The 1-6, 1-2 Memphis Tigers go to Gerald J. Ford Stadium Saturday to play the 3-4, 2-1 Southern Methodist Mustangs. Memphis goes from battling possibly the best team in the Conference USA East to one of the best in the West Division in SMU who swamped 3-4, 2-1 Houston.

The Mustangs made an announcement last Thursday throttling the Cougars 72-42. Southern Methodist showed off for the home crowd as the defense struck with senior linebacker Taylor Reed's, sophomore LB Stephon Sanders' and sophomore defensive tackle Darrian Wright's pick-sixes and junior LB Kevin Pope's fumble return.

Junior quarterback Garrett Gilbert also found Mustangs wide receivers junior Keenan Holman, senior Darius Johnson twice and junior Jeremy Johnson while senior running back Zach Line found the end zone twice on the ground.

The Tigers were no match for the Knights falling 35-17 on Saturday. Memphis pulled within four at halftime thanks to sophomore placekicker Tyler Spurlock's 34-yard field goal and senior defensive back Robert Steeples' 27-yard fumble return.

The Tigers however didn't score again until 39 seconds remained on the clock with junior QB Jacob Karam's one-yard touchdown run. Memphis outgained UCF by 10 yards, but had two more turnovers and two less converted third downs.

The Tigers lost their three prior road affairs at 4-3, 2-1 Arkansas State, 6-2, 3-1 Duke and 5-3, 4-1 East Carolina by five, 24 and 34 points. Memphis has gotten progressively worse during each away game so SMU a 42-0 winner in Memphis a year ago is sitting pretty for another rout. The Tigers were trampled three times by 37 or more on the road while winning just once at 1-6, 1-2 Tulane. Memphis also was blown out at 2-6, 0-4 Rice 28-6.

The Mustangs meanwhile are 2-2 at Southern Methodist this season losing to a couple of in-state rival Big 12 schools and burying an FCS school during their only other home game thus far this year aside from hammering Houston. The Mustangs last season were 5-1 at Ford Stadium beating three opponents by three TDs while beating two other C-USA foes by an average of seven points. SMU smokes the Tigers out of town.