MEMPHIS, Tenn — The Memphis Tigers will open the 2024 season on Saturday when the Tigers host North Alabama. Memphis enters the season with high expectations, picked to be the American Athletic Conference champions by coaches and media.
A great record and an AAC Championship will put the Tigers in position to be in the first ever 12-team College Football Playoff. Under the new rules, the top five conference champions will earn playoff bids, with seven other at-large selections. At least one playoff team will come from the Group of 5.
Here's how ABC24 sports reporters Avery Braxton, Caleb Hilliard and Rachel Phillips predict the season will go:
vs. North Alabama, August 31
Avery: win
Rachel: win
Caleb: win
North Alabama is the only FCS team on Memphis schedule and should be little more than a warm up for the Tigers. Memphis should win big and allow time for backups to get some live game action in garbage time.
vs. Troy, September 7
Avery: win
Rachel: win
Caleb: win
This is practically the definition of a trap game. Memphis could be looking over the horizon to the following week's matchup with Florida State. Troy is no slouch. They won 11 games in 2023 and are the back-to-back Sun Belt champions, but the Trojans are in their first year under new head coach Gerard Parker.
at No. 10 Florida State, September 14
Avery: loss
Rachel: win
Caleb: loss
Here is where ABC team differs for the first time. Head Coach Ryan Silverfield will visit the new home of his old boss, Mike Norvell. Florida State looked vulnerable in their Week 0 matchup with Georgia Tech. Memphis will be coming off a matchup with Troy and if their offense can outpace DJ Uiagalelei and the Seminoles, this game is ripe for an upset. Rachel picks the Seminoles to do it.
at Navy, September 21
Avery: win
Rachel: win
Caleb: win
Last year's game in Memphis came down to the final seconds where Memphis' defense had to come up with a fourth down stop to earn the win. On paper, Memphis should handle the Midshipmen, but the game is played between the four lines.
vs. Middle Tennessee State, September 28
Avery: win
Rachel: win
Caleb: win
MTSU went 4-8 a year ago and are picked to finish fourth in Conference USA. Memphis should fare well in their final tune up before the rest of the season's AAC opponents.
at South Florida, October 11
Avery: win
Rachel: loss
Caleb: win
Outside of Florida State, South Florida will likely be Memphis' first real test of the season. This game turned into a shootout with the Tigers coming out with a 59-50 win on the road. South Florida figures to be in the conversation for the AAC championship if they show similar improvement to 2023 under head coach Alex Golesh.
vs. North Texas, October 19
Avery: win
Rachel: win
Caleb: win
Another game where the 2023 outcome was much closer than it should have been. The Mean Green are in their second year in the AAC and with a lot of turnover, more than 70 new players on the roster. Memphis' high powered offense and continuity get them the win.
vs. Charlotte, October 26
Avery: win
Rachel: win
Caleb: win
Memphis needed overtime to beat Charlotte on the 49ers home turf in 2023. Charlotte head coach Biff Poggi said his team is down near 50% of their starters to start the year and could be more banged up after their non-conference schedule. Memphis handles business at home.
at Texas-San Antonio, November 2
Avery: loss
Rachel: win
Caleb: loss
The ABC24 sports team differs a second time in Week 10. UTSA was a 9-4 team and enters year one of the AAC. The Roadrunners will have to replace the talented Frank Harris at quarterback, but still factor into the playoff conversation with a good season. Avery and Caleb think they protect home turf. Rachel gives the Tigers the road win.
vs. Rice, November 8
Avery: win
Rachel: win
Caleb: win
Rice is a middling team, but went to their second consecutive bowl game at 6-6 last year. The Owls are picked to finish seventh in the AAC in 2024. Memphis should have no problems with the Tigers at home.
vs. Alabama-Birmingham
Avery: win
Rachel: win
Caleb: win
This matchup will be fun as there is hardware up for grabs! The Battle for the Bones trophy gives this game a little extra juice, but UAB should not have the firepower to hang with Memphis at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
at Tulane
Avery: loss
Rachel: loss
Caleb: win
This game could be a preview of the AAC Championship game, or even determine who gets into the championship. A Thanksgiving day game on the national stage will pit Memphis against a Tulane team that's beaten them twice in a row, including once at home. Avery and Rachel think the Green Wave defend home field. Caleb gives the nod to Memphis.
Final predictions:
Avery: 9-3
Rachel: 10-2
Caleb: 10-2