OFFENSE

After the Tigers lost 11 games for the first time in the program's nearly 100-year history, second-year coach Larry Porter has installed a spread-oriented attack, mindful that playing in Conference USA requires the ability to score points in bunches. To that end, he shook up some of his staff's responsibilities, giving quarterbacks coach Kevin McGiven — familiar with the spread at his previous stops — the playcalling duties. New offensive line coach Blake Miller was given the title of co-offensive coordinator. Porter is hoping the changes will boost an offense that ranked 119th nationally in scoring (14.4 ppg) and 117th overall (285.0 ypg).

Former junior college transfer Andy Summerlin sits atop the depth chart at quarterback after sophomore Ryan Williams opted to transfer. Summerlin was in the mix last year but injured his shoulder in the spring and missed the season. He should get healthy competition from Wake Forest transfer Skylar Jones and freshman dual-threat Taylor Reed. Jones completed 13 of 27 passes for 119 yards last year, but is a better athlete than a proven quarterback. 

The team's top returning running back is Jerrell Rhodes, a hard-nosed, physical, between-the-tackles runner. He’ll receive help from mid-year enrollee Jamere Valentine, a 6'1", 215-pound junior college transfer who was signed as a receiver.Junior Marcus Rucker returns as the team's deep threat and most experienced receiver after catching 41 passes for 704 yards and eight touchdowns.

The only returning starter up front is senior left tackle Ron Leary, who began his career blocking in a spread offense and will end it operating out of that scheme.

DEFENSE

The strength of the defense, and perhaps the team, will be on the defensive front. Tackles Frank Trotter and Dontari Poe have the ability to play at the next level. Trotter, a senior, finished second on the unit with 80 tackles and had a team-high16.5 tackles for a loss. Poe, a 6'5", 350-pound junior, played the role of run-stopper but has also spent plenty of time in opposing backfields.

While the linebacking corps lost one of the leading tacklers in the country in Jamon Hughes, it may gain in athleticism. Former Auburn Tiger DeRon Furr has battled migraines at various times during his career, but he’s a playmaker. He had seven tackles for a loss a year ago and was second among linebackers with 58 stops.

The Tigers ranked 116th nationally in pass defense last season, but several potentially productive defensive backs return, including a pair of sophomore cornerbacks — Mohammed Seisay, who was impressive in spring workouts, and Taurean Nixon. Safety Derek Smith is expected to return after missing the 2010 season with a knee injury.
 

SPECIALISTS

Porter found a diamond in the outback last year, convincing former Australian Rules Football player Tom Hornsey to handle the punting duties. Hornsey earned Freshman All-America honors by averaging 42.7 yards per punt. Junior Paulo Henriques is a productive veteran who made 14-of-18 field goal attempts. The return game was abysmal, ranking 120th in punt returns and 117th in kick returns.

FINAL ANALYSIS

Memphis has won only three games the past two seasons, the lowest win total during a two-year stretch since 1985-86, and Porter faces another challenging task as he implements a new offense with a new quarterback. Defensively, the Tigers are in a two-year slide, too. The growth of a young secondary will be key to a reversal of fortune on that side of the ball. Memphis appears headed for another last-place finish in C-USA’s East Division.