Memphis Tigers is 2-0 on the season, 2-0 against the spread, and holds a power rating of +2.5. Memphis Tigers enters the season with a power rating of +2.5, placing them above average relative to the FBS midpoint. The Memphis Tigers head to Boise State next in Week 2. In 2025, Memphis Tigers went 8-5 overall, 8-5 against the spread, and 6-7 on totals.
In Week 1 of 2026 the Memphis Tigers Power Rating of +2.5 is 2.5 points above the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. Memphis Tigers have logged 2,834 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 10,519 miles, ranking 25th heaviest in the FBS.
Marcus Stokes QB, Air Noland QB, Jaylin Carter RB, Manny Covey RB, Dallan Hayden RB, Alante Brown WR, Tychaun Chapman WR
Mike Montgomery LB, Ian Foster S, J'Mond Tapp DL
Harrison Tuck P
| After | Record | ATS | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| Week 2 | 2-0 | 2-0 | 0-2 |
| Week 3 | 3-0 | 3-0 | 0-3 |
| Week 4 | 4-0 | 4-0 | 1-3 |
| Week 5 | 5-0 | 5-0 | 2-3 |
| Week 6 | 6-0 | 6-0 | 2-4 |
| Week 8 | 6-1 | 6-1 | 2-5 |
| Week 9 | 7-1 | 7-1 | 3-5 |
| Week 10 | 8-1 | 8-1 | 4-5 |
| Week 11 | 8-2 | 8-2 | 5-5 |
| Week 12 | 8-3 | 8-3 | 6-5 |
| Week 14 | 8-4 | 8-4 | 6-6 |
| Postseason | 8-5 | 8-5 | 6-7 |
A season record is a record, not a forecast. Blue Chip Analytics' own research finds that beating the closing line repeats at close to zero from one season to the next - see most underrated and overrated teams. Read the table as what happened, not as what is likely to happen next.
Opened +6.0 in the preseason and finished +11.4 after the postseason, a move of +5.4 points. High +11.4 (the postseason), low +5.0 (week 2).
PrePost
SP+ is an independent opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, one of the systems blended into the Blue Chip Analytics power rating rather than a Blue Chip Analytics number itself. Defensive SP+ measures points allowed, so a lower figure is a better defence - the rank beside it already accounts for that.
Source spread is how far apart the independent rating systems are on this team, not a margin of error on our own number. A wide spread means the models disagree, which is itself worth knowing.
The measured and applied home field advantage agree to within 0.4 points here, so smoothing changes little for this venue.
| Opponent | Met | Record | ATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas State | 4 | 4-0 | 1-3 |
| Boise State | 1 | 1-0 | 0-1 |
| Charlotte | 2 | 2-0 | 0-2 |
| UAB | 3 | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| Tulane | 10 | 5-5 | 3-7 |
| East Carolina | 5 | 2-3 | 3-2 |
| South Florida | 6 | 5-1 | 3-3 |
| Navy | 10 | 6-4 | 3-7 |
| Temple | 6 | 4-2 | 3-3 |
No meeting on record since 2016: UNLV, UT Martin, Army.
Week 010,519 mi total
| Week | Opponent | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | UNLV | 1,417 mi | 2,834 mi |
| Week 1 | Arkansas State | Home | 2,834 mi |
| Week 2 | Boise State | 1,513 mi | 5,859 mi |
| Week 3 | UT Martin | Home | 5,859 mi |
| Week 4 | - | Bye | |
| Week 5 | Charlotte | 523 mi | 6,904 mi |
| Week 6 | UAB | Home | 6,904 mi |
| Week 7 | Tulane | 357 mi | 7,618 mi |
| Week 8 | East Carolina | Home | 7,618 mi |
| Week 9 | Army | Home | 7,618 mi |
| Week 10 | - | Bye | |
| Week 11 | South Florida | 660 mi | 8,939 mi |
| Week 12 | Navy | 790 mi | 10,519 mi |
| Week 13 | Temple | Home | 10,519 mi |
| Week 14 | - | Bye | |
| Week 15 | - | Bye | |
| Week 16 | - | Bye | |
| Postseason | - | Bye | |
Charles Huff's first season at Memphis began with a statement: a 27-21 road victory over UNLV, making him the first Tigers head coach to win his debut away from home. The win came despite a roster overhaul and a hostile environment in Las Vegas, showing early resilience. Marcus Stokes, the Division II transfer quarterback, threw for 223 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover, while Jaylin Carter added 97 rushing yards and a score. The defense recorded six sacks and 11 tackles for loss, including a crucial fourth-down stop late. This result provides immediate credibility for the new staff and a foundation of confidence heading into the rest of the season.
Marcus Stokes won the starting job and delivered in the opener, completing 15 of 26 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns, including a 48-yard strike to Stonka Burnside. His poise and accuracy were key, especially after a slow first half. Air Noland, the South Carolina transfer, remains a capable backup, but Stokes's performance suggests he has adapted quickly to Kevin Decker's spread offense. The challenge now is consistency: Stokes faced an experienced UNLV defense and will see tougher tests in conference play. If he continues to protect the football and make big plays downfield, the Tigers' offense can exceed expectations.
The defensive front, anchored by Southern Miss transfer J'Mond Tapp, was the difference against UNLV. The Tigers recorded six sacks and 11 tackles for loss, constantly pressuring quarterback Jackson Arnold and forcing a key turnover on downs in the fourth quarter. This performance is a positive sign for Lance Guidry's 4-2-5 scheme, which relies on pressure from the front four. However, the linebacker corps remains thin beyond Mike Montgomery, with limited career tackles among the backups. If the defensive line can sustain this level of disruption, it will mask some of those depth concerns and keep Memphis competitive in every game.
Memphis's special teams unit, featuring return specialists Ian Foster, Alante Brown, and Manny Covey, was expected to be a wildcard, and it delivered in the opener. While no return went for a touchdown, the threat of a big play kept UNLV's punting and kickoff units honest. Philippe Laforge also connected on field goals of 32 and 36 yards, providing the winning margin. Foster, who led the nation in long kickoff returns as a freshman at Marshall, and Brown, who averaged 53.5 yards per return last season, give the Tigers a chance to flip field position in tight games. This phase could be a decisive edge in conference matchups.
After traveling over 1,400 miles to Las Vegas for the opener, Memphis returns home for a Week 1 matchup against Arkansas State, where they are favored by 11 points. The Tigers have a 1-0 record and a power rating of 2.54, suggesting they are a solid mid-tier team. The schedule ahead includes several winnable games, but the American Athletic Conference slate will test their depth. The key will be maintaining the defensive intensity shown against UNLV while continuing to develop offensive cohesion. If Stokes and the running back trio of Carter, Manny Covey, and Dallan Hayden can build on their early success, Memphis has a realistic path to competing for the AAC title, a goal Huff has set for his first season.
Memphis Tigers is 2-0 against the spread in the 2026 season, covering 100% of games.
Memphis Tigers holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of +2.5, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
Memphis Tigers's home field advantage rating is 2.2 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
Memphis Tigers's consensus regular-season win total for 2026 is 7.5 wins, priced at -120 over and -110 under. This is the betting market's expectation, not a Blue Chip Analytics projection.
Memphis Tigers travels 10,519 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 25th heaviest in the FBS.
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
Memphis Tigers: 2-0 overall, 2-0 ATS, power rating +2.5 (2026 records).
.png)
