Welcome to another week of the Memphis Football podcast! Columnist Mark Giannotto and beat writer Evan Barnes are back to breakdown the end of the Tigers' season with a win in the First Responder Bowl.

How much does the bowl win mean? Coach Ryan Silverfield and players said it could be momentum but that might have change with three starters now in the transfer portal. Mark and Evan break down the aftermath of the departures as well as what changes Memphis should make with this roster that has to replace, as of now, 13 starters.

Evan discusses some of the Tigers' biggest offseason needs as well as the AAC landscape in 2023 with several top teams losing key players, too. Mark chimes in to assess how Silverfield's fourth season will be crucial to decide how the program goes forward on his watch.

Will the recent class of 2023 signees help change things? Will spring practice ease or confirm concerns or should fans wait until August to see if their feelings change about Silverfield and the Tigers? We break that down and more as the podcast takes its winter break until spring practice in March.

Welcome to another week of the Memphis Football Podcast! Columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes take stock of Memphis' regular season after the Tigers went 6-6.

The guys addressed this week's big news that coach Ryan Silverfield will return for a fourth season. They break down why it's not surprising but also what it means for 2023 and his future. Will Silverfield win back fans who've turned on the program? How much does Memphis need to win to secure his future?

Mark and Evan also discuss bowl game projections ahead of Sunday's bowl selection show. The Independence and Frisco Bowl representatives being present at Memphis' loss to SMU serve as a reminder that the AAC will likely pit the Tigers against a non-Power Five opponent.

Finally, the guys look ahead to what changes might come this offseason. The transfer portal opens on Dec. 5 so how important will it be for Memphis to keep certain players? What are priorities for them to look for in the portal? How will Memphis replace key seniors who've exhausted their eligibility?

Welcome to another week of the Memphis Football Podcast! Columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes take you through a busy week for the Tigers facing SMU (2:30 p.m., ESPN2) on Saturday.

The guys react to Memphis' 59-0 win over North Alabama but spend more time breaking down Memphis athletic Laird Veatch's email asking donors to contribute more to name, image and likeness funds for Tigers players. Is it a sign of the Tigers' athletic department state of affairs or just part of the new era for Memphis trying to remain competitive as well as maintain and attract players to the school.

This week's special guest is Joseph Hoyt, who covers SMU football for the Dallas Morning News. Joseph breaks down how SMU has been in a wild season with scoring and allowing plenty of points and also how the Mustangs have two NIL collectives that aren't shy about paying players. He also breaks down the prolific SMU senior tandem of quarterback Tanner Mordecai and receiver Rashee Rice, who leads the nation in receiving yards.

Mark and Evan also offer their thoughts on the Tigers' latest bowl projections, Memphis-SMU and what a Memphis win would mean to end the regular season. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone, and thank you for listening to the Tigers Football Podcast this season.

Welcome back to another week of the Memphis football podcast! Columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes react to the Tigers finally ending their four-game losing streak by beating Tulsa.

With a bowl game in sight if Memphis beats North Alabama Saturday (1 p.m., ESPN+), the guys analyze what it means for Memphis to be in position for a ninth consecutive bowl game. They also discuss Mark's interview with AAC commissioner Mike Aresco last week and why it's imperative the Tigers take stock of these final games to address several issues this offseason.

Saturday is also Senior Day and Evan spoke to several seniors on how they feel about the program as they prepare to leave. There's disappointment on where things have fallen since 2019 but hope that things can change with the next two games and a potential bowl game.

The guys wrap up the show discussing their thoughts on Memphis' bowl projections and even make some guesses of their own.

Welcome to another week of the Memphis Football podcast! Columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes return as they not only recap the Tigers' fourth straight loss, they look ahead to hosting Tulsa on Thursday night (6:30 p.m., ESPN)

The Tigers' (4-5, 2-4 AAC) mistakes - three empty red zones inside the Central Florida 10-yard line, two interceptions by Seth Henigan, going for it on 4th-and-16 in the third quarter - proved costly in a tight game. The guys break those down and why Memphis' longest losing streak since 2013 means more pressure on coach Ryan Silverfield's job security.

With the Tigers needing to win two of three games to be bowl eligible, few people are happy with another struggling season. Mark dives in to give a deep autopsy of the program and the dilemma the Memphis administrators are facing on how to evaluate both Silverfield and this season.

Mark and Evan also break down what to expect from a struggling Tulsa (3-6, 1-4) team as well as shout out Glenn Rogers Sr., the program's first Black player who will be honored at halftime Thursday.

Welcome back to another week of the Memphis football podcast! Columnist Mark Giannotto and beat writer Evan Barnes are well rested just like the Tigers after an open week and they break down Saturday's matchup hosting No. 25 Central Florida (2:30 p.m., ESPN2)

The guys break down UCF's strengths and why Memphis (4-4, 2-3 AAC) can score an upset based on recent history hosting ranked opponents. They also tackle how important this game is for the rest of the season with the Tigers chasing bowl eligibility, the program struggling to maintain interest, and the louder speculation surrounding coach Ryan Silverfield's future.

This week's special guest is Jason Beede, who covers UCF (6-2, 3-1) for the Orlando Sentinel. Jason updates on UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, who was injured in the Knights' win over Cincinnati, and what Memphis should expect if the Knights play backup quarterback Mikey Keene. He also discusses how the Knights' run game/defense have carried them to a strong second season under coach Gus Malzahn.

Finally, Mark and Evan predict how Memphis can beat UCF by identifying one thing the Tigers need to do on Saturday.

Welcome to another week of Memphis Football Podcast! It's the open week edition but columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes are still working hard to dissect the Tigers after a third consecutive loss.

The guys discuss if fans should be more disheartened by Memphis trailing 35-0 at halftime at Tulane or proud of their second half fight. They also take the temperature surrounding coach Ryan Silverfield as more fans are disgruntled and more national writers suggest his job could be in danger.

With four games remaining, the next month isn't just important for the Tigers' season but for the administration to decide what to do regarding Silverfield even if Memphis reaches a bowl game.

Mark and Evan wrap things up by praising one part of the Tigers' offense and defense and noting one thing that's been disappointing with each group. The Tigers will be back next Saturday hosting UCF (2:30/3:00 p.m., ESPN2/ESPNU).

Welcome to another week of the Memphis Football Podcast! Columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes break down the Tigers' gut-wrenching, quadruple overtime loss to East Carolina.

The guys assess the state of the program and coach Ryan Silverfield after a second consecutive loss while leading by at least 17 points. They also go over the key moments from last week's game, including the failed two-point conversion in second overtime. Can Memphis rebound at No. 25 Tulane on Saturday (2:30 p.m., ESPN2) or should fans be worried about how the program regressing?

We're also joined by this week's special guest Guerry Smith, Tulane beat writer for NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune. He breaks down how the 6-1 Green Wave are off to their best start since 1998 and why Tulane's defense has become one of the nation's best in scoring and passing defense.

Welcome to another week of the Memphis Football Podcast! Columnist Mark Giannotto and beat writer Evan Barnes return to discuss the aftermath of the Tigers' shocking 33-32 loss to Houston despite leading by 19 points in the fourth quarter.

Fans might question decisions from Friday's loss but while Evan noted how many past issues this season flared up in the collapse, Mark takes a different view on what decisions coach Ryan Silverfield were baffling or understandable. The duo discuss how Memphis can avoid a similar situation to last season where the Tigers suffered a collapse against UTSA and it led to a three-game losing streak that derailed the 2021 campaign.

The episode wraps up looking at Saturday's game at East Carolina (6:30 p.m., ESPNU). At 4-2, Memphis is right where many expected to be, including us, but can they get right against a tough ECU offense? How important will this game be given that a red-hot Tulane team is lurking next week?

Welcome back to another week of the Memphis Football Podcast! Columnist Mark Giannotto and beat writer Evan Barnes break down the Tigers' win over Temple and a busy short week ahead of facing Houston on Friday (6:30 p.m., ESPN2).

Mark and Evan discuss how fans should feel about a 4-1 Tigers team, concerns about the offense and if the Tigers' defense-first identity will help ahead as the schedule gets tougher. They also discuss what to make of the team's low attendance through three home games and how things hopefully will improve in the final AAC regular season matchup with the Cougars.

This week's guest is longtime Houston beat writer Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle. Duarte breaks down what's gone wrong with a Cougars team that's struggled since being a preseason Top 25 team. He also addresses how Houston views this rivalry as it extends to men's basketball as well as football.

Welcome back to another episode of the Memphis Football Podcast! Columnist Mark Giannotto and football beat writer Evan Barnes break down the Tigers' 44-34 win over North Texas.

The guys break down how well the defense played with three takeaways but also the concerns about the offense not looking so explosive. Does it emphasize how much the Tigers (3-1, 1-0) will rise or fall on the right arm of quarterback Seth Henigan?

There's no special guest this week so Mark and Evan go deeper into the Tigers' matchup with Temple (2-2, 0-0) on Saturday (11 a.m., ESPNU) to resume AAC play. How important is this game with the conference looking wide open? How should Memphis attack a Temple defense that's third nationally in sacks and fifth in passing defense?