2021 Memphis Tigers football team
The 2021 Memphis Tigers football team represented the University of Memphis in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers played their home games at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee, and competed in the American Athletic Conference. They were led by second-year head coach Ryan Silverfield. The Tigers finished the regular season with a 6–6 record and were due to face the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in the Hawaii Bowl. However, due to a COVID-19 outbreak, season-ending injuries, and transfers, the Rainbow Warriors were forced to withdraw the day before  the game, leaving the Tigers without a bowl game. Silverfield later jokingly declared Memphis as “Hawaii Bowl champions”. Previous season. The Tigers finished the 2020 season 8–3, 5–3 in AAC play to finish third in the conference. They won the Montgomery Bowl 25–10 against Florida Atlantic. Preseason. American Athletic Conference preseason media poll. The American Athletic Conference preseason media poll was released at the virtual media day held August 4, 2021. Cincinnati, who finished the 2020 season ranked No. 8 nationally, was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the 2021 preseason media poll.