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| Sunday, August 12 Updated: August 14, 8:40 AM ET West tries to jumpstart offense to go with strong defense By Eric Crawford Special to ESPN.com |
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Memphis Tigers 2000 record: 4-7 (2-4). Coach: Tommy West (first year). Starters returning: 8 offense, 6 defense, 2 kickers. Outlook: There's something new in Memphis, and we're not talking about the NBA Grizzlies. New coach Tommy West has been tinkering with a spread offense for a club that has been in bulldog mode for years. QB Travis Anglin should fit right in to the new system, and RB Ryan Meadows was impressive in the spring. If the Tigers manage to improve even a bit offensively in the one-back, no-huddle scheme, they could be dangerous. On defense, Memphis should be solid as usual, but the secondary is depleted and West will have to plug some holes on the line. The key for Memphis is to stoke the offense, but if the defense takes some time to adjust, the Tigers could struggle. Keep an eye on: Andre Arnold, a 6-4, 238-pound senior defensive end, was a domingating end last season and could be better this year. He tied for the C-USA lead in sacks last year with 13 and looks prepared to carry on the Memphis tradition of tough players up front. Key game: Sept. 29 at Louisville. After not playing Louisville last season, the Tigers will get a good gauge on where they are with this game. It's a good year if... West can break the gridlock on offense. The presumption is that Memphis will be strong defensively. If the Tigers can move the ball and put some excitement back into the program, the wins should follow. The schedule is tough, though. They open at Mississippi State, and begin C-USA play with a four-game stretch at Louisville, home against Soutehrn Miss, then on the road at Houston and ECU. Eric Crawford covers Conference USA for the Louisville Courier-Journal. |
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