Memphis football vs North Texas: Score prediction, scouting report for Week 8 AAC game

Posted by Admin October 17, 2024 Football

The second half of Memphis football’s 2024 season starts with a stiff test.

The Tigers (5-1, 1-1 AAC) will host North Texas (5-1, 2-0) on Saturday (6:30 p.m., ESPNU) at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Memphis almost certainly needs to win out to have a shot at reaching the AAC title game.

Saturday’s game will be a rematch of last year’s epic 45-42 win for Memphis. In that game in Denton, the Tigers blew a 21-point second-half lead before Seth Henigan engineered a last-minute touchdown drive to win his homecoming game.

The Mean Green have a good offense and a bad defense, so they’ll provide a good test for a Memphis defense that’s been among the best in the country.

Here’s our scouting report for the game.

Can Memphis defense slow North Texas, Chandler Morris?

Henigan laid it out pretty quickly Wednesday.

“I know they’re a high-octane offense, and we have a really good defense,” he said. “So that’s kind of, I guess, a storyline.”

North Texas is the No. 5 offense in the country in terms of yards per game (507.2), and that’s mostly thanks to TCU transfer quarterback Chandler Morris. The junior is seventh in the country in passing yards (1,979), and he’s thrown 20 touchdown passes. That ties him with Miami’s Heisman candidate Cam Ward for the most in the country.

Receiver DT Sheffield has seven touchdown catches. That’s the top mark in the AAC.

Memphis’ defense continues to carry the Tigers

In a role reversal from the past few seasons, Memphis’ identity this year has been built around a stout defense. The Tigers are allowing only 15.8 points per game, which is second in the AAC behind Army.

There have been standouts all over the board, but it starts with star linebacker Chandler Martin. He’s tied for the lead in the AAC with four sacks and is first in the conference with 12 tackles for loss.

The rebuilt secondary has been a revelation, with Kobee Minor and Davion Ross both playing at an elite level at cornerback. The return of linebacker Elijah Herring has helped with Memphis’ tackling, but North Texas will provide a new test.

Can Seth Henigan, Memphis offense rebound?

Henigan is on pace for the lowest marks of his career in passing yards and touchdowns, and Roc Taylor only has 375 yards receiving after going over 1,000 yards last season.

The Memphis running back room has also been in flux. Sutton Smith was lost for the season in the first quarter of the first game, and Greg Desrosiers has been out since the Florida State game on Sept. 14.

Mario Anderson was ejected from last weekend’s win against South Florida, but he’s expected to be back against North Texas. He’s rushed for 456 yards and eight touchdowns.

Memphis vs North Texas score prediction

Memphis 35, North Texas 28. The Tigers slow down but don’t completely stop the North Texas offense. It’s a close game, but Memphis gets enough from its offense to keep winning.

Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.