Memphis Football: 2022 Way-Too-Early Game Predictions
By Kathryn Rose
932. October 15. Greenville, NC. 7. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. East Carolina Pirates
East Carolina finished 7-5 in 2021, equaling their win total from 2020 and 2019. It seems as if Mike Houston’s Pirates program is on the right track.
There are a few defensive stars leaving, as standout cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian and linebacker Bruce Bivens are gone.
On offense, the combination of quarterback Holton Ahlers and breakout running back Keaton Mitchell provided nightmare fuel for AAC defenses. Both are back for 2022.
Much like last year’s 30-29 thriller, this should be a close game with an East Carolina last-second win.
Final score: East Carolina 37, Memphis 34 (Memphis 4-3, 2-2 in AAC)
Green Waves were at low tide in 2021, as Tulane finished with a pitiful 2-10 record. Willie Fritz’s squads are usually mid-pack, so last year was a huge departure.
Tulane looks set for a rebound, though. On offense, the team wasn’t terrible, and all the major contributors from last year’s squad are back.
While most major players on defense are back, star cornerback Jaylon Monroe is gone. Tulane’s defense was dreadful, and a challenge for 2022 is figuring out how to replace him.
Memphis will be victorious.
Final score: Memphis 30, Tulane 20 (Memphis 5-3, 3-2 in AAC)