Will the Memphis Tigers Bluff? Or Are they Bowl Bound?
Offense
Fuente is a former offensive coordinator, but it was a dismal offense that kept Memphis from being any better last year. This is an offense that ranked 110th in the country in scoring with 19.5 points per game and the 116th in total offense with 311.5 yards per game. To be fair, there is talent at the skill positions, and a lot of guys were first-time starters last year, but the biggest reason for the offense struggling was due to lack of consistent quarterback play.
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Paxton Lynch is expected to remain the starting quarterback after starting the entire season last year as a freshman. As a Rivals 3-star listed at 6’7 230 pounds who ran a 4.7-40, he’s got a great frame and great physical gifts. True, he was awful at times last season, finishing the year with only 9 touchdowns to 10 interceptions, but as the season progressed, Lynch slowly showed improvement and developed into a dual-threat quarterback. He put up 6 of his 9 touchdowns in the second half of the season, and he added on 2 rushing touchdowns while gaining 114 of his 127 rushing yards on the year during that same period. If he can improve some more, he has enough of a supporting cast around him to light up the scoreboard in some games. That might sound a little far-fetched, but Fuente is the guy who developed Andy Dalton into an NFL quarterback as an assistant at TCU, so I would expect the same from him at Memphis.
The running game is set as Brandon Hayes enters his senior season. He had 860 yards and 5 touchdowns on 201 carries last year without any help from a consistent passing game to take the pressure off. Backup Marquis Warford is gone, but Doroland Dorceus should be able to fill that void as a sophomore. Lynch will only add to the running game if he can become a true dual threat.
The six leading wide receivers on the team are all back as well along with tight end Alan Cross. Unfortunately, nobody was able to take
Dec 7, 2013; East Hartford, CT, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch (12) before playing against the Connecticut Huskies at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
the lead role last year, but Lynch does have plenty of options to spread the ball around. Joe Craig and Keiwone Malone will likely be the go-to players this year as seniors, but Tevin Jones will provide size as a junior at 6’2, and Sam Craft has the most potential after coming in second on the team with 337 receiving yards as a freshman last year. Cross caught 2 touchdowns last year but should have a bigger role this year, and Daniel Hurd and Mose Frazier will still be in the mix. Watch out for an impact from newcomers Roderick Proctor at receiver and Tyler Kolodny at tight end as well. Kolodney has decent size at 6’3 245 pounds, and Proctor was a 3-star on Rivals.
The offensive line as a unit should be better this year as well despite losing two starters. Chris Schuetz was the biggest loss at center, and guard Antonio Foster will be missed, but Micah Simmons and Tony Mays each have enough experience to be able to step in. The other three guys provide plenty of size for the unit in the starting rotation, with senior guard Al Bond standing at 6’4 300 pounds, senior tackle Nykiren Wellington standing at 6’7 325 pounds, and the prized bull in junior tackle Taylor Fallin, who stands at 6’6′ 330 pounds. There are five other guys back from last year expected to provide depth in the rotation, and four newcomers could also make an impact.
There is no reason to believe this group will be remotely as bad as it was last year. That’s not to say it’ll be great, good, or even average. But simply being below average is a giant improvement, and taking steps just not to lose games is all you can ask for. Everything is in pretty decent shape except for the questions at quarterback. If Lynch has a breakout sophomore year, this offense could become a threat.