Tiger Football Podcast The Commercial Appeal

Welcome to another week of the Memphis Football podcast! Columnist Mark Giannotto and beat writer Evan Barnes are back to breakdown the end of the Tigers' season with a win in the First Responder Bowl.

How much does the bowl win mean? Coach Ryan Silverfield and players said it could be momentum but that might have change with three starters now in the transfer portal. Mark and Evan break down the aftermath of the departures as well as what changes Memphis should make with this roster that has to replace, as of now, 13 starters.

Evan discusses some of the Tigers' biggest offseason needs as well as the AAC landscape in 2023 with several top teams losing key players, too. Mark chimes in to assess how Silverfield's fourth season will be crucial to decide how the program goes forward on his watch.

Will the recent class of 2023 signees help change things? Will spring practice ease or confirm concerns or should fans wait until August to see if their feelings change about Silverfield and the Tigers? We break that down and more as the podcast takes its winter break until spring practice in March.

Welcome to another week of the Memphis Football Podcast! Columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes take stock of Memphis' regular season after the Tigers went 6-6.

The guys addressed this week's big news that coach Ryan Silverfield will return for a fourth season. They break down why it's not surprising but also what it means for 2023 and his future. Will Silverfield win back fans who've turned on the program? How much does Memphis need to win to secure his future?

Mark and Evan also discuss bowl game projections ahead of Sunday's bowl selection show. The Independence and Frisco Bowl representatives being present at Memphis' loss to SMU serve as a reminder that the AAC will likely pit the Tigers against a non-Power Five opponent.

Finally, the guys look ahead to what changes might come this offseason. The transfer portal opens on Dec. 5 so how important will it be for Memphis to keep certain players? What are priorities for them to look for in the portal? How will Memphis replace key seniors who've exhausted their eligibility?

Welcome to another week of the Memphis Football Podcast! Columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes take you through a busy week for the Tigers facing SMU (2:30 p.m., ESPN2) on Saturday.

The guys react to Memphis' 59-0 win over North Alabama but spend more time breaking down Memphis athletic Laird Veatch's email asking donors to contribute more to name, image and likeness funds for Tigers players. Is it a sign of the Tigers' athletic department state of affairs or just part of the new era for Memphis trying to remain competitive as well as maintain and attract players to the school.

This week's special guest is Joseph Hoyt, who covers SMU football for the Dallas Morning News. Joseph breaks down how SMU has been in a wild season with scoring and allowing plenty of points and also how the Mustangs have two NIL collectives that aren't shy about paying players. He also breaks down the prolific SMU senior tandem of quarterback Tanner Mordecai and receiver Rashee Rice, who leads the nation in receiving yards.

Mark and Evan also offer their thoughts on the Tigers' latest bowl projections, Memphis-SMU and what a Memphis win would mean to end the regular season. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and thank you for listening to the Tigers Football Podcast this season.

Welcome back to another week of the Memphis football podcast! Columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes react to the Tigers finally ending their four-game losing streak by beating Tulsa.

With a bowl game in sight if Memphis beats North Alabama Saturday (1 p.m., ESPN+), the guys analyze what it means for Memphis to be in position for a ninth consecutive bowl game. They also discuss Mark's interview with AAC commissioner Mike Aresco last week and why it's imperative the Tigers take stock of these final games to address several issues this offseason.

Saturday is also Senior Day and Evan spoke to several seniors on how they feel about the program as they prepare to leave. There's disappointment on where things have fallen since 2019 but hope that things can change with the next two games and a potential bowl game.

The guys wrap up the show discussing their thoughts on Memphis' bowl projections and even make some guesses of their own.

Welcome to another week of the Memphis Football podcast! Columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes return as they not only recap the Tigers' fourth straight loss, they look ahead to hosting Tulsa on Thursday night (6:30 p.m., ESPN)

The Tigers' (4-5, 2-4 AAC) mistakes - three empty red zones inside the Central Florida 10-yard line, two interceptions by Seth Henigan, going for it on 4th-and-16 in the third quarter - proved costly in a tight game. The guys break those down and why Memphis' longest losing streak since 2013 means more pressure on coach Ryan Silverfield's job security.

With the Tigers needing to win two of three games to be bowl eligible, few people are happy with another struggling season. Mark dives in to give a deep autopsy of the program and the dilemma the Memphis administrators are facing on how to evaluate both Silverfield and this season.

Mark and Evan also break down what to expect from a struggling Tulsa (3-6, 1-4) team as well as shout out Glenn Rogers Sr., the program's first Black player who will be honored at halftime Thursday.

Welcome back to another week of the Memphis football podcast! Columnist Mark Giannotto and beat writer Evan Barnes are well rested just like the Tigers after an open week and they break down Saturday's matchup hosting No. 25 Central Florida (2:30 p.m., ESPN2)

The guys break down UCF's strengths and why Memphis (4-4, 2-3 AAC) can score an upset based on recent history hosting ranked opponents. They also tackle how important this game is for the rest of the season with the Tigers chasing bowl eligibility, the program struggling to maintain interest, and the louder speculation surrounding coach Ryan Silverfield's future.

This week's special guest is Jason Beede, who covers UCF (6-2, 3-1) for the Orlando Sentinel. Jason updates on UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, who was injured in the Knights' win over Cincinnati, and what Memphis should expect if the Knights play backup quarterback Mikey Keene. He also discusses how the Knights' run game/defense have carried them to a strong second season under coach Gus Malzahn.

Finally, Mark and Evan predict how Memphis can beat UCF by identifying one thing the Tigers need to do on Saturday.