Totally Ridiculous Cross-Sport Assessment: Memphis

Basic rules of the metaphor
Two pointer = Rushing first down
Commonalities: bread and butter positive offensive action for any team, not as game changing as...

Three pointer = Passing first down
Commonalities: generally speaking a larger gain, momentum swing

Post game = Running game.
Commonalities: lower risk, lower reward; requires a lot of unglamorous work by the big uglies.

Outside shooting = Passing game
Commonalities: higher risk, higher reward; higher glam factor.

After the coin toss

Memphis' running game: The Memphis Tigers are a very well rounded team and pride themselves in being able to get things done on the ground. Actually, Memphis prefers to run the ball and are much more successful doing so. They even go so far as to use their quarterbacks and receivers as running backs on a majority of their possessions. Receiver Chris Douglas-Roberts carries the majority of the running burden (27.2%) while catching 40 of 89 passes for first downs. None of the Tigers pose a tough physical challenge for the Horns, but the defensive interior manned by Connor Atchley and Damion James will be more important than ever in this game.

Memphis' passing game: Receiver Donneal Mack has seen success receiving 63 of 174 passes for first downs, making him the biggest deep threat the Tigers employ. As stated before Chris Douglas-Roberts performs double duty on offense, running and receiving the ball well. Willie Kemp and Antonio Anderson are also favorite arial targets with 126 attempts each, and 44 and 41 completions for first downs respectively. The Tigers' receivers are tall and able to make important shots, and will prove to be a formidable defensive challenge for undersized Texas cornerbacks A.J. Abrams and D.J. Augustin.

Memphis' rush defense: On the defensive end, Memphis features an impressive corps of linebackers in Robert Dozier, Joey Dorsey, and Shawn Taggart, all of whom are in the top 200 in tackles for loss. Texas will need to take advantage of the inevitable blitz that Augustin will face by using power backs Connor Atchley and Damion James to advance the ball on the ground. The Tigers don't have as many takeaways (fumbles and interceptions) per player as they might like, with only one player breaking the top 500 percentage-wise, but they are quite successful at keeping opponents from converting on third down.

Memphis' pass defense: Overall, the Tigers have the number one defense in the country with a great deal of their strength coming from their ability to stop the pass. Memphis ranks seventh in the nation in stopping first downs through the air, allowing a completion percentage of only 30.2%. For Texas, the key to this game will be to use other players besides A.J. Abrams to get work done through the air. The Cardinal did a sufficient job shutting down Abrams, and I suspect Memphis will look to do the same. The Tigers are a strong defensive team, so Texas will need stellar performances from Connor Atchley, Damion James, and Justin Mason from behind the three stripe to end up ahead.