BYU vs. Memphis: Miami Beach Bowl Preview With TV Schedule

The BYU Cougars had a chance to be this year’s Cinderella team after a 4-0 start to the season and a blowout win over the Texas Longhorns. However, a major injury changed things as the Cougars then lost four straight and ended the year just 8-4. It has been a different story for the Memphis Tigers as they began the year just 3-3 and finish with six consecutive victories.

As I stated earlier, junior quarterback Taysom Hill went down with an injury after just four games and he was supposed to be the key to drive the Cougars’ success this year. Senior quarterback Christian Stewart took advantage of the stellar opportunity, passing for 2,273 yards, 22 touchdowns and just six interceptions while adding four rushing touchdowns. The Cougars had seven different guys contribute over 100 yards to the run game, led by Jamaal Williams‘ 518 yards and four touchdowns. Hill still finished second on the team in rushing despite not playing in the final eight games. Mitch Mathews and Jordan Leslie were the team’s leading receivers, by far, combining for 1,596 yards and 13 touchdowns on 118 receptions.

Memphis was a pretty balanced run and pass team, ranking 62nd in the aerial game and 41st on the ground. Sophomore Paxton Lynch improved 100 percent this season, passing for 2,725 yards, 18 touchdowns and just six interceptions while completing 64 percent of his throws. Lynch also added 283 yards and a team-high 10 rushing scores. Brandon Hayes led the run game, however, with 900 yards and five touchdowns on 5.2 yards per touch. Lynch’s favorite target has been Mose Frazier who has caught 43 passes for 475 yards and three touchdowns while Keiwone Malone barely leads the team with 480 yards and two touchdowns on 39 catches.

Defensively, Memphis has been one of the most underrated units in the nation. Although the Tigers don’t exactly face the stiffest competition, they have been solid, ranking fifth in points allowed and 22nd in total yards allowed per game. The Cougars’ four losses this season have come when they allowed more than 30 points, so the defense is key to their success. The Cougars rank just 55th in points allowed and 56th in yards allowed per contest.

When: 2 p.m. EST on Monday, Dec. 22

Where: Marlins Park in Miami, Fla.

TV: ESPN

PREDICTION: BYU 31, Memphis 24

Want to see BYU take on Memphis in the Miami Beach Bowl? Check out ScoreBig for tickets.

Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].