The Mustangs travel to Memphis Saturday for a Conference USA match-up against the Memphis Tigers.
This weekend is Homecoming weekend for Memphis. In their six years in conference, the Mustangs have only played the Tigers twice, losing both games.
The first meeting in Memphis was a 55-52 triple-overtime loss for SMU. Along with looking to pick up their first win over the Tigers, defensive end Margus Hunt will be looking to break the record for most blocked kicks in an NCAA career.
Quarterback J.J. McDermott and running back Zach Line will likely have another big offensive performance with the Memphis defense that is ranked 109 out of 120 schools, allowing an average of 540 offensive yards per game.
The Tigers have also been outscored 112 to 44, so scoring should not be a problem.
McDermott will look to improve the Mustang pass game that is ranked an impressive 19 in the country. Line moved into an elite group of running backs this past Saturday with five touchdowns against Northwestern State. He is tied for first place with eight touchdowns this season.
However, one Tiger player that McDermott will have to worry about is senior defensive back, Lavaris Edwards, who was a star sprinter in high school in South Florida.
Another top player for Memphis is freshman quarterback Taylor Reed, a familiar name for SMU fans, but it is not the Mustang starting linebacker they are used to hearing about.
Memphis’ quarterback is coming off a 332-yard, three touchdown performance against Austin Peay State University.
Triple-threat senior wide receiver, Billy Foster, might be an issue for the SMU defense. The wide receiver not only has skills catching the ball, but can also run with the ball and leads the team in punt return yards. Foster averages 122 all-purpose yards per game.
The Mustangs are 2-1 in the 2011 season and 1-0 in Conference USA play and look to start the season 3-1, something they have not done as a member of Conference USA.
The Mustangs went 6-2 in conference games last season with both losses in away games. The Tigers are 1-2 this season, and open conference play Saturday in this game. Memphis went 0-8 in Conference USA last season, losing all four games at home.
Although the Liberty Bowl happens to be an unlucky stadium for the Tigers, the field could be of importance for the Mustangs.
If the Mustangs have another successful season against Conference USA, SMU could return to Memphis for the 53rd Autozone Liberty Bowl.
For those not traveling to the game on Saturday, it will be televised on Fox Sports Network. The game begins at 11:00 a.m.
