LightningStrikes! Wrote:

gomemphistigers1 Wrote:the only problem i have with MTSU is that there's no upside...if we win, great...no big shock...but MTSU CAN beat us (in football), and if they do...we would understand why...but everyone else will simply say, "how the hell did you manage to lose to MTSU?"

I think that's too arrogant an opinion. Memphis isn't that good, and Middle is not that bad. In fact, I would not be surprised if Middle is the favorite.

Yes is does come off as arrogant but that is the reality of it. It is the same thing we have to deal with when we play teams in the SEC.
C-USA is just a stronger football conference overall than the Sunbelt.

Now for a little perseptive on on 2-10 season last year:

1. Prior to the season starting our head coach Tommy West had heart surgery. People are just recently saying that he is back to his old self.

2. We played two SEC team (Ole Piss & UT Knoxvegas) and lost both. The Ole Miss game was close and we only lost by three (28-25) playing in their house. UT killed us no excuses.

3. After the third game of the season Coach West fired the DC, Joe Lee Dunn. It was bad timing but something that was a long time coming. This put our defense in shambles as they had to learn a new system. In our final two games of the season we only upset confernce champs Houston but lost in OT (23-20) and did upset UTEP (38-19).

4. Related to #3 our offense struggled last year with a first year D-1 QB. Martin Hankins had great stats in D-II but struggled as times last year. It was not all his fault. Our play calling was what could be called awful and we could not stay on the field long enough to give our poor defense a break.

For more info check out: http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/mem/...wrapup.pdf

I think you guys may be putting a little too much stock in the fact that we finished last year 2-10. It should be a good game, and while I am not going to guarantee a Tiger victory, I do believe that we will win because our coaching situation has settled down, we have a QB with a year under his belt, our recieving corps is probably going to light up your defense (just a little flame ) and our defense should be stronger than the wet paper towel that is was a year ago.

See you at the Liberty Bowl 10/13/2007 for the showdown!

MemphisTigerPawr Wrote:

LightningStrikes! Wrote:I would not be surprised if Middle is the favorite.

You guys are on our schedule as a "buy" game.

A "BUY" game! Give me a break! That's laughable.

Speaking strictly about the series itself, not this year's game, I have no problem with it. I think others might, but I don't.

I believe neither team is in a position to talk smack except in good general fun. Accepting last season as a fluke, this is the year to see if Coach West can win without an iconic running back. Middle Tenn is, well, Sunbelt.

OneShiningMoment Wrote:Wow, 3 MTSU fans all of a sudden started posting about the MTSU/Memphis game the last 2 days. Coincidence????

No, it is certainly not a coincidence.

Just use a bit of Shakespearian logic and these things become quite clear.

How refreshing to see the obligatory line about not being "the type to come to another teams board and talk a lot of big smack" yet immediately predicting a 7 point victory. Glad you are not here to talk smack!

I anticipate a very nice crowd for the October 13 game against the Blue Raiders. MTSU will bring about 5000 IMHO. I hope they come spend the weekend, as the weather should be quite pleasant then.

We will just have to see how this game plays out.

mjaytee Wrote:I believe neither team is in a position to talk smack except in good general fun. Accepting last season a fluke, this is the year to see if Coach West can win without an iconic running back. Middle Tenn is, well, Sunbelt.

True to an extent, but we did go to a bowl game. We didn't lose to CMU any worse than the MAC runner up did.

boss man Wrote:

OneShiningMoment Wrote:Wow, 3 MTSU fans all of a sudden started posting about the MTSU/Memphis game the last 2 days. Coincidence????

No, it is certainly not a coincidence.

Just use a bit of Shakespearian logic and these things become quite clear.

How refreshing to see the obligatory line about not being "the type to come to another teams board and talk a lot of big smack" yet immediately predicting a 7 point victory. Glad you are not here to talk smack!

I anticipate a very nice crowd for the October 13 game against the Blue Raiders. MTSU will bring about 5000 IMHO. I hope they come spend the weekend, as the weather should be quite pleasant then.

We will just have to see how this game plays out.

Look Tiger fans. If we went 2-10 and you guys went to a bowl game, I would predict Memphis to win. Especially if we had a common opponent that the you guys obviously handled better in the same year. I'm not talking smack. You just can't face facts, OSM.

BlueRaiderFan111 Wrote:

boss man Wrote:

OneShiningMoment Wrote:Wow, 3 MTSU fans all of a sudden started posting about the MTSU/Memphis game the last 2 days. Coincidence????

No, it is certainly not a coincidence.

Just use a bit of Shakespearian logic and these things become quite clear.

How refreshing to see the obligatory line about not being "the type to come to another teams board and talk a lot of big smack" yet immediately predicting a 7 point victory. Glad you are not here to talk smack!

I anticipate a very nice crowd for the October 13 game against the Blue Raiders. MTSU will bring about 5000 IMHO. I hope they come spend the weekend, as the weather should be quite pleasant then.

We will just have to see how this game plays out.

Look Tiger fans. If we went 2-10 and you guys went to a bowl game, I would predict Memphis to win. Especially if we had a common opponent that the you guys obviously handled better in the same year. I'm not talking smack. You just can't face facts, OSM.

I think the problem that most on here have with your thinking is that the only facts that you want to look at is our record last year and our game against Arkansas State compared to your game against Arkansas State. If you actually look at more important facts, like how we fired our DC after the third game of the season and completely changed our defensive scheme in the middle of the season, or how we had twenty different players miss games due to injury and had to move some players from offense to starters on defense within a week, or how we have a new ST coordinator, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, DB coach, DL coach, WR coach, and RB coach, or if you would have even acknowledged that we return 14 more lettermen than MTSU does, then maybe more people would accept your prediction and your claim that you are presenting facts. But instead you make yourself look like an idiot because you try to use the claim that MTSU beat ASU by 28 and ASU beat Memphis by 3 therefore MTSU will beat Memphis. I can debunk that claim easily. Here are some scores from last year:

UAB 35, Memphis 29
UTEP 36, UAB 17

So looking at this you would probably assume that UTEP would easily handle Memphis. So how would you explain this score?

Memphis 38, UTEP 19

klg316 Wrote:I think the problem that most on here have with your thinking is that the only facts that you want to look at is our record last year and our game against Arkansas State compared to your game against Arkansas State. If you actually look at more important facts, like how we fired our DC after the third game of the season and completely changed our defensive scheme in the middle of the season, or how we had twenty different players miss games due to injury and had to move some players from offense to starters on defense within a week, or how we have a new ST coordinator, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, DB coach, DL coach, WR coach, and RB coach, or if you would have even acknowledged that we return 14 more lettermen than MTSU does, then maybe more people would accept your prediction and your claim that you are presenting facts. But instead you make yourself look like an idiot because you try to use the claim that MTSU beat ASU by 28 and ASU beat Memphis by 3 therefore MTSU will beat Memphis. I can debunk that claim easily. Here are some scores from last year:

UAB 35, Memphis 29
UTEP 36, UAB 17

So looking at this you would probably assume that UTEP would easily handle Memphis. So how would you explain this score?

Memphis 38, UTEP 19

It could be a match up problem with ASU, but you guys seem to struggle with them more than we do almost every time, not just in one year. As far as the other problems you mentioned, some of them only support my argument that we will win. You just replaced your DC and basically your entire coaching staff. That alone is a huge adjustment. It's a bit ridiculous to call another person an idiot when they use a 2-10 record to predict that your team is down. I mean how difficult is that to grasp? You went 2-10 and replaced a hell of a lot of coaches. Vanderbilt may have 14 more lettermen than we do, we would still beat them. You could turn it around, but I doubt you go better than .500 on the year and our coaching staff is pretty damn good too. I still say we win this game, but I admit it's not absolutely certain. I guess you guys would have to go 0-12 to admit you MAY have a problem. Then you may admit to some weakness, eh?

BlueRaiderFan111 Wrote:

klg316 Wrote:I think the problem that most on here have with your thinking is that the only facts that you want to look at is our record last year and our game against Arkansas State compared to your game against Arkansas State. If you actually look at more important facts, like how we fired our DC after the third game of the season and completely changed our defensive scheme in the middle of the season, or how we had twenty different players miss games due to injury and had to move some players from offense to starters on defense within a week, or how we have a new ST coordinator, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, DB coach, DL coach, WR coach, and RB coach, or if you would have even acknowledged that we return 14 more lettermen than MTSU does, then maybe more people would accept your prediction and your claim that you are presenting facts. But instead you make yourself look like an idiot because you try to use the claim that MTSU beat ASU by 28 and ASU beat Memphis by 3 therefore MTSU will beat Memphis. I can debunk that claim easily. Here are some scores from last year:

UAB 35, Memphis 29
UTEP 36, UAB 17

So looking at this you would probably assume that UTEP would easily handle Memphis. So how would you explain this score?

Memphis 38, UTEP 19

It could be a match up problem with ASU, but you guys seem to struggle with them more than we do almost every time, not just in one year. As far as the other problems you mentioned, some of them only support my argument that we will win. You just replaced your DC and basically your entire coaching staff. That alone is a huge adjustment. It's a bit ridiculous to call another person an idiot when they use a 2-10 record to predict that your team is down. I mean how difficult is that to grasp? You went 2-10 and replaced a hell of a lot of coaches. Vanderbilt may have 14 more lettermen than we do, we would still beat them. You could turn it around, but I doubt you go better than .500 on the year and our coaching staff is pretty damn good too. I still say we win this game, but I admit it's not absolutely certain. I guess you guys would have to go 0-12 to admit you MAY have a problem. Then you may admit to some weakness, eh?

I think I now know how UT fans feel when we come yapping at them on their message boards.

It is like ASUs Superbowl when they play the UoM.

TigersRuleAll Wrote:

BlueRaiderFan111 Wrote:

klg316 Wrote:I think the problem that most on here have with your thinking is that the only facts that you want to look at is our record last year and our game against Arkansas State compared to your game against Arkansas State. If you actually look at more important facts, like how we fired our DC after the third game of the season and completely changed our defensive scheme in the middle of the season, or how we had twenty different players miss games due to injury and had to move some players from offense to starters on defense within a week, or how we have a new ST coordinator, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, DB coach, DL coach, WR coach, and RB coach, or if you would have even acknowledged that we return 14 more lettermen than MTSU does, then maybe more people would accept your prediction and your claim that you are presenting facts. But instead you make yourself look like an idiot because you try to use the claim that MTSU beat ASU by 28 and ASU beat Memphis by 3 therefore MTSU will beat Memphis. I can debunk that claim easily. Here are some scores from last year:

UAB 35, Memphis 29
UTEP 36, UAB 17

So looking at this you would probably assume that UTEP would easily handle Memphis. So how would you explain this score?

Memphis 38, UTEP 19

It could be a match up problem with ASU, but you guys seem to struggle with them more than we do almost every time, not just in one year. As far as the other problems you mentioned, some of them only support my argument that we will win. You just replaced your DC and basically your entire coaching staff. That alone is a huge adjustment. It's a bit ridiculous to call another person an idiot when they use a 2-10 record to predict that your team is down. I mean how difficult is that to grasp? You went 2-10 and replaced a hell of a lot of coaches. Vanderbilt may have 14 more lettermen than we do, we would still beat them. You could turn it around, but I doubt you go better than .500 on the year and our coaching staff is pretty damn good too. I still say we win this game, but I admit it's not absolutely certain. I guess you guys would have to go 0-12 to admit you MAY have a problem. Then you may admit to some weakness, eh?

I think I now know how UT fans feel when we come yapping at them on their message boards.

My friend...that was funny. lol. I still like you guys better than UT. Feel better?

BlueRaiderFan111 Wrote:

klg316 Wrote:I think the problem that most on here have with your thinking is that the only facts that you want to look at is our record last year and our game against Arkansas State compared to your game against Arkansas State. If you actually look at more important facts, like how we fired our DC after the third game of the season and completely changed our defensive scheme in the middle of the season, or how we had twenty different players miss games due to injury and had to move some players from offense to starters on defense within a week, or how we have a new ST coordinator, offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, DB coach, DL coach, WR coach, and RB coach, or if you would have even acknowledged that we return 14 more lettermen than MTSU does, then maybe more people would accept your prediction and your claim that you are presenting facts. But instead you make yourself look like an idiot because you try to use the claim that MTSU beat ASU by 28 and ASU beat Memphis by 3 therefore MTSU will beat Memphis. I can debunk that claim easily. Here are some scores from last year:

UAB 35, Memphis 29
UTEP 36, UAB 17

So looking at this you would probably assume that UTEP would easily handle Memphis. So how would you explain this score?

Memphis 38, UTEP 19

It could be a match up problem with ASU, but you guys seem to struggle with them more than we do almost every time, not just in one year. As far as the other problems you mentioned, some of them only support my argument that we will win. You just replaced your DC and basically your entire coaching staff. That alone is a huge adjustment. It's a bit ridiculous to call another person an idiot when they use a 2-10 record to predict that your team is down. I mean how difficult is that to grasp? You went 2-10 and replaced a hell of a lot of coaches. Vanderbilt may have 14 more lettermen than we do, we would still beat them. You could turn it around, but I doubt you go better than .500 on the year and our coaching staff is pretty damn good too. I still say we win this game, but I admit it's not absolutely certain. I guess you guys would have to go 0-12 to admit you MAY have a problem. Then you may admit to some weakness, eh?

I think a lot of people will be surprised with the Tigers this year. Tommy West is obviously a top notch coach (3 consecutive bowl appearances in 03,04,05.) The firing of Dunn last year and installing a totally new and unfamiliar defensive scheme after our 3rd game was devastating. From what I have seen at practices this off season we are exponentially better on defense running the 4-3. As for offense, we have one of the best receiving corps in recent memory. Combine that with Hankins off season immersion in our offensive schemes and that's a deadly mix. I am exited about all of our games this year!!!

BlueRaiderFan111 Wrote:It could be a match up problem with ASU, but you guys seem to struggle with them more than we do almost every time, not just in one year. As far as the other problems you mentioned, some of them only support my argument that we will win. You just replaced your DC and basically your entire coaching staff. That alone is a huge adjustment. It's a bit ridiculous to call another person an idiot when they use a 2-10 record to predict that your team is down. I mean how difficult is that to grasp? You went 2-10 and replaced a hell of a lot of coaches. Vanderbilt may have 14 more lettermen than we do, we would still beat them. You could turn it around, but I doubt you go better than .500 on the year and our coaching staff is pretty damn good too. I still say we win this game, but I admit it's not absolutely certain. I guess you guys would have to go 0-12 to admit you MAY have a problem. Then you may admit to some weakness, eh?

The main point of my post was to point out to you more important facts that you could have considered instead of the ones you were considering. Of course we have a lot of problems. You don't go 2-10 and replace a lot of coaches if everything is peachy keen. Some of the reasons I listed were factors into our going 2-10. See how well MTSU does when they are hampered with that many injuries or completely change everything they do defensively a month into the season. Hopefully our problems have been solved and we will be much improved. Just remember before you pencil us in as win that the last two years a team from CUSA has had a tremendous turnaround season: UCF went from 0-11 in '04 to 8-5 and east division champs in '05, and Rice went from 1-10 in '05 to 7-6 and west division runners-up in '06.

T-County Tiger Wrote:[quote=BlueRaiderFan111]
[quote=klg316]


I think a lot of people will be surprised with the Tigers this year. Tommy West is obviously a top notch coach (3 consecutive bowl appearances in 03,04,05.) The firing of Dunn last year and installing a totally new and unfamiliar defensive scheme after our 3rd game was devastating. From what I have seen at practices this off season we are exponentially better on defense running the 4-3. As for offense, we have one of the best receiving corps in recent memory. Combine that with Hankins off season immersion in our offensive schemes and that's a deadly mix. I am exited about all of our games this year!!!

We had a much better defense after switching from the 3-4 to the 4-3. It's just to hard to plug the holes with the 3-4. You guys do seem to have good receivers from what I've seen, but I think our DB's and safety's can cover them to a decent extent.

klg316 Wrote:The main point of my post was to point out to you more important facts that you could have considered instead of the ones you were considering. Of course we have a lot of problems. You don't go 2-10 and replace a lot of coaches if everything is peachy keen. Some of the reasons I listed were factors into our going 2-10. See how well MTSU does when they are hampered with that many injuries or completely change everything they do defensively a month into the season. Hopefully our problems have been solved and we will be much improved. Just remember before you pencil us in as win that the last two years a team from CUSA has had a tremendous turnaround season: UCF went from 0-11 in '04 to 8-5 and east division champs in '05, and Rice went from 1-10 in '05 to 7-6 and west division runners-up in '06.

I haven't penciled in anything. I have determined that the most likely outcome with two teams that have similar talent and good coaches is that the team that is more settled wins. We aren't putting anything together. We already have it together. Our one big "IF" is our QB and because of that, I think we could lose this game. If we still had Clint Marks at QB, I would say no way we lose, but that is not the case. We have a fresh new QB that may or may not be able to handle playing the game. He's a huge question mark, so for that reason I think the game could go either way. If our QB is settled in by the time we play yo guys, I just don't see you winning. That's not a slam, just a prediction. We all know that predictions mean nothing. If any person has an honest opinion as to why you will win, I'm all for it, if it is logical. I personally can see no logical reason why we lose this game other than our QB situation is bad when we face you guys, which is highly possible.

I hope you have a DB that can cover 6ft 8 Carlos Singleton. He's injury susceptible with his height, but was the MVP of our spring game. Everyone talks about Sophomore sensation Duke Calhoun at WR-- he'll have an awesome year and will be one of the greatest Tigers of all time, but I think Singleton might be the top receiver this year. I'm predicting he will have a huge game against Ole Miss.
I think this will be a very good game, but am more worried about playing MTSU two or three years down the road. We won't be taking any games for granted this year, and I'm pretty sure we have this game circled on the schedule. The reason I say this is our athletic department received alot of flack about signing Ark. St. and MTSU as OOC opponents, and I have a hard time believing we'll lose focus this year.
MTSUs biggest advantage is being overlooked by opponents, just like we used to do. Ask Louisville from last year and Florida from a few years go how dangerous that can be. MTSU can definitely beat us (I'm predicting one loss for Memphis every 3 times we play them) but I don't think that loss will come this year. However, I am predicting them to upset Virginia and go to the New Orleans Bowl.

Also we have almost two weeks off before this game and MTSU plays VA the weekend before us and rival Ark. State the week after us.

I had a dream last night Memphis beat MTSU something like 50-14, (cant remember exact score but it was close to this) guess we will see soon enough.

MtownTigers916 Wrote:I hope you have a DB that can cover 6ft 8 Carlos Singleton. He's injury susceptible with his height, but was the MVP of our spring game. Everyone talks about Sophomore sensation Duke Calhoun at WR-- he'll have an awesome year and will be one of the greatest Tigers of all time, but I think Singleton might be the top receiver this year. I'm predicting he will have a huge game against Ole Miss.
I think this will be a very good game, but am more worried about playing MTSU two or three years down the road. We won't be taking any games for granted this year, and I'm pretty sure we have this game circled on the schedule. The reason I say this is our athletic department received alot of flack about signing Ark. St. and MTSU as OOC opponents, and I have a hard time believing we'll lose focus this year.
MTSUs biggest advantage is being overlooked by opponents, just like we used to do. Ask Louisville from last year and Florida from a few years go how dangerous that can be. MTSU can definitely beat us (I'm predicting one loss for Memphis every 3 times we play them) but I don't think that loss will come this year. However, I am predicting them to upset Virginia and go to the New Orleans Bowl.

That is a tall receiver, but we do have:

Damon Nickson Class: Jr.
Position: S
Height: 6-0
Weight: 177 pounds
Previous School: Milton
Hometown: Milton, FL
2006: Voted Second Team All-American by SI.com as a kick returner to become first All-American at MT in the I-A era ... Named First Team All-Sun Belt Conference as a defensive back and as a return specialist (first Blue Raider to be a first team selection for two different positions since Dee Mostiller in 1996) ... Started all 13 games and enjoyed a career-best season for the Blue Raiders ... Had 61 tackles on the season to go along with three tackles for loss, a sack, five interceptions, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble ... As a kickoff returner, Nickson had 21 returns for 605 yards (third on single-season list), two touchdowns, and a 28.8 (second on single-season list) per return average to rank fifth nationally ... Named a semifinalist for the inaugural Randy Moss Return Specialist Award on Nov. 13 ... Was listed as the starter at strong safety following a productive spring ... Collected two tackles and a pass breakup in the Blue-White Spring Game ... Earned the Blue Raider Safety award for his play during the spring ... Played the second most snaps (74) on the team in win over FIU and responded with six tackles to earn a "winning performance" by the coaching staff ... Had four tackles at Maryland in 55 plays ... Tallied three stops, including a tackle for loss, in win over Tennessee Tech to earn a "winning performance" ... Registered four tackles in 54 plays at Oklahoma ... Had three tackles in win over North Texas and earned a "winning performance" ... Was tabbed the Sun Belt Conference Special Teams Player of the Week after setting a school record with 187 kickoff return yards on six attempts against Louisville ... His first career return against the Cards went for 88 yards and a touchdown and made Rivals.com Plays of the Week while also being featured on ESPN SportsCenter and ESPN College Gameday ... He also led the Blue Raiders on defense with seven tackles and an interception and earned a "winning performance" on special teams ... Collected five tackles including a tackle for loss at Louisiana-Monroe to go along with a kick return for 35 yards and earned a "winning performance" for defense and special teams ... Set a school and Sun Belt Conference record with four interceptions against Louisiana-Lafayette to go along with six tackles, a forced fumble, two kickoff returns for a 29.5-yard average, and his first collegiate punt return for 14 yards ... His performance at ULL earned him the Walter Camp and the Bronco Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honors along with the Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week award ... Named the Sun Belt Conference Special Teams Player of the Week after returning the second half kickoff against FAU 94 yards for a touchdown (fifth longest in school history and the fourth longest in SBC history) ... Collected seven tackles against ASU to equal his career-best ... Had five tackles, a pass breakup, and his first career sack against South Carolina ... Added four tackles and a pass breakup against Troy ... Had five stops against Central Michigan in Motor City Bowl.

2005: Saw action in all 11 games, including three as a starter ... Also played extensively on special teams ... Registered a career-best 35 tackles on the year to go with three pass breakups ... Did not register a tackle until the Akron game when he collected two ... Enjoyed his best game of the year at Vanderbilt with six stops (five solos) and a pass breakup ... Had two tackles and a pass breakup at FAU and was in on three stops against ULL ... Registered four tackles in win over Arkansas State ... Earned the start as an extra safety against Louisiana-Monroe and responded with seven tackles (five solos) ... Started at safety in place of an injured Jeremiah Weaver and collected two tackles ... Collected four tackles in his second straight start at Troy ... Added five tackles in season finale at FIU.

2004: Played in all 11 contests with six starts, collecting 23 tackles, one interception, and one pass breakup ... Tallied one tackle at Louisiana-Lafayette and North Texas ... Totaled four tackles and first career interception versus Arkansas State in first career start ... Registered season-high six stops and a pass breakup versus Idaho ... Recorded two stops versus Louisiana-Monroe and in finale at Troy.

High School: Played both quarterback and defensive back for Milton ... Registered 59 tackles, four interceptions, eight pass breakups, and three forced fumbles on defense ... Passed for 550 yards and six touchdowns, while rushing for 479 yards and eight scores on offense ... Voted third team all-state and tabbed District I Most Valuable Player by the Florida Coaches Association after leading team to a 9-2 record ... Also earned all-area honors ... Was a member of the track team.