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	Monday, September 4 Tigers on the verge of a breakout season
	By Eric Crawford Special to ESPN.com Memphis Tigers 1999 record: 5-6 (4-2 C-USA) Coach: Rip Scherer Returning starters: 14 (5 offense, 9 defense) Outlook Rip Scherer says his team is on the verge of a big season. They were a year ago too, but heartbreaking losses to Mississippi (3-0), Mississippi State (13-10), Tennessee (17-16) and Louisville (32-31) wasted one of the best defenses in the league. The Tigers continued to struggle offensively in spring practice. QB Travis Anglin missed was out all spring after shoulder surgery but is expected to return to the starting spot. QB Neil Suber is a better passer, however, and could see action. QB is one of the few bright spots on offense for the Tigers. RB Jeff "Sugar" Sanders has been highly touted and will get a chance to start living up to that billing. With a passing game that may be reeling from the loss of WRs Damien Dodson and Ken Coutain, Sanders and the running game will be asked to carry most of the offensive load. TE Billy Kendell may be a leading target when Memphis does go to the air. The defense should continue to be one of the strongest units in C-USA. LBs Kamar Shakir and DeMorrio Shank are strong returnees and they're joined by newcomer Derrick Ballard, who spurned Clemson and Georgia to come to Memphis. All four starters are back in the defensive backfield. NT Marcus Bell was the team's second leading tackler with 85 stops from a defensive line spot that rarely puts up those kinds of numbers. The Tigers are not only talented defensively, but deep. If the experienced QBs can lead the way on offense, the Tigers should be in every game. The question will be whether they can begin to pull some of the close ones out. A downgraded non-conference schedule, with the exception of a Nov. 4 visit from Tennessee, should help. Keep an eye on ... LB Kamar Shakir is as aggressive as they get. He reached double digits in tackles eight times last season and had 20 tackles against Army. It's a good season ... The Tigers can finish the job they started against Tennessee and upset their in-state rivals when the Vols visit the Liberty Bowl on Nov. 4.		AROUND CONFERENCE USA Army Cincinnati East Carolina Houston Louisville Memphis Southern Miss Tulane UAB ALSO SEE C-USA not happy with just being good