Tiger Football Podcast

Football season is back and so is the Memphis Tigers Football Podcast! Ahead of Mississippi State on Saturday (6:30 p.m., ESPNU), the podcast welcomes Stefan Krajisnik, who covers Mississippi State for the Clarion Ledger. Stefan breaks down what to watch from the Bulldogs and if they're seeking revenge or just want to welcome the Tigers with fans ringing cowbells. Finally, Mark and Evan give their predictions for Memphis' final record and if this will be a bounce-back year that fans can rally behind. 

Memphis is still in offseason mode but there's still things going after National Signing Day and the release of the schedulethis month. Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes break down their early expectations of the schedule. Should Tigers fans be hopeful or concerned? Is 7-8 wins a fair prediction this early? They also discuss Memphis' signing class and what it means that Memphis added more junior college players than in 2021. They also give their first impressions of new coordinators Tim Cramsey and Matt Barnes and the benefits and challenges they'll bring coming in. Finally, we wrap with some NFL Draft talk after Calvin Austin III and Dylan Parham had strong showings at the Senior Bowl. Could Memphis see multiple draft picks this year? Time will tell.

Memphis is going to the Hawaii Bowl on Dec. 24 (7 p.m., ESPN) and there's reason to celebrate. But there's also reason to look back at this season and not be satisfied with the journey. Tigers football beat writer Evan Barnes is joined by men's basketball beat writer Jason Munz as they revisit the highs from Memphis' 33-28 win over Tulane. They look at what going to an eighth consecutive bowl game means for the program and try to predict which Mountain West team the Tigers could face. More: Memphis football grades: Why Tigers earned straight A's in win over Tulane GIANNOTTO: Memphis football kept its bowl streak alive. It meant more to Ryan Silverfield than anyone else Finally, they evaluate the Tigers' 6-6 record and ask what changes must be done going forward. Should Memphis fans be satisfied or concerned with how the team looked getting to Hawaii.  

There's plenty at stake for Memphis hosting Tulane Saturday. If the Tigers lose, they won't be bowl eligible and coach Ryan Silverfield's seat gets much hotter. On this week's Tigers Football Podcast, columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes dive into why Memphis needs to win its regular season finale. They look at the pressure surrounding Silverfield given how inconsistent the program has been in his two seasons. Regardless what happens, Silverfield is facing many questions about where the program is headed. A win against a 2-9 Tulane team can change the tenor but a loss makes the noise even louder than things are sinking fast.

Memphis (5-5) is once again back at .500 and so this week's Tigers Football Podcast asks if the Tigers can still reach bowl eligibility? They also ask if the Tigers' inconsistent season is part of a bigger problem over the past two years. Want a weekly breakdown of all things Grizzlies, Tigers and 901 FC? Consider subscribing to our Memphis Sports newsletter. Columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes also go back to Memphis' failed two-point conversion in its loss to East Carolina. They could understand  the decision but saw other things that highlight lingering issues, starting with an offense that's struggling to score. They also look ahead to Friday's game against No. 17 Houston. Can the Tigers pull off another upset or are they running into the best team they'll face all season?

This week's Memphis Football Podcast is another victory edition. We break down the highs and concerns from the Tigers' upset win over SMU last week. Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes break down the return of quarterback Seth Henigan, Memphis' successful gambles on 4th down and the Tigers' best defensive effort of the season. They also talk about how the Tigers found another way to elevate their play in November, a trend since 2016. Finally, we look towards Memphis hosting ECU Saturday (11 a.m., ESPN+) looking to extend its November winning streak of 17 games since 2016. A win makes the Tigers bowl eligible for an eighth consecutive season but an ECU win means the Pirates will be bowl eligible for the first time since 2014.

Two years ago, Memphis hosted SMU in one of the highlights in program history. A crowd on Beale Street for ESPN's "College GameDay" and a nationally televised game where the Tigers won 54-48. On this week's Tigers Football Podcast, we discuss where Memphis stands as a program now hosting No. 24 SMU on Saturday (11 am., ESPNU). Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto returns from paternity leave and joins football beat writer Evan Barnes analyzing how the last two years have gone. The duo also discuss the quarterback situation and if they think Seth Henigan will return vs. SMU or if Memphis will have to turn to Peter Parrish again. They break down the advantages/disadvantages and what the Tigers need to do differently with the offense to keep up with SMU. Finally, they discuss the matchup. Can Memphis hang with the SMU receivers? Can the defense keep improving from the past two weeks? Or are the Tigers in danger of seeing their 16-game November streak end and facing questions about bowl eligibility.

Memphis (4-4, 1-3) enters its open week with more questions and fans worried. Will quarterback Seth Henigan (shoulder injury) be healthy to play vs. SMU? Is bowl eligibility in jeopardy? Commercial Appeal football beat writer Evan Barnes and men's basketball beat writer Jason Munz dive into those concerns on this week's Tigers Football Podcast. They recap the struggles against UCF as quarterback Peter Parrish started his first game since his senior year of high school. They also touch on an interesting topic. Memphis got eight transfers from Power Five schools but four have been hurt and only one transfer has been a regular contributor. Is that a sign of bad luck or bad evaluation at positions the Tigers need help in? Finally, the duo look ahead to the Tigers' final four games. Can the Tigers get to six wins to qualify for a bowl game and which games - if any - are winnable in November?

A rivalry is renewed as Memphis travels to Central Florida looking for its first win at the Bounce House. Commercial Appeal football beat writer Evan Barnes is joined by special guests this week with men's basketball beat writer Jason Munz and preps writer Khari Thompson. The trio recap Memphis' much-needed win over Navy and break down what the Tigers need to do to beat UCF. They also discuss if receiver Calvin Austin III deserves more national attention as one of the most productive players in the country. Finally, they also discuss AAC realignment news with reports the conference is set to add six new members.

Things are shaky for Memphis as the Tigers deal with their first three-game losing streak since 2015. Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes break down the Tulsa loss and the recurring problems such as turnovers, defensive lapses and more. They also look ahead to assess if Memphis can turn its season around or if the schedule presents too many hurdles. Finally, they dive into Thursday's night game with Navy and why Navy's struggles either present a chance for the Tigers to get right or stay wrong if they continue their mistakes.

After an unexpected week off, the Memphis Football Podcast returns to diagnose what's gone wrong during the Tigers' two-game losing streak. Are the Tigers' fumbling problems the biggest concern? Is it time for fans to panic with a 3-2 team? Columnist Mark Giannotto and beat writer Evan Barnes break down the positives of the offense but also some adjustments. They dive into the problems with a Tigers' defense ranked near the bottom nationally in almost every major category. They wrap things looking ahead to Memphis at Tulsa on Saturday (8 p.m., ESPN2) as well as changes coming to Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, which will have a new name and perhaps more renovations on the way. 

Welcome back to an exciting Tigers football podcast! There was much to say after Memphis defeated Mississippi Stateand we cover it all plus more in a lengthy episode. Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes discuss all the highs from Saturday, including Calvin Austin III's insane punt-return touchdown and the reaction from the SEC. They also discuss the key moments of the Tigers' win and where things stand after a 3-0 start. The duo also look over the AAC landscape and how the Tigers stack up to their conference peers. Finally, they discuss Saturday's game with Texas-San Antonio (2:30 p.m., ESPNU) and why the Roadrunners are a classic "trap game" opponent.

Welcome back to the Memphis football podcast! This week's show looks ahead to the Tigers (2-0) hosting Mississippi State (2-0) on Saturday (3 p.m., ESPN2) for the first time since 2011. Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes recap last week's wild win over Arkansas State and if fans should be concerned about the Tigers' defense. If they couldn't slow down Arkansas State, can the Tigers contain Mississippi State's Air-Raid offense? We discuss the keys to the game and also the implications for Memphis trying to impress national observers with conference realignment in the news. The game will also honor former Tigers receiver Isaac Bruce, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer.  There will also be a pregame moment of silence for former Tigers linebacker Danton Barto, who died in August from COVID-19. Both Bruce and Barto were on the 1993 Memphis State team that was the last to defeat Mississippi State.

Welcome back to the Memphis Football Podcast! This week, we break down what we liked about the Tigers' win over Nicholls State to start the season. Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto and Tigers football beat writer Evan Barnes break down Seth Henigan'sdebut, the latest injury news on Grant Gunnell and a deep dive into this week's realignment news on UCF, Houston and Cincinnati reportedly submitting applications to leave the AAC for the Big 12. Finally, we look ahead to Arkansas State (1-0) on Saturday (6 p.m., ESPN+). Can Memphis handle its first road test and its first trip to Jonesboro since 2012. For fans of this long-standing rivalry, it should be a great atmosphere as Memphis tries to improve to 2-0 on the season.

Welcome back to the Tiger Football Podcast! We'll be with you all season starting Saturday as the Tigers host Nicholls State (6 p.m., ESPN+) Columnist Mark Giannotto and Tigers football beat writer Evan Barnes return to break down the Tigers' quarterback battle. Will fans see both Grant Gunnell and Seth Henigan on the field. Could Keilon Brown also make an appearance? We also discuss the first depth chart, including the new running back rotation and several transfers noticeably absent on offense or still in position battles. How much will the Tigers' experienced defense have to carry this team until the offense finds a rhythm? Finally, we offer some season predictions at the end. Stay tuned all season as we help guide you through the ups and downs of another Tigers season.

This week's Memphis Football Podcast wraps up the 2020 season looking back at the memorable moments and also how the offseason is shaping up well for spring practice. Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto, football beat writer Evan Barnes and men's basketball beat writer Jason Munz dive into the Tigers' trips through transfer portal as well as who announced they will return for 2021.  After the Montgomery Bowl, Memphis picked up quarterback Grant Gunnell from Arizona and Michigan State duo Devontae Dobbs (linebacker) and Julian Barnett (defensive back). How does Gunnell affect the quarterback race to replace Brady White Transfers have made offseasons far more interesting and the portal, along with the Tigers' returning depth could be a boon for coach Ryan Silverfield's second full season. *This podcast was recorded prior to Memphis adding another transfer Wednesday in Arkansas wide receiver Shamar Nash, a former four-star recruit and Memphis native. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Memphis football podcast, we dive deep into a busy week for the Tigers. We recap the last second win over Houston and look ahead to the Montgomery Bowl where they will face Florida Atlantic on Dec. 23 (6 p.m., ESPN) Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes also look back at the Tigers' regular season. Was it a success? Is playing 10 games in a pandemic worth cheering over despite on-field issues? Who are the players that Tigers fans should be excited for next season? We also tackle AAC commissioner Mike Aresco's comments on the College Football Playoff and if the Tigers or any non-Power Five school truly has a chance to reach it. Finally, we discuss the key takeaways from Memphis signing 15 players in its 2021 signing class. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Memphis Football Podcast, we break down the Tigers' disheartening loss to Tulane that highlighted all of the season's issues. Poor running, not enough points and a defense that let another AAC quarterback have a season-best day. Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes also look at of Ryan Silverfield's first season as head coach into the regular season finale Saturday with Houston. What underclassmen give Memphis hope for next season? How do you assess Silverfield in a year affected by the COVID-19 pandemic? Finally, we look at this week's bowl projections and what Memphis' best options are. Here's a hint, not a lot of love for Birmingham. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Tigers Football Podcast, we discuss the Memphis defense playing its best game of the season to beat Navy in spite of the offense having its worst game of the season. Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes break down all the goods from the Tigers' first win at Navy. They also look ahead to the Tigers going to Tulane Saturday and why scoring 10 points won't be enough. They also update where things stand in the AAC championship game race and discuss Memphis quarterback Connor Adair no longer being with the team for this season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On a pre-Thanksgiving edition of the Tigers Football Podcast, we look back at Memphis getting a feel-good win over Stephen F. Austin thanks to a strong second half and Calvin Austin's all-around performance. Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto, football beat writer Evan Barnes and basketball beat writer Jason Munz also assess where Memphis stands facing Navy (6 p.m., CBS Sports) on Saturday. Can the Tigers finally beat the Midshipmen on the road for the first time? How will Navy look after not playing in nearly a month. We also discuss coach Ryan Silverfield's comments on the high number of transfers this season within Memphis and around college football. He thinks part of it could be from potential NCAA legislation granting players a one-time transfer without penalty of sitting out a year. We break down how Memphis could be affected by that in 2021-22 if the transfer exemption is approved. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Even though Memphis had an unexpected week off, there was plenty to talk about on this week's Tigers Football Podcast. We discussed Memphis' struggles on offense as outlined by offensive coordinator Kevin Johns this week. Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto, football beat writer Evan Barnes and basketball beat writer Jason Munz also discuss the AAC's recent postponements as well as the Tigers losing two of their top-ranked commitments for 2021. Finally, they went over USA Today's story from this week on how LSU mishandled sexual misconduct allegations, including allegations against football players. Memphis quarterback Peter Parrish was mentioned in the story as he was suspended for a year by LSU after being accused of rape. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's edition of the Memphis football podcast, we break down the Tigers' crushing loss to No. 6 Cincinnati and what it revealed about the team going forward. Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto, football beat reporter Evan Barnes and men's basketball beat reporter Jason Munz look at the lows from last week and look ahead to South Florida. Can Memphis regroup or are certain problems just going to be part of the process this season? The trio also look at the AAC standings to see if Memphis still has a path to the championship game on Dec. 19 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Memphis. Cincinnati. Nippert Stadium. Saturday morning (11 a.m.) Another candidate for AAC Game of the Year and a rematch of last year's AAC championship game Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto, Memphis football beat writer Evan Barnes and Memphis basketball beat writer Jason Munz are here to break down the matchup and offer predictions while revisiting the Tigers' win over Temple last week. The team also discusses defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre electing to stay at Memphis instead of take the Austin Peay head coaching job. Mark also goes on a rant against Cincinnati not allowing Memphis to have a walkthrough in its stadium on Friday night. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a lengthy hiatus, the Tigers Football Podcast is back. Columnist Mark Giannotto, football beat writer Evan Barnes and basketball beat writer Jason Munz begin by breaking down Memphis' epic comeback over UCF. They also discuss Damonte Coxie opting out, how the Tigers' season has unfolded since fall camp along with positives and concerns from the first three games. They end the podcast looking ahead to the Tigers hosting Temple on Saturday and how the team needs to avoid a letdown after beating UCF. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's podcast, Mark Giannotto, Evan Barnes and Jason Munz discuss Ryan Silverfield being named head coach and what success should look like.

Columnist Mark Giannotto, football beat writer Evan Barnes and basketball beat writer Jason Munz discuss the week that was for Memphis football, which includes an AAC title, Mike Norvell's departure and an ensuing coaching search.

Mark Giannotto, Evan Barnes and Jason Munz dissect the upcoming AAC Championship matchup between Memphis and Cincinnati.

On this week's podcast, Mark Giannotto, Evan Barnes and Jason Munz preview Memphis' matchup with Cincinnati, which is set for 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Mark Giannotto, Evan Barnes and Jason Munz look back at the Houston game, look ahead to USF and wonder if this is the best offense Mike Norvell has had at Memphis.

Mark Giannotto, Evan Barnes and Jason Munz recap last week's monumental moments, from "College GameDay" to taking down SMU at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.

Mark Giannotto, Evan Barnes and Jason Munz are picking every AAC game against the line this season.

Mark Giannotto, Evan Barnes and Jason Munz discuss the upcoming Memphis-SMU matchup and what it means for the football program to have ESPN's "College GameDay" in town.

Mark Giannotto, Evan Barnes and Jason Munz are picking every AAC game against the line this season.

Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto, football beat writer Evan Barnes and basketball beat writer Jason Munz look back at the Tigers' win over Tulane and discuss Kenneth Gainwell's performance, as well as what a win vs. Tulsa could mean for the future.

Mark Giannotto, Evan Barnes and Jason Munz are picking every AAC game against the line this season.

Evan Barnes, Mark Giannotto and Jason Munz recap the Tigers' loss to Temple, Joey Magnifico's catch that was ruled an incompletion and look ahead to Memphis' matchup with Tulane.

Mark Giannotto, Evan Barnes and Jason Munz are picking every AAC game against the line this season.

Mark Giannotto, Evan Barnes and Jason Munz unpack the Tigers' win over ULM, look ahead to the Temple game and try to determine just how good they are.

Mark Giannotto, Evan Barnes and Jason Munz are picking every AAC game against the line this season.

Mark Giannotto, Evan Barnes and Jason Munz look back at Memphis' win over Navy and discuss the Tigers' upcoming game vs. ULM.

Commercial Appeal columnist Mark Giannotto, Tiger football beat writer Evan Barnes and Tiger basketball beat writer Jason Munz are picking every AAC game against the line this season.

Columnist Mark Giannotto, football beat writer Evan Barnes and basketball beat writer Jason Munz discuss Thursday's Memphis-Navy game and what a win could mean.

Mark Giannotto and Jason Munz give their Week 4 AAC football picks against the line.