If you are an NFL team that wants to challenge history and go undefeated then make sure you have a Memphis/Memphis State Tigers player on your team. The only two teams to do it now are the 1972 Miami Dolphins with Charlie Babb on their roster and the 2007 New England Patriots with Stephen Gostkowski. The two most recent runs prior to this year’s Pats team was the 2005 Colts and 1985 Bears. Neither team had a Tigers player on their roster therefore were destined to fail. So if you’re an NFL team who wants to challenge destiny make sure you draft a Tigers player soon if you don’t already have one on your roster.

The first half of the Tigers win over Arizona proved once again you can take away some weapons but not all of them. The Wildcats did a good job on CDR and Rose in the first half. But Dozier and company stepped right in and knocked them down. Cal’s recruiting has proven to be nothing short of awesome. And that’s in the truest definition of awesome as they simply overwhelm opponents.

Without looking at the record books I feel comfortable in saying that calendar 2007 was the single best year in Memphis Tigers basketball history. The Tigers lost only one game in the year 2007. I’d say that is as impressive as it gets. In fact, only one team has done that since the UCLA dynasties. The UNLV team that lost only in the NCAA Championship game in 1991 lost 2 games in December of 91. The had lost 2 games in 1990 as well. So despite having a great run, they didn’t have a calendar year where they lost only one game in a calendar year. Even those great Duke teams of the 90’s didn’t do it. The only team to pull it off prior to this year’s Tigers were the ‘76 Indiana Hoosiers who went unbeaten in the 75-76 season and lost only one game in the 74-75 season. So no, the Tigers aren’t the first to do it overall but it is the first time a Tigers team has done it. So congrats to Coach Calipari and the team. That’s a pretty impressive year. Here’s to hoping they improve on that in 2008. And if they do then the record books will be shattered.

What’s got into Robert Dozier? The guy has been (at the risk of sounding cliche’) on fire of late. Since returning from an injury that kept him out of the Arkansas State and Austin Peay games he’s looked great. He’s averaged almost 14 points a game, six boards, 2 assists while shooting 27 of 53 from the field and is a perfect 9 of 9 from the charity stripe. The guy is playing at a level we were expecting from him but have rarely seen. I’ve heard all the raves about Taggart (and justly so) but folks have forgotten about RD. If Cal continues to get this kind of production out of the bigs like this then look out.

The Tigers have played six of their 11 games against “BCS” schools. They have beaten them by an average of slightly over 10 points and that’s with 4 of the games being on neutral or road floors. Only USC managed to stay within 10 of the Tigers. To take it a step further they are beating teams by an average of right at 16 points a game and only once has a team stayed within single digits, again USC.

From what I’ve seen so far, Derrick Rose should plan on being a Tiger for at least another year. He just seems to be erratic at times when he turns the ball over by trying to do some carnival shot or pass. Then there is the whole guards don’t fare too well as a whole when they go early into the NBA. Two years of seasoning at Memphis will make him truly NBA ready. Yes, I know it probably won’t happen because if a guy is going to be a top 10 pick he will leave every time. I’m just saying that in my opinion it might make the difference in him becoming a good NBA point guard and a great NBA point guard. But what do I know, I live in Mississippi.

I personally challenge every Memphis fan to be there Thursday for the Siena game. There is no reason everyone shouldn’t be there for every game not just the marquee games. It should be about seeing YOUR Tigers not the opponent.

I’ve read and heard some of the chatter about Mississippi and their success this year. Andy Kennedy was a great hire. But it is very likely that the game next season will be the last for quite a while. We shouldn’t play them in basketball if they drop the football contract. Why do them a favor? Honestly, I think both series should go on. In fact, I’d like to see the football game moved back to the 3rd weekend in November so the schools can play football in the afternoon and basketball at night. It sure would allow the Rebels to fill up Tad Smith which is something they don’t often do with their non-conference schedule.