Group of Five New Year’s 6 watch, Week 3: Louisiana facing meteoric rise

4. Can Memphis defend its Group of Five crown?

Memphis is in a difficult position. The benefit of playing in the AAC is winning the conference is almost a lock for the New Year’s Six. On the other hand, it is the toughest conference in the Group of Five. Without UConn, the American is going with no divisions this season, so everyone plays one another.

Memphis gets Cincinnati, Central Florida, SMU, Tulane and Temple this season. It will be challenging to win the AAC for a second consecutive season; it will be challenging to win with fewer than two losses.

If any team can do it, it’s Memphis. Despite losing head coach Mike Norvell to Florida State, Memphis kept most of its assistants and promoted assistant coach Ryan Sliverfield to maintain continuity.

Veteran quarterback Brady White also returns to lead the Memphis offense, and Damonte Coxie is one of the best wide receivers in the country. Despite Kenneth Gainwell opting out, the Tigers still ran for over 200 yards against Arkansas State.

Defensively, the Tigers are solid. The Tigers hired Mike McIntyre after Mississippi overhauled its coaching staff. He inherited a defense that got better as the season went along last year. It’s a difficult road, but Memphis is legit in the AAC.