It’s been an offseason of change for the Memphis Tigers. The Tigers lost another head coach to a top tier program in the ACC with the departure of first Justin Fuente and now Mike Norvell.

Fuente and Norvell combined to win at least eight games for each of the last six seasons, so Ryan Silverfield has his work cut out for him.

Silverfield has never been a head coach at the collegiate level, and he has only been an assistant at Memphis for the last four years.

He will make his coaching debut on Saturday night when the Tigers host the Arkansas State Red Wolves. This game will be broadcast on ESPN at 8 p.m. ET on September 5.

College Football Betting Odds

Memphis Tigers -19.5 vs. Arkansas State Red Wolves, O/U 74.5

This is the first time that these schools have met, but they have both been among the best Group of Five schools.

Memphis has made six straight bowl appearances and played in one of the New Year’s Six games, while Arkansas State has made nine straight bowl games and has been a model of consistency under Blake Anderson.

QB Experience goes to Memphis

Brady White is one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the country. White has started for Memphis the last two seasons, and he has done a great job of getting the ball to his play-makers.

He completed 62.8 percent of his passes for 3,296 yards with 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions as a sophomore, and he was even better last year as a junior.

White completed 64 percent of his passes for 4,014 yards (9.6 YPA) with 33 touchdowns and 11 picks, leading Memphis to its first outright AAC title.

Opt-Out Issues

Unfortunately, the Tigers won’t have one of the most explosive players in the country this season. Kenneth Gainwell decided to opt out of the 2020 campaign, depriving Memphis of a player that accounted for over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 16 touchdowns last year.

Auburn transfer Asa Martin and Kylan Watkins are more than capable in their own right though, so Memphis shouldn’t suffer too much of a loss here.

Wide-Open Value

White will have one of the best returning receivers in the conference in Damonte Coxie. Coxie caught 76 passes for 1,276 yards and nine touchdowns last season, and he is looking to post his third consecutive 1,000-yard season. He turned it on when Memphis needed it the most last year, exploding for 310 yards and a touchdown in two games against Cincinnati and 132 yards against Penn State in the Cotton Bowl.

In the Red Trenches

The Red Wolves are solid in the front six with Forrest Merrill and Caleb Bonner in the mix for all-Sun Belt honors. However, Arkansas State lost its best pass rusher as William Bradley-King went to Baylor as a grad transfer. The secondary is a real concern too with four sophomores projected to start.

Red Wolves Betting Analysis Picks

Two QBs never better than 1

Logan Bonner’s 2019 campaign came to an end after just four games due to a thumb injury, and he will be the starter coming into this season. He was solid in victories over Southern Illinois and UNLV, and he nearly led the Red Wolves past SMU in the season opener.

Bonner completed 59.5 percent of his passes for 1,052 yards with 10 touchdowns and an interception last year, but his accuracy was a little off considering how often he was throwing underneath passes. Layne Hatcher replaced Bonner last season, and he is expected to take some snaps in this game, although he is not much of a mobile threat.

Put your ‘Big Boy’ pants on!

This offensive line has a ton of experience, so that will help whoever is under center. Marcel Murray averaged 4.8 YPC in 2019 and is back for another season, while the wide receiver corps has a ton of senior talent with Jonathan Adams Jr., Brandon Bowling, and Dahu Green looking to replace Omar Bayless’ massive production.

Expose the Tigers

Memphis has a very good secondary with experienced corners in Jacobi Francis and T.J. Carter, but the front seven is a concern. Penn State gashed this unit in the Cotton Bowl, and the Tigers surrendered 4.5 YPC in 2019.

Memphis Arkansas State Picks

These two teams have the potential to score plenty of points, but Memphis’ quick strike ability will be too much for Arkansas State to overcome.

• Score Prediction: Memphis 55 Arkansas State 29
• Best Bet: Memphis -19.5 / Over 74.5