Head coach Tommy West has installed a new philosophy in a once overlooked program and has put together two of the most successful seasons in Memphis history. During the last two years, the Tigers have set new school records and achieved goals once thought to be unreachable. The team has posted back-to-back bowl appearances and two straight eight-plus win seasons for the first time ever, in addition to being ranked in the AP Poll. With a 25-23 coaching record at Memphis, West is the first Tigers' head coach to post a winning mark after four seasons since Richard Williamson went 24-20 from 1975-78. The 2004 Memphis football team started off the season with a solid 20-13 victory over SEC member Ole Miss, which it followed with a pair of wins over Chattanooga and Arkansas State. The Tigers however, had their winning streak stopped with a tough loss to UAB (35-28) in their C-USA opener. Memphis was then able to rebound from the setback with a pair of convincing victories over Houston (41-14) and Tulane (49-24). Following a pounding at the hands of Cincinnati (49-10) the Tigers nearly pulled off the biggest upset of the season, but didn't have quite enough in a heart-breaking 56-49 setback to nationally-ranked Louisville. Still, the team built off that performance and reeled off three straight wins to close out the regular season. A 52-35 setback to Bowling Green in the GMAC Bowl wasn't the way the program had hoped its season would come to an end, but nonetheless the 2004 season was certainly a success with an 8-4 overall mark to show for it. 2005 ANALYSIS: OFFENSE: The Tigers' offense was nearly unstoppable last year thanks to the dynamic duo of Danny Wimprine and DeAngelo Williams, whom helped Memphis rank ninth in the country in total offense (460.3 ypg) and 10th in scoring (35.8 ppg). DeAngelo Williams has returned for his senior year, but the Tigers will have to do a lot of searching to find an adequate replacement for Wimprine. The team's signal caller the past few seasons, Wimprine was sensational in his career at Memphis and set numerous school records, including most career passing yards. The leading candidate to replace Wimprine is junior Patrick Byrne, who has taken lots of reps the past few seasons. Byrne is a more athletic quarterback, but lacks the big arm of Wimprine. Will Hudgens and Maurice Avery will also push for the starting role. Whoever is taking the snaps will surely benefit with All-American candidate Williams in the backfield. The 2005 Heisman Trophy candidate led the nation in rushing touchdowns (22) last season and also ranked third in rushing yards (1,948). He was voted the C-USA Offensive Player of the Year in 2004, averaging an impressive 6.2 ypc, in addition to rushing for over 250 yards in a single game on two occasions. For his career, Williams has amassed 4,062 yards and 37 touchdowns. Opening the holes for Williams may be a little more difficult this season, as Memphis must replace four of the five starters from last year's offensive line which allowed just five sacks and paved the way for 2,438 rushing yards. Blake Butler is the lone returning starter and will be moved from guard to center. As for the wide receivers, Maurice Avery heads a young and inexperienced group that must make up for the losses of three of the top five pass catchers from a year ago. Avery caught 36 passes for 422 yards in 2004 and should see an increase in those numbers now that he is the go-to guy. DEFENSE: While the offense has come a long way under coach West, the same can't be said of the defensive unit, which ranked 90th in total defense (417.8 ypg) and 114th against the pass (275.9 ypg). With seven returning starters and several solid backups, the Tigers should certainly improve in 2005. Marcus West highlights the defensive line with his tremendous quickness and good size. Last season, West really came into his own and posted 52 tackles with a team-high six sacks. He has been plagued by injuries over the year, but when healthy he adds another dimension to the Tigers' defense. Behind West will be a very good linebacker unit that welcomes back all three starters from a year ago. Tim Goodwell led the trio with 106 tackles last season, while Carlton Baker checked in with 96 stops and Quinton McCarary 82. In the secondary is were Memphis really struggled last season and if returning starters Dustin Lopez, O.C. Collins and Wesley Smith don't improve, the same results will be certain this year. Lopez played well in his first year at Memphis and was the team's biggest playmaker with four interceptions and 11 broken up passes at the corner. Collins is a solid tackling corner (80), but tends to get beat on too many deep passes. As for Smith, he is the best of the bunch from the safety position and earned All-Conference honors in 2004 after making 89 tackles and breaking up four passes. SPECIAL TEAMS: With the return of placekicker Stephen Gostkowski the Tigers will have a definite weapon late in games. Gostkowski was one of the top kickers in the nation last season, making 6-of-6 boots from 40-49 yards and 8- of-8 from inside 30. Juco transfer Michael Gibson will take over the punting duties this season and should have no problem averaging more than the mere 30.37 yards per punt the Tigers netted a year ago. OUTLOOK: This is a big year for the Memphis football program, as there will be a lot of attention paid to Heisman hopeful DeAngelo Williams. The Tigers' offense underwent many changes this past offseason and expecting this unit to produce like last season is a bit unrealistic. Williams will post his numbers and Memphis should still be able to move the ball, but the unit wont be able to compensate for a suspect defense. If the defense doesn't improve by a sizeable margin, the Tigers may struggle to stay above the .500 mark.