Lofty Expectations For Local College Football

Mississippi and Memphis football squads are now in camp prepping for the 2009 college football season. Both teams have high expectations and their opening game at the Liberty Bowl should set the tone for the rest of the year.

Mississippi is riding high off of Houston Nutt's first season and strong Cotton Bowl win over Texas Tech. Ranked in the top 10 in some pre-season polls, Ole Miss will be lead by QB Jevan Snead and defensive leaders like Greg Hardy.

The scheduling gods were very kind to the Rebels with key SEC games against Alabama, LSU and Tennessee all being in Oxford. Aside from injuries, the only thing that could throw a wrench into Ole Miss' dream season are two games again FCS schools.

With a talent-rich teams and a favorable schedule, look for Mississippi to finish up the season 10-2 or 9-3.

For the first time in a good while, Memphis fans are talking about quality talent on Tigers football team. Veterans like Carlos Singleton and Duke Calhoun both return along with several transfers from SEC schools. The big question mark will remain at quarterback. Memphis QB's were often injured last season and more of the same could doom the Tigers in 2009.

The schedule will not do much to help the Tigers. Home games against Mississippi and ECU are helpful, but key conference road games against Houston, Tulsa and USM are going to be tough. And lets not forget a road trip to Knoxville in November.

An interesting out of conference game will be against UT-Martin. Martin is a pre-season FCS top 25 team that will be a tough early season test for the Tigers. Memphis should win, but Martin will bring their A game.

This seems to come up every year, but this could be a make or break season for Tommy West. Expectations are high and fans are hungry for a conference championship and bigger bowls. Is West on the hot seat? It remains to be seen. Wins over rivals make everything better.

Factoring in the schedule, 7-5 seems to be a realistic expectation for this year.