For the first time in decades, Memphis football is not scheduled to face a power conference opponent in 2026.
Other than 2020, when a matchup against Purdue was canceled, Memphis has played a power conference opponent in every season going back to at least 1960. That won't be the case in 2026, when the Tigers will face Boise State, UNLV, Arkansas State and UT-Martin in non-conference play.
Memphis won't play a power conference opponent in 2027, either.
"If we can get P4s to play us, we'll play them," athletic director Ed Scott said on "The Gary Parrish Show" on Aug. 18. "If I was the athletic director at certain P4s, especially in the geographic area we live in, I would not play Memphis. It's not a win-win for them like it is for us."
Football scheduling is done years and sometimes decades in advance, so Scott hasn't had much control over Memphis' future schedules. The SEC's move to nine conference games also creates a hurdle for Memphis, and it's the reason Arkansas moved a planned 2026 game to 2030.
#arkansas #scott #Football
Other than 2020, when a matchup against Purdue was canceled, Memphis has played a power conference opponent in every season going back to at least 1960. That won't be the case in 2026, when the Tigers will face Boise State, UNLV, Arkansas State and UT-Martin in non-conference play.
Memphis won't play a power conference opponent in 2027, either.
"If we can get P4s to play us, we'll play them," athletic director Ed Scott said on "The Gary Parrish Show" on Aug. 18. "If I was the athletic director at certain P4s, especially in the geographic area we live in, I would not play Memphis. It's not a win-win for them like it is for us."
Football scheduling is done years and sometimes decades in advance, so Scott hasn't had much control over Memphis' future schedules. The SEC's move to nine conference games also creates a hurdle for Memphis, and it's the reason Arkansas moved a planned 2026 game to 2030.
#arkansas #scott #Football
29 days ago
