2009 Memphis Tigers NCAA Football Predictions

Written July 17, 2009 by Jason Lowry

Memphis Tigers 2009 Predictions The Memphis Tigers are coming a pretty solid season, as they finished the regular season at 6-6 and tied for 2nd in the East division of Conference USA at 4-4. The Tigers were awarded with a trip to the St. Petersburg Bowl, but didn’t have much luck against USF losing 14-41 to push their overall record to 6-7. This year the Tigers have just 12 starters back and it will take a lot of work from head coach Tommy West to keep this team at the top of the West division.

The Tigers have just 5 starters come back on offense, but luckily return senior Arkelon Hall to play quarterback. Hall didn’t exactly have a monster year throwing for 2,275 yards and just 12 touchdowns to 7 interceptions, but this team needs an experienced man under center with only one starter back on the offensive line. The Tigers look to start a couple of sophomores in Ronald Leary and Michael Antonescu on the left side, while senior Malcom Rawls and junior Brad Paul take over on the right side. The Tigers are hoping that the inexperience on the offensive line won’t take away from senior running back Curtis Steele, who ran for 1,223 yards and 7 touchdowns in his junior year. The Tigers also add a solid backup in junior Lance Smith who transfered to the team from Wisconsin. At wide receiver The Tigers bring back their biggest playmaker from 2008 in senior Carlos Singleton, and a solid threat in senior Duke Calhoun, but these are the only two receivers the team has back. The team is hoping that they will get some solid production out of a couple Miami transfers in sophomore wide out Jermaine McKenzie and senior tight end DajLeon Farr. Also in the mix is Mississippi transfer Rod Davis. The line will likely determine the success of this unit, as they have to show they can not only block for Steele, but they have to keep Hall off his back when he drops back to pass. Bet the Tigers this season at Sportsbook.com.

Get ready for another exciting season of NCAA football betting by taking advantage of the $500 match bonus going on at BetUS. Just simply sign up and deposit at least $500 and get an additional $500 for free.

The Tigers should once again be solid on the defensive side of things with 7 starters back from 2008. There is some concern up front as the Tigers must replace three of the four starters on the defensive line, as the only starter back is senior defensive end Jada Brown. Playing opposite of Brown will most likely be fellow senior Demetrius Culpepper, while a couple of juniors in Tim McGee and Justin Thompson take over at the two tackle spots. The Tigers should be very strong at linebacker, as they have a solid talent in the middle in junior Winston Bowens, but the two players to look out for our outside linebackers Derrick Odom and Greg Jackson. Odom comes in as a LSU transfer, and figures to be a force in this conference right away. The secondary looks strong with three starters back and Auburn transfer DeRon Furr ready to step in and take over at free safety alongside the Tigers leading tackler from last year in senior strong safety Alton Starr. There is no question that the Tigers have done a lot of work in bringing transfers to this program, as six transfers are expected to start on both sides of the ball this season, but will it be enough to compete with the top teams in this conference. Bet Conference USA this season at Sportsbook.com.

My 2009 Prediction: Tie for 3rd in Conference USA East Divison. Its really hard telling where to pick this team this season, as they could surprise and finish as high as 2nd in the East, but a lot would have to go right for that to happen. I think both the offensive and defensive lines are what keeps this team from competing for a conference title this season.

Need some help with your NCAA football predictions this season? Be sure to check back for our expert NCAA football picks and the latest college football betting odds at Betfirms.

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

No comments yet, but your thoughts are welcome!

Comments

Got something to say?