Memphis has a clear course to the playoff; can it

• Harry Lyles Jr., ESPN Staff WriterAug 6, 2024, 09:10 AM ET

Last year, the Memphis Tigers had a good season that might have been great.They finished 10-3, with their losses concerning Missouri, a top-10 finisher, along with SMU and Tulane, the two teams that played in the AAC championship last year.But there

is a new chance on the Tigers’ doorstep. The College Football Playoff is expanding to 12 groups in 2024 and the leading Group of 5 team will get an automatic bid. In the four-team era, a Group of 5 team had to be both ideal and fortunate to have a shot at magnificence: Only the 2021 Cincinnati team was able to burglarize the field. Now, Memphis understands that if it takes care of business, an excellent season might be right around the corner.

“This offseason, there’s a great deal of momentum that occurred ideal within our program from the bowl game versus Iowa State, to the arena [renovations], to the NIL,” Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield said. “We’ll search for at the end of the season and see where the cards might fall.”

It’s tough not to be positive about what Memphis has put together going into 2024. On paper, the Tigers relatively have everything in place to win the conference. And in four of the past five seasons under the previous playoff format, the AAC champ has been the New Year’s Six participant as the highest-ranked Group of 5 team.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Most people would agree that success on the football field begins and ends with the quarterback position, and in Seth Henigan, Memphis has one of the most experienced quarterbacks in all of college football. Henigan, who has actually begun since his true freshman season, will be the unusual quarterback to start four years at one university. Silverfield said other schools tried to pluck Henigan from his lineup last season, however after conversation, it was clear to both sides that absolutely nothing needed to alter.”We were very honest with one another, extremely transparent like him and I have constantly been,”Silverfield stated.”I think commitment is getting harder to discover in college football. “Mentioning commitment and continuity: Silverfield remains in his ninth year at Memphis, having actually signed up with Mike Norvell’s personnel in 2016 as an offending line coach.”Even as an assistant, I said I’m going to be loyal to a location. And Seth and I share that same belief.

Like, ‘Hey, guy, this location can be truly helpful for us if we stick around. ‘It was to me and it’s been to him. And I believe he sees the fruits of his labor settling. “Henigan stated the chance to leave emerged after Memphis’Liberty Bowl success, but he recognized quickly there was no good reason to leave. The lack of turnover across the board at Memphis made it a steady place for him to finish his college career.”Before that, I had no factor to leave, “Henigan said.”I had a great group of guys around me, my roommates have been here nearly my entire time here.

Exact same head coach. He stated he was remaining. So all my people were remaining. My offending planner is back for our third year together. So there was no reason to leave. “Because Memphis has actually seen Henigan develop considering that he was a 17-year-old starter, the expectations in Year 4 are the most significant they have actually ever been, Silverfield stated.” The first year was finding out

the offense, second year was finding out defenses, and after that third year was mastering all of it and putting the pieces together, and now he needs to take control of games.

“Henigan’s not alone on offense. He’s surrounded by more talent than ever previously. On the outdoors, Roc Taylor and Demeer Blankumsee restore a combined 1,984 getting backyards from 2023.

Mario Anderson, who was South Carolina’s leading rush in 2023, moved to Memphis in the offseason and will be paired with junior Sutton Smith, who had 457 scrimmage backyards last season.Defensively, Memphis had a hard time in 2023, ranking 114th in overall defense. But of the 19 protectors who started a minimum of one game in 2023, 12 are back. This is a more experienced group, led by linebacker Chandler Martin, who had the

most tackles, TFLs and sacks on the group last season.To shore up the system, Silverfield struck the portal with intent. Of the 29 transfers Memphis generated, 20 of them were on the protective side, consisting of Tennessee’s leading tackler, linebacker Elijah Herring.”I think having the quarterback and the

1,000-yard receiver reveal they’re coming back, and all-conference linebacker, you state, ‘OK, those are the core pieces, ‘”Silverfield said.After attending to the group’s leading requirements(safety and take on )in the website, Silverfield opted for depth.”I stated,’OK, we do not need to head out and get game changers. But let’s go get some defensive pieces that can [contribute],'” he said.

“I believe that’s what you’ve got to do, right? I have actually remained in the NFL previously, and you attempt to include– individuals do

n’t like to use this term– complimentary representatives where you can. “Now that the Tigers have depth, Silverfield believes they can play their ideal style of ball.” I wish to be a group that comes out and is playing quickly and physical for 60 minutes,”he stated.” Now, that does not imply we’re South Florida trying to get 90 plays on offense. But it’s droves and droves of these guys simply showing up, lining up, hitting [them]

on the damn mouth.”We still wish to be a physical brand of football. But that does not imply we can’t be explosive. And I think the greatest thing for us to win games this year, we’ve got to limit the [explosive plays] on defense and continue to be an explosive offense. So if someone’s gon na state

,’Man, what is this team? ‘They’re explosive. But on defense, that doesn’t indicate you’re blitzing every play, but being versatile sufficient to be able to get some stops and do some things.” Martin said the defense has something to show this season.”We’re passing’ dark side ‘this year,”he stated.” We’re having fun with a chip on our shoulder, having fun with an edge, and we’re always the underdogs, no matter who we step on the field with.”That’s not to state that everything is major. Martin says that the defense is inspired, however likewise having fun.”We have a good time playing. Football is becoming more and more of a company,” he stated. “But every day we’re out there chuckling, having fun, playing around, flying around, so anticipate a good item this year.”

A great product would lend itself to that sought after AAC championship, and a playoff look.”I can’t truly promote all my colleagues,”Henigan stated,”But I understand for me personally, it [adds] more fuel to the fire, simply being able to play in a College Football Championship game. … That’s a fantastic opportunity for our whole program.” However 2024 suggests more for Memphis than simply a potential playoff appearance, and that’s not lost on Silverfield and his group. Memphis has typically been brought up in discussions as a team that could possibly make the leap to a power conference. Silverfield stated that while he’s focused on the football season, it would”

be absurd on my part”to not remain in the loop on the potential for a future conference dive. “We comprehend the implications of what it appears like,” he stated.”I think if anyone saw what happened in this conference long enough … you see what takes place to these other groups in our conference that have invested. I believe our school … our administration comprehends the value of having effective football. What a playoff berth could do.

Competing for champions year in and year out is our best bet to maybe see what else is out there in the ever-changing realignment world. I believe none people sit here and envision that it’s done.”However none of that likely matters if Memphis does not manage organization this season. And in spite of their relatively complete toolbox, the course will not be simple. Roadway games against Florida State, USF, UTSA and Tulane will make Memphis grind to make its method to the playoff.”The ramifications exist, for both the university and for myself,”Henigan stated.”Everything boils down to this season. That’s sort of

my frame of mind. It’s the culmination of three years.” And now we’re turning that corner and we’re the team to beat.”