Memphis will begin the 2020 star-time football season across the state of Arkansas (7:00 p.m.ESPN) at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Saturday.
Arkansas State is the Tigers’ oldest rival dating back to 1914, but the groups have not played since 2013, which will release a four-year series until 2023 before the four-year series resumes in 2026.
The game will also be Ryan Silverfield’s first home game after training last season at the Cotton Bowl.As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, it will be a verification of protection protocols only between the two teams, but also in the Liberty Bowl.
Here are five things to keep in mind before Saturday’s game:
With a capacity of 4,500 enthusiasts due to security protocols, Saturday’s crowd will not look like any of Memphis’ recent history.Last year’s season opener with Ole Miss had more than 44,000 enthusiasts announced.
When will it appear without a tailgating and enthusiasts will spread for 12 feet inside Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium?What will half-time look like without the organization of the Tigers and the team of cheers on the field?It may fade after the start, however, it will by no way be a typical start to the season.
Memphis averaged 40.7 issues last season, while Arkansas State had 33.7.Arkansas State finished 10th last season on air offensive, seven more than the Tigers.
Arkansas State captured all two headlines on the offensive.Even though Kenneth Gainwell has chosen not to participate this season, Memphis still has some firepower with the return of Brady White and Damonte Coxie.
Presumably the Tigers’ first game will have more than 25 problems combined, such as last year’s win over Miss Ole.
Logan Bonner will start with the Red Wolves, but the Tigers expect to see Layne Hatcher as well.Hatcher started the last nine games for Arkansas State last season.
Memphis is no stranger to quarterbacks. They saw it last season Temple and in their two Cincinnati victories.
By the time in the consecutive season, the Tigers are receiving a makeover thanks to a new coordinator: Mike MacIntyre inherits a defense that Silverfield says is the most internal since he was an assistant in 2016.
But aside from experience, how temporarily are things going to go after there’s been no spring practice?The offensive had the luxury of continuity with Kevin Johns remaining as coordinator.Attack?
Rodrigues “Dreke” Clark is already in the sensible sense of the intensity chart to the runner opposed to Gainwell when he pitched on Monday.Now, the six-foot, two-hundred-pound mississippi moment will play a bigger role.
Expect to see Asa Martin and Kylan Watkins also have litters, but Clark will be the first to take Gainwell’s place.It is also overwhelmed with confidence after playing as a true first year last year.
“(I’m just trying) to keep my head cool, focus on the game plan and get out.I don’t have many words because I do that,” Clark said this week.
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