Group of Five: 2017 college football preseason power rankings

Last year, as the Tigers adjusted to a new head coach and starting quarterback, they still managed to win eight games. Memphis should be even better in Mike Norvell’s second year at the helm. They return one of the most veteran offenses in the country, and thus the Tigers will be among the favorites for the AAC West and the Group of Five bid into a major bowl.

Among the returnees to Memphis this season are a slew of senior skill players on offense. That includes quarterback Riley Ferguson, who threw for just under 3,700 passing yards and notched 32 touchdowns in his first year as a starter. Ferguson will be throwing to a trio of senior receivers and handing off to senior running back Doroland Dorceus.

The defense should also be solid this season, despite the loss of five starters from last year. This season’s secondary should be especially strong in 2017. Last year they snagged 16 interceptions from opponents, and the group will likely start three seniors and a junior this season. Memphis should have one of the toughest defensive backfields to throw against in the entire country.

Their schedule also lines up favorably, with their toughest game probably the road trip to Houston in October. Norvell’s team will be favorites to take the division crown this year and play in the first conference championship game in school history.