Through four games, Charlotte has looked like one of the worst football teams in the country.
But Memphiscoach Charles Huff called the 49ers a "really challenging opponent." The Tigers (3-1) play Charlotte (0-4) on Oct. 3 (2:30 p.m. CT, ESPN+) their American Conference opener at Jerry Richardson Stadium.
"You're not talking about a team that just can't field a team and just 66-0," Huff said at his weekly news conference on Sept. 29. "You're talking about a team, you look at the scoreboard against App State it's a one score game. You turn on The Citadel game, it goes into overtime. The Louisiana game is 10-0 going into the half. So it's been one or two plays that they just haven't made or one or two mistakes that they've made. Well, just like we're
talking about correcting those mistakes, they're having the same meetings."
The 49ers are winless with losses to The Citadel, Ole Miss, Appalachian State and Louisiana. The Citadel game in particular was a debacle against a team that has gone 0-3 against fellow FCS teams but beat an FBS opponent in Charlotte.
The 49ers have had major struggles on offense this season, but Huff said he's seen positives on film that he knows Memphis will have to prepare for.
"Their run game stresses you, because you have to make sure that you're gap sound," Huff said. "They're very committed to their system. You think of the old academies, they're going to run what they run and they run it well and they can adjust it well."
On defense, Huff said he was impressed with Charlotte defensive lineman Jamarrion Solomon, who "gets off the ball really well."
Ultimately, it'll be an important game for Memphis because it's the conference opener. While the Tigers had an up-and-down nonconference schedule, it's a reset as conference play begins. And the Tigers will go into this game as three-touchdown favorites.
"You may look at the record and say, 'Well, this should be or it shouldn't be.' But when you watch the film, there's a lot of talent out there," Huff said. "They've got some players. They do a really good job with scheme."
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Why Memphis' Charles Huff considers 0-4 Charlotte 'really challenging opponent'
