Memphis

[WaveProf]

Too soon for lines. ESPN has us at 50.2% to win, a slight move up (of between 1-2%) as from preseason through yesterday morning we were at just under 50% to win.

Both teams have a bye next week.

[PeteRasche]

Interesting that they beat Boise (a semi-"name") and we beat UAB (not a name) and we "improved" in the computer's eyes.

[QuarterbackU]

Last year' game was definitely the tale of two halves.

In my opinion, this game will come down to turnovers: If we can take care of the ball on offense and if our DBs can get 2+ INTs from Henigan.

[WaveProf]

Last year' game was definitely the tale of two halves.

For sure, though I don't think we were that "close" on the field. If we hadn't played too conservative (Fritz) and overconfident (the players), the second half wouldn't have been *as* Memphis dominant. A couple of self inflicted wounds also didn't help. And it *still* wasn't enough to make their half as impressive of ours. Oh, and Memphis took a step back over the offeason IMO

But I *will* say this........What I just described isn't how it "felt" to Memphis players, and they are going to remember that game, as one they should have won, and want revenge this year. There won't be a lack of focus from them.

[waverider]

Boise was able to run the ball on them so we will probably come out throwing. Pratt said his knee is feeling better every day so this week off is perfect. He and the receivers can spend a lot of class time together discussing routes.

[WaveProf]

The bye week is perfectly timed for us because of injuries, no doubt. But it also worries me a tad. Fritz doesn't have the *best* track-record coming out of the bye week (not the worst either!) and since we both have a bye week, it may be an advantage Memphis in terms of preparation. We'll see.

[waverider]

The bye week is perfectly timed for us because of injuries, no doubt. But it also worries me a tad. Fritz doesn't have the *best* track-record coming out of the bye week (not the worst either!) and since we both have a bye week, it may be an advantage Memphis in terms of preparation. We'll see.

I was thinking about this during the game yesterday. As bad as we need the bye, I’m afraid of how we might play after the bye.

[Baywave1]

Stop turning ball over in red zone. That’ll make the difference

[waverider]

Stop turning ball over in red zone. That’ll make the difference

This has been an issue in more than one game. It was unfortunate to see Barnes fumble because now that conference play has started I think we may see a lot of what we saw yesterday. Barnes wearing the defense down and Hughes taking advantage of it. C-J will still get his share.

[waverider]

Games after bye weeks. Obviously the past doesn’t mean the present, but these were mostly talent disparities and not all “wet the bed” moments with the anomaly that is 2021. We have won two AAC games and have played Memphis after a bye under Fritz.

2022 - ECU W 24-9
2021 - @ SMU L 55-26
2020 - @ Houston L 49-31
2019 - @ Army W 42-33
2018 - SMU L 27-23
2017 - Tulsa W 62-28
2016 - Memphis L 24-14

[PeteRasche]

I'm pretty sure Barnes has played in 4 of our 5 games, which means if he touches the field again he burns the redshirt. I suspect Coach will have a talk with him over the 2 week break to see if he is okay with losing a year while sharing the load with (at least) 2 others, vs. being willing to sit the rest of the year. Not that it's not Fritz's ultimate decision, but if Fritz decided to redshirt him without talking to him about it, then he hit the portal, that would be less than ideal.

I also wonder how Cornist is doing mentally, having only been in (I believe) one game for a few snaps.

As for the time off, I'm hoping Pratt can just work on timing with the WRs to work out any remaining rust. His second half yesterday was noticeably better than his first, so hopefully he's back in sync. Beyond that, the rest is absolutely needed for others.

Did someone say Remetich returned? Is he healthy?

[waverider]

I thought I saw Remetich return but now I’m second guessing myself. I don’t know what Pines’ issue is and if he will be back for Memphis. We can’t be down two OL

[speckled trout]

I thought I saw Remetich return but now I’m second guessing myself. I don’t know what Pines’ issue is and if he will be back for Memphis. We can’t be down two OL

Hopefully Grubbs will be back. I have no idea how hurt he really is or if he is at all. Maybe someone in the know can shed some light on this because Tulane isn’t always forthcoming

[waverider]

Small had a good game and if he’s healthy, he makes up depth of missing Grubs. LG rightfully corrected me on calling Grubs better than Machado, but I forgot about Small who may be #3 after Platt and Zeus. He was working his way up the depth chart after walking on at lsu until two different injuries ended two seasons.

[tulaneoutlaw]

Sp+ falls to 5.7, 40th. We are now behind air force who is at 7.8, 37th. Memphis and Fresno have fallen behind us while Liberty also lurks

[wavedom]

Stop turning ball over in red zone. That’ll make the difference

This has been an issue in more than one game. It was unfortunate to see Barnes fumble because now that conference play has started I think we may see a lot of what we saw yesterday. Barnes wearing the defense down and Hughes taking advantage of it. C-J will still get his share.

Barnes doesn’t play enough to wear anymore down. Hughes is good on his own.

[wavedom]

I'm pretty sure Barnes has played in 4 of our 5 games, which means if he touches the field again he burns the redshirt. I suspect Coach will have a talk with him over the 2 week break to see if he is okay with losing a year while sharing the load with (at least) 2 others, vs. being willing to sit the rest of the year. Not that it's not Fritz's ultimate decision, but if Fritz decided to redshirt him without talking to him about it, then he hit the portal, that would be less than ideal.

I also wonder how Cornist is doing mentally, having only been in (I believe) one game for a few snaps.

As for the time off, I'm hoping Pratt can just work on timing with the WRs to work out any remaining rust. His second half yesterday was noticeably better than his first, so hopefully he's back in sync. Beyond that, the rest is absolutely needed for others.

Did someone say Remetich returned? Is he healthy?

Remetich came back in and finished the game.

[tjtlja]

[quote=wavedom post_id=871902 time=1696192304 user_id=26061]
[quote=waverider post_id=871882 time=1696183013 user_id=66]
[quote=Baywave1 post_id=871880 time=1696182687 user_id=713]
Stop turning ball over in red zone. That’ll make the difference
[/quote]
This has been an issue in more than one game. It was unfortunate to see Barnes fumble because now that conference play has started I think we may see a lot of what we saw yesterday. Barnes wearing the defense down and Hughes taking advantage of it. C-J will still get his share.
[/quote]

Barnes doesn’t play enough to wear anymore down. Hughes is good on his own.
[/quote]

I think Barnes had 5 carries yesterday which is by far his season high. Wear the defense down??

[waverider]

Give it time. Let the season play out.

We need someone that can give Hughes a breather at times. I said after the USA game that Hughes is/needs to be our feature back.

[tjtlja]

I think we will be a slight underdog in this game. Hope Pratt is near a 100% and the offense takes advantage of what the defense is giving us. I haven’t really cared too much about our offensive play calling this year. And the execution has been the other issue. IMO, we haven’t played close to our potential. We have so many playmakers and we need to unload the full arsenal in Memphis.

[DCGreenie]

Unfortunately, Memphis has the same bye week we do. It would have been advantageous for us to have them play this coming Sat. and again six days later on Friday night, but they will be rested and ready.

[DCGreenie]

And..... Memphis was beaten by only one score by Mizzou, which is undefeated and ranked AP # 21. Silverfield is also a very good coach, and Seth Hennigan is a good QB. This is going to be daunting. If the Wave is a Peach Bowl squad, this game will make it or break it.

[tulaneoutlaw]

What has silverfield done to be considered a very good coach?? He took over a rolling program from Norvell and hasn't done better than 7-6 outside of the Covid year. He was something of an internal stability hire and hasn't done anything to be considered very good.

Henigan is a fine QB but is general the type of QB we've done well against the last couple of years. He used his legs more against Boise, but generally he's a pocket guy. If we can pressure him, and I think we can, then he'll be just ordinary. Not saying Memphis can't beat us - they very well could - but let's don't make them out to be world beaters.

[GretnaGrn]

I thought I saw Remetich return but now I’m second guessing myself. I don’t know what Pines’ issue is and if he will be back for Memphis. We can’t be down two OL

For what incredibly little it is worth, he was limping and wincing very noticably as the team left the field after the game. He was walking without crutches or assistance, though.

[GretnaGrn]

Memphis is clearly the best team left on our schedule, which is admittedly faint praise. Play like the last two games, and we lose. Play like USA and the first half against Ole Miss, and we win.

The bye week is at a perfect time for us; we have a lot of dinged up folks who will be much healthier with a week with no game and the extra practice to help Pratt shake off some more rust and fix some obvious timing issues with the WR should help.