“Expectations for coach Ryan Silverfield’s Memphis Tigers in 2024 really are through the roof, which prompts this question: How in the world does one go about managing them?”

AAC Commissioner Tim Pernetti offered his ideas on an additional playoff, conference realignment and controlling rights for the annual Army vs. Navy game.

Memphis finished fourth in the conference last season, which matched its preseason rankings. The Tigers will try to be just the fourth team in AAC history to win the league as the preseason favorite.

The American Athletic Conference has been heavily involved in College Football Playoff talks this offseason. The players representing the league's top teams, however, aren’t talking postseason this early. 

“They started knocking down Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium Monday. The goal isn’t to have a nicer place to watch games. The goal is an invitation to a power conference. But is it too little, too late?”

Related story:

Phase 2 of Liberty Stadium renovations begins

Monday marks the start of Phase 2 of the Tigers’ three-phase, $220 million renovation of Liberty Stadium. 

Playoff access, conference realignment and revenue share are among the topics that could be addressed at Media Days by new AAC commissioner Tim Pernetti.

The number of days until opening day for Memphis football are starting to dwindle, and the Tigers announced themes for each home game Wednesday, July 17.

Kansas quarterback Jason Bean was the first overall pick in the 2024 UFL Draft by the Memphis Showboats who also selected former Tiger running back Blake Watson.

Saturday will provide a few members of Penny Hardaway’s new-look Tigers with an opportunity to introduce themselves to fans and the local community.

Quarterback Seth Henigan, running back Mario Anderson, linebacker Elijah Herring, defensive back Jordan Grier and offensive lineman Jaylen Nichols attended.

The Daily Memphian browsed through College Football 25 on the PlayStation 5 and noted some of the top rated Memphis players and team ratings. 

Scott will earn an annual guaranteed compensation — or base salary — of $550,000 over a contract that spans five years, according to a memorandum of understanding obtained by The Daily Memphian.

The booster club doesn’t have the country’s deepest pockets, but its members have a goal to donate $100,000 annually to the Tigers football program.

Recent offensive rankings released by EA Sports and Phil Steele projections are two more reminders of how explosive the Memphis offense is expected to be this season.

Related story:

Receiver Rahim Hutchins Jr. commits to Memphis

The 6-foot and 160-pound prospect will help the Tigers replenish what will be lost from this year’s offensive roster.

New University of Memphis athletic director Ed Scott must juggle building his leadership team, raising money for stadium renovation and filling a vacant head coaching position with building corporate support, selling tickets and making critical NIL-related decisions.

The Tigers hoped to land Peyton Joseph, a teammate of Antwann Hill Jr., who previously became the highest-rated quarterback to commit to Memphis, but the offensive lineman chose Florida State instead.

Chasing dollars on the NIL trail is almost like a second job, even during the off season that should be a respite from the University of Memphis football coach’s crazy calendar.

With power conference schools spending real dollars like Monopoly money since the onset of NIL, Quindell Johnson could have left Memphis for another school before his college career was done.

With NIL becoming bigger and bigger — the disparity among how much each student-athlete is paid seems bound to grow wider and wider.

Nowadays — three years after NIL was made official on July 1, 2021 — some of college sports’ highest-paid athletes are millionaires in an ecosystem composed of kids, coaches, collectives and even agents.

“My tool kit is robust, having dealt with major infractions at Morgan State,” new Memphis Tigers athletic director says.