By Khala Hoyle
The Memphis Tigers have wasted no time making their presence felt in the 2025 college football season. With only five games in, Ryan Silverfield’s squad sits at 5–0, fueled by an offense that has been both efficient and explosive. Behind a dominant rushing attack, a steady dual-threat quarterback, and mistake-free execution in the red zone, Memphis has emerged as a legitimate American Athletic Conference contender.
Offensive Breakdown
Through five games, Memphis averages nearly 40 points per game and 6.8 yards per play. The Tigers have scored on every red-zone possession (19-for-19), a stat that reflects both control and execution.
Memphis has rushed for more than 1,200 yards at 6.0 yards per carry, with 19 rushing touchdowns already on the board. Lewis has passed for nearly 800 yards with five touchdowns while also serving as a key contributor in the rushing attack. Big plays define this offense. Smith’s long runs against Arkansas and Desrosiers’ 90-yarder vs. FAU are proof of the Tigers’ home-run ability.
Memphis throws less than 40 percent of the time, but Lewis’s 66 percent completion rate and just three interceptions keep the passing game effective. Memphis transfigures nearly 47 percent on third down and has been flawless in the red zone.
Defensive Breakdown
Memphis allows just 18.0 points per game — a top-25 mark nationally. While they’ve given up yards (especially through the air), they’ve excelled in situational football.
Memphis has allowed only 3.3 yards per carry, ranking among the AAC’s best. The interior line has been stout, with consistent gap discipline. The Tigers average nearly 3 sacks per game, with edge rushers consistently winning one-on-one battles. This was evident in the Troy game when the front seven dominated from start to finish. Opposing QBs have had success through the air, especially Arkansas and FAU, who combined for more than 600 passing yards.
This unit plays aggressive and combative coverage but can be vulnerable to big plays. Memphis has forced 8 turnovers in five games, including two critical interceptions against FAU. The defense thrives on creating momentum. Teams are scoring on only 65% of red-zone trips against the Tigers, making this a significant swing stat that keeps rivals off the scoreboard.
The Tigers’ defense will face many challenges and forces in AAC play. Tulsa and North Texas rely on tempo and quick passing, while Navy and USF present the biggest threats with physical offensive lines and strong quarterback play. The ability of Memphis’s secondary to tighten coverage will be crucial if the Tigers want to remain undefeated.
Memphis’s defense has complemented its high-powered offense with discipline, toughness, and timely playmaking. If the defense continues to generate pressure and force turnovers, Memphis will remain in the AAC title hunt deep into November.
What’s To Come
Memphis will now shift its focus to conference play. The schedule brings diverse challenges: Tulsa and UAB present manageable defensive fronts, while Navy and USF loom as tougher tests with stronger lines and disciplined defenses. How Memphis responds when its run game is slowed could determine its hopes for the AAC title.
The Tigers have built an identity around a punishing ground strike, opportunistic and timeserving passing, and mistake-free execution inside the 20. It’s a formula that has delivered five straight wins and positioned the Tigers as one of the AAC’s most dangerous teams. If the offense continues to produce at this level, Memphis has the firepower to compete for a conference championship — and possibly more.
