• Despite currently occupying fourth place in the American Athletic Conference’s West Division, the Tigers could have a chance to win the division as they kick off against SMU Friday night in Texas. A lot must happen, so take a deep breath.
(1) Memphis (3-3 in AAC play) must beat the Mustangs and finish the regular season with a win over Houston. The Cougars are currently tied with SMU (and Tulane) atop the division with a league record of 4-2. Even if Houston beats Tulane this week, two Memphis wins would give the Tigers the tiebreaker with a win over the Cougars on November 23rd. Likewise, a win Friday night would give the Tigers the tiebreaker over SMU. (2) Tulane must lose its final two games, at Houston Thursday night and at home against Navy on November 24th. The Green Wave would win a tiebreaker with Memphis by virtue of their win over the Tigers on September 28th. (Tulane could ruin the fun and eliminate the Tigers with a win at Houston Thursday night.)
Larry Kuzniewski
Brady White
• He’s not Paxton Lynch or Riley Ferguson, but Memphis quarterback Brady White has had a very good season. He currently ranks second in the AAC in pass efficiency, behind Houston’s D’Eriq King but ahead of one McKenzie Milton (UCF’s all-conference QB). He’s thrown 22 touchdown passes and only three interceptions. (Ferguson is the only quarterback in Memphis history to have a season with 20 more TD passes than picks.) With 2,512 yards, White has a chance to become the fifth Memphis quarterback to toss for 3,000 yards in a season. The junior transfer doesn’t do spectacular. He’d be the first to tell you. In basketball terms, White is a facilitator. With Darrell Henderson and Patrick Taylor taking turns behind him and a veteran offensive line in front of him, White’s been tasked to not make game-changing mistakes. For the most part, he’s handled the role with aplomb.
• Deep in the shadow of Henderson’s spectacular season has been a stellar campaign by sophomore wideout Damonte Coxie. The sophomore from Louisiana has caught 58 passes (third in the AAC) for 949 yards (second) and seven touchdowns. Coxie had the impossible assignment of following All-America Anthony Miller as the Tigers’ top downfield threat. With 51 more yards, Coxie will join Miller and Isaac Bruce as the only Memphis receivers with a 1,000-yard season to their credit.
