After two games, Memphis football is 2-0.
The Tigers beat UNLV and Arkansas State, but they're still going into their next game as 7.5-point underdogs against Boise State on Sept. 12 (5 p.m. CT, USA Network) after the Broncos gave No. 2 Oregon all it could handle in an eventual 34-27 loss on Sept. 5.
Memphis will have plenty of confidence and momentum heading into Boise, Idaho, especially after it opened the season as underdogs with the win in Las Vegas. And the Tigers already have showcased a dominant defensive line and a dynamic running game.
But coach Charles Huff will be the first to say there's a lot for them to work on heading into the Boise State game.
Here's what we've learned from the first two games of the season and where the Tigers can
improve.
Memphis' passing game is still a work in progress
The story of the Arkansas State game was Memphis' rushing, led by Jaylin Carter's 183-yard, four-touchdown performance. The passing game was up-and-down, with quarterback Marcus Stokes throwing for two touchdowns but also tossing two interceptions.
After the game, Stokes said he's confident the passing game will get fully on track.
"I know it," he said. "Because we do it in practice. And it's going to be deadly."
Memphis has surprised opponents at times with offensive pace when it has gone up-tempo. But now there's more film on every team, and those advantages will start to wear off the next few games.
Memphis' secondary, defensive line have impressive games
The story from Memphis' win over UNLV was the dominance of the defensive line. In the second half of that game, Elijah Kinsler and the rest of that unit completely took control and rendered UNLV's passing offense completely irrelevant because quarterback Jackson Arnold had no time to throw the ball.
Against Arkansas State, the story was the secondary. Memphis had three sacks (as opposed to six against UNLV) but came up with four interceptions.
"I'd love for both units to show up at the same time," Huff said. "I would really love for that."
That'll be absolutely critical against Boise State's balanced offensive attack.
Can Memphis start faster?
Huff talked all offseason about preparing Memphis to win games in the fourth quarter with elite conditioning. That has been more than apparent the first two games, and the Tigers have already outscored their opponents 41-14 in the second half. But starting faster will be a key moving forward.
"Hopefully we can get out of this living in the second-half world," Huff said. "Because we're going to face some teams who can play 60 minutes as well. We've got to try to put a full game together. That doesn't mean it's going to be perfect, but we've got to be able to be efficient in the first half and the second half."
That'll be among the top things to watch for when the Tigers and Broncos face off.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Where Memphis football has room to improve heading into Boise State matchup
