Memphis did downplay the importance of facing Central Florida before this month. That formula will be repeated this week in front of Cincinnati.
The Tigers beat Cincinnati twice in consecutive weeks last season, adding a 29-24 win in the AAC championship game. It’s a rare scenario, however, Saturday (11am, ESPN) means Memphis knows it’s not just another game opposed to Bearcats, at number 7.
“Are we here and communicating about what happened in the past? No, however they perceive that there are a lot of chips on the table for this one,” coach Ryan Silverfield said Monday. “It’s a great game, an ESPN game, someone else. We’re excited and I think our guys will be in a position to meet this challenge. “
It will be a different environment from the 2019 AAC Championship game. Cincinnati (4-0, 2-0 AAC) will not allow enthusiasts to provide outdoors the circle of relatives of players and coaches only because of the protection protocols resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
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The two groups are also elsewhere. Cincinnati expects to weigh in school football playoffs after dominating SMU last week in a 42-13 win. Memphis (3-1, 2-1) is unranked and relies on new players in an offensive position to locate the chemistry with Quarterback Brady White.
Eleven Memphis starters who played in the championship game are on that team, but Cincinnati doesn’t care – the Tigers are waiting for an opponent motivated by revenge.
“It’s probably a game they’ve changed in their schedule,” Silverfield said. “If you’re them and I’m them, it’s probably in your weight room, this surrounded game, the Memphis logo somewhere. surely your children are upset, and rightly so. “
This will be the best game of the Memphis season after losing to SMU. At the time, the Tigers were their first game in 28 days and Silverfield said the Tigers discovered a pace after 3 games in 4 weeks.
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However, Cincinnati will be your toughest test. The Bearcats’ defensive ranks fifth nationally in allowed yards consistent with the game (4. 05), ninth in loss tackles consistent with the game (8. 75) and 18th overall defense. Cincinnati has also allowed a landing pass this season.
The Tigers face their first full-time quarterback game this season against Desmond Ridder, who ran for 179 yards, pitched 126 more and totaled four touchdowns against SMU.
Ridder hit 233 yards per air and 115 yards on the floor at last year’s AAFC championship game so the Tigers knew what to expect with their legs and arm.
What’s at stake is also superior to Memphis. The Tigers haven’t beaten a team in the top 10 since their sixth-place win over Tennessee in 1996 and a win brings them back to the name game.
But just like last season, Cincinnati stands in his way. After two direct losses to Memphis, the Bearcats return something and the Tigers know it.
“As long as we get close to that knowing that they’re going to give us the most productive of ourselves and give them the most productive of ourselves, it’s going to be a war,” said the Tigers’ open receiver, Calvin Austin III. said Saturday. ” We arrive knowing it will be a war and we are in a position to fight.
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