Memphis Football: Can Tigers repeat as top Group of Five team in 2020?

Strong group of offensive talent returns for Memphis

Last year’s Memphis offense was a national juggernaut, finishing in the top 10 in both yards gained and points scored per game. The Tigers racked up on average 485 yards and more than 40 points each outing, and were held under 30 points only three times throughout the season. That included scoring 39 points on Penn State’s defense in the Cotton Bowl. (The Nittany Lions entered that bowl game allowing only 14.1 points per game.)

The offense was prolific despite an offensive line that struggled to keep opposing defenses out of the backfield. In giving up more than seven tackles for loss per game last season, Memphis left yards and points on the field that they otherwise might have racked up on the stat sheet. Most of the starters return, and the hope for holdover offensive coordinator Kevin Johns is that experience shores up some of these issues.

Where Memphis is certainly not lacking is in talent at the skill positions. Kenneth Gainwell is back at running back after racking up more than 2,000 all-purpose yards from scrimmage and scoring 16 touchdowns as a sophomore. Gainwell is the star of a stacked backfield that also features former Auburn recruit Asa Martin and another potential star in Kylan Watkins.

Focusing on Memphis quarterback Brady White

Most important for Memphis in 2020, though, is maintaining excellence in its passing game. In his second season as the Tigers starter, former Arizona State prospect Brady White exploded on to the national scene. Throwing for more than 4,000 yards and racking up 33 touchdown passes, White finished in the top 10 nationally in passing efficiency, yards per game, scoring strikes, and yards per completion.

White loses a key weapon in Antonio Gibson, the versatile threat who ranked second on the team in receiving last year and also moonlighted in the backfield. Gone as well is solid tight end Joey Magnifico. Working in White’s favor, however, is the return leading catcher Damonte Coxie after racking up 1276 yards and nine touchdowns in 2019.

For Memphis to have a real shot at repeating as AAC champions and returning to a New Year’s Six bowl in 2020, White must have another breakthrough in his final year of eligibility.