and it's not because Memphis is better. This is a perfect storm. A storm I predicted would happen three years ago when Ole Miss made the colossal mistake of renewing the series with Memphis. I only had to hear Justin Fuente speak for 10 minutes to know that he would eventually turn the Tiger's fortunes around. And by the time he had his program running at full capacity, Ole Miss would be making a visit to Liberty Bowl Memorial stadium.
And now here we are. Once again. A Memphis team full of players snubbed by SEC and power five schools chomping at the bit to prove themselves. A fan base, a fan base that is never invited to the giant SEC party down the street every weekend. Yet on this day, gets to push itself in through the front door and crash the party. Everything, in terms of emotion and drive is in their favor. Everything.
And this is in no way excusing Hugh Freeze in advance for the loss. He will contribute significantly. Because Hugh Freeze has a hard time keeping his team's attention throughout the season, because his program is based on character education and love and lacks a sense of mental toughness which you need in places like Starkville and this Saturday, he will contribute. And of course the seemingly endless communication problems on defense will no doubt be exposed by a very capable, now NFL draft prospect Paxton Lynch.
A loss here will be devastating to this program. A loss to a non power five team in the third year of the third year of this class will be a below the belt punch to recruiting going forward.
You heard it here. If I'm wrong I will gleefully come back on here and admit it. I live in Memphis and Shelby County and the prospect of losing to, and living around these people is terrifying. But of course it has happened before. And I'm betting it will happen again this Saturday.
And now here we are. Once again. A Memphis team full of players snubbed by SEC and power five schools chomping at the bit to prove themselves. A fan base, a fan base that is never invited to the giant SEC party down the street every weekend. Yet on this day, gets to push itself in through the front door and crash the party. Everything, in terms of emotion and drive is in their favor. Everything.
And this is in no way excusing Hugh Freeze in advance for the loss. He will contribute significantly. Because Hugh Freeze has a hard time keeping his team's attention throughout the season, because his program is based on character education and love and lacks a sense of mental toughness which you need in places like Starkville and this Saturday, he will contribute. And of course the seemingly endless communication problems on defense will no doubt be exposed by a very capable, now NFL draft prospect Paxton Lynch.
A loss here will be devastating to this program. A loss to a non power five team in the third year of the third year of this class will be a below the belt punch to recruiting going forward.
You heard it here. If I'm wrong I will gleefully come back on here and admit it. I live in Memphis and Shelby County and the prospect of losing to, and living around these people is terrifying. But of course it has happened before. And I'm betting it will happen again this Saturday.
