Will the Memphis Tigers Bluff? Or Are they Bowl Bound?
Defense
As bad as the offense was last year, a very young defense was decent, at least until the last two games. It was ranked 44th in scoring defense, giving up 24.6 points per game, and 39th in total defense, giving up 370.7 yards per game. That was a dramatic improvement in defensive coordinator Barry Odom’s second season, and with nine starters back, including everybody on the front seven after having the 12th ranked rush defense, this could be a very exciting year.
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Up front, the Tigers defensive line would appear to be undersized with only a 270 pound nose tackle, but it was very productive last year. The defensive ends led the unit. End Martin Ifedi is back for his senior season after recording 14.5 tackles for a loss and finishing 7th in the nation with 10.5 sacks last year. Ricky Hunter, who is back for his junior year, will line up on the other side coming off of a very good 4.5-sack season and 12.5 tackles for a loss. Expect both of them to wreak havoc in the backfield. Nose tackle Terry Redden may be a little undersized entering his senior season, as mentioned earlier, but he was still able to manage 7 tackles for a loss and 3 sacks. He’ll be helped playing with DAWG Linebacker Jackson Dillon, who stands at 6’6 230 pounds and started as a freshman last year, recording a sack and 5.5 tackles for a loss. This is by far the best unit of the defense, and with everybody back, it could become one of the best in the conference. Kendrick Golden and Latarius Brady also have experience playing with this unit and will see significant action, and freshmen Cortez Crosby, Isadore Outing, and Caleb Grant all have potential and will provide depth.
As good as the defensive line is, the linebackers are not far behind. All three main contributors are back for their senior seasons, and together, Tank Jakes, Charles Harris, and Ryan Coleman combined for 168 tackles, each one recording at least 50. Jakes had 7.5 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, and a forced fumble. Harris had 4 tackles for a loss and broke up 3 passes, and Coleman had 3 tackles for a loss, 2 forced fumbles, and broke up a pass. Behind them, Leonard Pegues and Derek Howard each played a lot last year and return with enough experience to contribute well again, and there are six other guys in the rotation who could all be called upon if needed.
The secondary was clearly the weakest unit of the bunch last year, ranking 97th in the country and giving up 254.3 yards per game.
Oct 6, 2012; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Tigers defensive lineman Martin Ifedi (97) celebrates with defensive lineman Corey Jones (94) after Ifedi sacked Rice Owls quarterback Taylor McHargue (not pictured) at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Memphis defeated Rice 14-10. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
However, there is plenty of depth and experience here for it to improve this year. The loss of safety Lonnie Ballentine will hurt, but the loss of safety Anthony Watson should be offset by Reggis Ball, who should even be better than Watson was as a junior after recording an interception, 1.5 sacks, 28 tackles, 2.5 tackles for a loss, 2 passes broken up, and a forced fumble in limited action last year. Andrew Gaines is the main cornerback who will enter his senior season, and he’s pretty reliable after breaking up 7 passes last year. The other side is a question mark, but Bakari Hollier and Bobby McCain are both seniors who played significantly last year, so despite struggling, they should still be much better this year. That leaves the question at Free Safety. Dion Wittey has the most experience to fill the void as he enters his junior year, but watch out for redshirt freshman Phillip Sumpter to push for that starting job. Chris Morley and Dontrell Nelson both have experience as well, and Fritz Etienne could get in on the action. If players in the secondary don’t pan out, Ty Northern and Brujoun Bonner could be mixed into the rotation as well.
Overall, the defense should be very good this year. The only losses are in the passing game, but that unit should still be better than last year. The front seven should be amazing and capable of carrying the Tigers. There’s no reason they can’t have a Top 25 scoring defense and total defense this year.