The final score of Memphis football's 38-13 win over UAB on Oct. 10 doesn't tell the full story of the game.
The Tigers (5-1, 2-0 American Conference) trailed at halftime before going on a 28-0 run to earn what will go into the books as a blowout win over the Blazers (3-3, 1-1). Memphis' defense imposed itself on UAB during the second half in similar fashion to the way the Tigers took control after the break in wins over UNLV and Arkansas State.
And while the result never really felt like it was in doubt, there's plenty for the Tigers to work on. They committed seven penalties for 74 yards, including a running into the kicker penalty that extended a UAB first-half drive and led to a field goal.
"Those are the things that we can't do," coach Charles
Huff said after the game. "Those are the things that championship teams don't do. Those are the things that teams that are trying to achieve a goal don't do. The game is too hard to shoot yourself in the foot. Those are the things that we've got to improve on."
Improvement has been the top storyline the past month as Memphis has mostly cruised to three straight blowout wins. The Tigers lost to Boise State on Sept. 12 in a result that seriously hampered their College Football Playoff hopes. It was also the last time — and the only time all season outside of the opener at UNLV — where Memphis faced real second-half adversity. The Tigers have won their first two conference games by a combined 76 points.
It means that Huff has had to warn his team about issues that might not affect them in the short term, but could be problems down the road.
"If we self-impose issues, good teams will catch you," he said. "And we're going to have some good teams on the schedule. We've got one coming up in six days."
Memphis football's upcoming games
Memphis' conference schedule looked difficult in the offseason, but it has appeared lighter and lighter almost every week since the season actually kicked off. Next up is a matchup against Tulane on Oct. 16 (6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN).
The Green Wave (2-3, 0-1) have been the class of the American the past four years and have gone to four straight conference title games. But they have looked listless under new coach Will Hall this season and lost their conference opener at Army on Oct. 10.
After that is East Carolina, which opened conference play with a win over Rice on Oct. 10 but has not looked particularly inspiring this season. Then it's Army, which might end up being Memphis' trickiest matchup of the season, but it already lost to South Florida.
On Nov. 12, Memphis faces those Bulls, who already have two conference losses and appear to be at least a year away from conference title contention under new coach Brian Hartline. The following game is against Navy, which entered the season as a favorite to win the conference but has already lost two American games as well, including to UAB. The Tigers close the regular season against a Temple team that is currently 2-4 overall.
All of that begs the question: When will Memphis be tested?
It might be a while. Huff, like most coaches, almost certainly will continue to tout his upcoming opponents' strengths and highlight why they're dangerous. Some of those teams have enough talent to be able to cause problems for the Tigers. But it's looking more and more like a down year for at least the top of the American.
All the Tigers can do is play the team in front of them.
"Just keep building, stacking," Memphis defensive end J'Mond Tapp said.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis football has cruised to 2 conference wins. When will Tigers be tested?
