Memphis is back home, back in the spotlight and trying to build on the kind of opener that gets people talking.
The Tigers, now 1-0 after knocking off UNLV 27-21, host Arkansas State on Sept. 5 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. on ESPN+. The stadium has been in renovation mode for the past two years, and it will be nearly finished for this one.
That win in Las Vegas put Memphis on the national radar, and now the Tigers have a chance to keep that momentum alive before the nonconference slate gets tougher. A week from now, Memphis heads to Boise State on Sept. 12, so this game matters for more than just the home crowd. A strong showing against Arkansas State could even push the Tigers into ranked-team territory.
Arkansas State comes in at 0-0, having not played last weekend. The Red Wolves will have a full week of film on Memphis, but they also bring a roster with plenty of new faces and will have to open their season on the road as the underdog.
Memphis football schedule 2026
All times Central
Aug. 29 (9 p.m., FOX) at UNLV (27-21 W)
Sept. 5 (6 p.m., ESPN+) Arkansas State
Sept. 12 (5 p.m., USA Network) at Boise State
Sept. 19 (6 p.m., ESPN+) UT-Martin
Oct. 3 at Charlotte
Oct. 10 UAB
Oct. 16 (6:30 p.m., ESPN) at Tulane (Fri.)
Oct. 22 (6:30 p.m., ESPN2) East Carolina (Thu.)
Oct. 31 Army
Nov. 12 (7 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2) at South Florida (Thu.)
Nov. 21 (11 a.m., TBD) at Navy
Nov. 27 or 28 (11 a.m./2:30 p.m., TBD) Temple
In Other News...
Boise State Has Two Troubling Questions Heading Into The Memphis Game
Boise States first public depth chart for the 2026 season brought a couple of notable updates ahead of its trip to Memphis, starting with a difficult one on the offensive line. Redshirt freshman right tackle Jacob Tracy is not listed after what head coach Spencer Danielson confirmed is a season-ending injury, a development that thins the Broncos protection options before they even get into the heart of the schedule.
There is also still a small special-teams puzzle to sort out. Boise State is continuing its kickoff and placekicking competition between Colton Boomer and Canaan Moore, with Boomer handling kickoffs and Moore taking field goals and extra points in Week 1. However that shakes out, it gives Memphis one more thing to monitor in a season opener that already carries more than the usual early-year uncertainty. [Read more 🡒]
Memphis Just Got The Offensive Breakout Tigers Fans Needed
Jaylin Carters name is suddenly part of the conversation around Memphis offense after the sophomore running back earned American Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors. His work against Arkansas State gave the Tigers the kind of ground game they have been waiting for, with Carter piling up 183 rushing yards, four touchdowns and more than 200 all-purpose yards in a 42-24 win that looked a lot more like the attack Memphis has been trying to build.
The larger significance goes beyond one hot afternoon. Memphis posted its highest rushing total since 2018 and its best overall offensive output since 2024 in the same game, a sign that the line, the backs and the play-calling all lined up at once. Carters breakout gives the Tigers a real reference point now, and the next step is figuring out whether this was a one-game surge or the start of something sturdier. [Read more 🡒]
Memphis Is Catching Boise State At A Very Interesting Time
Boise State walked away from its 34-27 loss to No. 2 Oregon with plenty of frustration but also a sense that the performance itself was not the issue. Head coach Spencer Danielson said he was proud of how his players competed, while stressing that the standard at Boise State still comes down to finding ways to win. He pointed to the need for improvement on both offense and defense, and he also noted that one specific game situation was mishandled, a reminder that close losses often hinge on details as much as execution.
Now the Broncos have to turn quickly to Memphis, which comes in undefeated and has started to look like one of the more complete teams on Boise State's schedule. Danielson singled out Memphis coach Charles Huff as well, a sign of the respect the Tigers have already earned before the matchup even kicks off. For Memphis, it is a chance to catch Boise State at a moment when the Broncos are still sorting through the lessons from a bruising trip to Eugene. [Read more 🡒]