The Tigers have earned optimism at 5–1. Their first half against UAB still belongs in the conversation before the trip to Tulane. There was plenty for Memphis to like about Saturday, especially the part after halftime.
Tigers Den: Memphis Can’t Let a Good Finish Hide a Slow Start.
The Tigers outscored UAB 28–0 in the second half and won 38–13, moving to 5–1 overall and 2–0 in the American. The first half was less reassuring. Memphis trailed 13–10, and the eventual margin should not make that stretch disappear from the review.
The Second Half Gives Memphis a Useful Standard
The Tigers demonstrated what they could do against UAB. They ran the ball productively, took it away and kept the Blazers from scoring after the break. That makes the first half worth understanding.
The passing game had a rough start, and UAB found early success rushing the ball. Memphis eventually gained control, but the opening problems deserve a closer examination.
Was the passing difficulty primarily execution, protection or the opponent’s approach? What changed as the game progressed? “Start faster” is easy to say. Identifying what prevented it is more useful. The second half gives Memphis a standard. The review should help the Tigers reach it sooner.
Memphis Has Support When One Part of the Team Struggles
Jaylin Carter finished with 132 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The defense forced three turnovers and shut UAB out after halftime. Those are substantial resources for a team dealing with an uneven passing performance.
Memphis showed it could recover without asking one component to fix everything. That is encouraging, but it should not encourage acceptance of another slow beginning.
The value of a dependable running game and defense is that they give a team more ways to function. The next objective is to have those strengths working before a halftime deficit develops. Saturday offered a win and enough evidence for a productive review. Memphis should use both.
The Road Trip Brings a Quick Opportunity
The Tigers visit Tulane on Friday, October 16, with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Central. A short turnaround makes preparation important, and a road game gives Memphis good reason to seek a steadier opening performance.
The Tigers have earned a positive assessment at 5–1. That assessment can still include an unresolved question. A team does not have to apologize for a comfortable victory to acknowledge that it spent part of the afternoon making the game harder than necessary. Against UAB, Memphis proved it could fix a game. At Tulane, it gets another chance to bring a more complete one.
