If you wait long enough, your team’s day will eventually come.
This thought struck me on Monday when it was announced that Gameday, ESPN’s iconic pregame show, is headed to Memphis.
That’s right. As unbelievable as it sounds, Lee Corso, Rece Davis and Kirk Herbstreit will be doing their show this Saturday from Beale Street in advance of Saturday’s game between the Tigers and Southern Methodist University. Later that day, the game between the two nationally ranked teams will be shown in primetime on ABC.
As someone who grew up going to games at the Liberty Bowl, the thought of this happening is unreal. Memphis was called Tiger High for a reason. They earned that nickname, from haughty local SEC fans, after years of atrocious football. The Tigers are not supposed to have nice things.
My memories of watching Memphis football have been mostly painful. Most seasons the team was so bad that my brothers and I had the whole Liberty Bowl to ourselves, which was relaxing, in a way, for someone who likes his own space.
Other seasons, when the Tigers seemed on the verge of a halfway decent year, the team would have the rug pulled out from under them by either bad luck or total incompetence.
And, it seemed Memphis was heading for this once again last Saturday when the Tigers, after blowing a 14-point lead, were about to lose a game on the road to the lowly Tulsa Hurricanes.
Before the game, Memphis fans had heard rumors that if the Tigers won Saturday that there was a high probability Gameday would come. But, with the Tigers, winning is always a big if.
With three seconds on the clock, the Tulsa kicker stepped on the field to attempt a game winning 29-yard field goal. It was almost too painful to watch. Another bitter pill to swallow.
But, this time, Lady Luck was on Memphis’ side!
The Tulsa kicker pulled the kick and missed badly to the left.
Memphis escaped and would get to host College Gameday after all.
Like I said, every team eventually has it’s day.
Here are my picks for this week’s slate of football games. Even if your team is not having a great year, remember that things will one day be a lot better.
If you don’t believe me, head to Beale Street Saturday morning.
(Note: All high school games’s are Friday night at 7 p.m.)
Centreville Academy (5-5) at Greenville Christian (5-5) MAIS Class 3A Playoffs First Round: In a classic matchup of two teams with opposing styles, the dynamic Saints, led by Mike Mohead and Marcus Anderson, will do just enough to survive and advance. Greenville Christian 36, Centreville 35.
Clinton (4-5) at Greenville High (3-6): The Greenville Hornets have definitely improved this season under coach Quintarus McCray. Clinton 28, Greenville 14.
Leland (2-8) at Coahoma County (1-8): Marcus Flowers will have a career night rushing to lead the Cubs to a state playoff berth. Leland 33, Coahoma County 21.
O’Bannon (2-7) at Northside (9-0): The young Waves may fall short at undefeated Northside, but their future is still bright. Northside 28, O’Bannon 10.
Riverside (2-8) at Madison St. Joseph (2-7): Coach Jim Risen and the Bulldogs will pick up their third win of the season when D’Vonta “Lucky” Gatson scores a go-ahead touchdown with two minutes left in the game. Riverside 26, Madison St. Joseph 22.
Simmons (4-5) at West Tallahatchie (5-5): There is still time for the Blue Devils to make a state playoff run, but it would sure help with a road win over West Talley. Simmons 16, West Tallahatchie 10.
Deer Creek (6-4) at Calhoun Academy (6-3): Jarod Satterfield and Co. get some more momentum heading into the playoffs. Deer Creek 32, Calhoun 29.
Mississippi State (3-5) at Arkansas (2-6), 3 p.m., SECN: I am all for giving Coach Joe Moorhead more time to build his program. That said, it would behoove him to beat the Hogs. Mississippi State 42, Arkansas 17.
Ole Miss (3-5) at Auburn (6-2), 6 p.m., ESPN: The Rebels are definitely improving, but they aren’t quite ready to win at Jordan-Hare. Auburn 30, Ole Miss 20.
SMU (8-0) at Memphis (7-1), 6:30 p.m., ABC: Whoever wins this one may be playing for a Bowl of Cotton. Memphis 48, SMU 39.
Dallas (4-3) at N.Y. Giants (2-6), Monday, 7:15, ESPN: The Cowboys sure looked good in their win over the Eagles. Maybe they have turned the corner. Dallas 33, Giants 23.
Last week’s record 10-2. Season record 69-38.
David Healy is the sports editor of the Delta Democrat-Times. He can be reached at dhealy@ddtonline.com
