Tigers make history, picked to win AAC

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Memphis Tigers making history Tuesday as we put a wrap on AAC Media Days in Arlington, Texas.

The U of M picked to win the conference title this year, for the first time ever.

The Tigers earned 23 of the possible 40 first place votes, making Memphis the overwhelming choice to win the American.

Texas San Antonio came in second with 4 first place votes.

Defending champion Tulane was picked third with two first place votes followed by South Florida fourth and newcomer Army fifth. The Black Knights earned one first place nod.

One thing to remember, the Tigers play UTSA, Tulane and South Florida this year. All on the road.

Then comes Florida Atlantic at six with East Carolina and Rice tied at seven. That’s followed up by North Texas at nine, UAB tenth, Navy eleventh with Tulsa, Charlotte and Temple bringing up the rear.

So the Tigers head into the season… number one. Not that head coach Ryan Silverfield puts too much stock in preseason polls.

“Nobody has higher expectations for our program, for our players, than myself and the young men and the coaches. That they get to pour into themselves every single day. We’re grateful, but that doesn’t mean a thing,” Silverfield said. “Personally, as a head coach, I haven’t accomplished anything I want to in this conference. I’ve got a lot of work to do, and that starts by training camp and continue to improve, and our players understand that as well.

With all the preseason hype surrounding his program, Silverfield and the Tigers are after only one thing this year.

“The goal is to win the conference championship and that’s the goal every single year. But it focuses on improving ourselves and getting 1% better every single day. Look, that means nothing. A lot of work to be done. We understand what’s ahead of us.”

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