Preseason Rankings Shake Up Group of Six
The latest preseason AP Top 25 poll delivered a stark picture for the Tigers, who found themselves absent from the rankings entirely. Only two voters placed Memphis among the receiving votes, a modest tally that paled in comparison to the 43 points earned by Boise State, the standout representative of the Group of Six.
Across both the AP and US LBM Coaches polls, no team from the Group of Six cracked the top 25, underscoring the structural challenge faced by programs outside the Power Five. Memphis, however, did manage to collect a handful of points in the coaches poll, reflecting a modest but tangible acknowledgment of the program’s potential.
The vote distribution revealed a cluster of mid‑major teams vying for limited attention. Boise State topped the group with 43 points, effectively positioning itself at No. 28 in the broader conversation, while Navy followed with ten points. Memphis’s two points placed it alongside a handful of other contenders, including Tulane and Liberty, each receiving a single vote.
Beyond the Group of Six, traditional powerhouses such as Clemson and Florida garnered significant support, with Clemson earning 112 points and Florida 51. Yet the spread of votes across a wide array of programs illustrated the competitive depth of college football this season, where even smaller programs can earn a voice in the national dialogue.
Looking ahead, Memphis will open its season on August 29 against UNLV before traveling to face Boise State on September 12. These early matchups present an opportunity for the Tigers to translate preseason curiosity into on‑field performance, potentially boosting their profile in future polls.