of the ball is consistent play from the secondary. The Tigers are hoping to shore up the defensive backfield with former Auburn defensive back DeRon Furr stepping in at free safety. The linebacker position figures to be in good hands with all three starters returning and a pair of SEC transfers adding top-level depth. The defensive line is counting on one of the nation’s top juco transfers, Justin Thompson, to help them control the line of scrimmage.

Prediction: 3rd Conference USA East – Memphis went bowling in 2008, but slightly underachieved in my book, losing by one at Marshall early in the season and by a touchdown at home to UCF late in the year. This disappointment was capped off by a 14-41 blowout loss to South Florida in the St. Petersburg Bowl. The Tigers still have a strong group of skill players, and one of the strongest running back units they have ever had, but an offensive line which must replace four starters figures to keep them from capturing the East. Bet Conference USA football at BetUS and get up to 145% in sign up bonuses!

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