It's finally time to kick off the most anticipated season in Memphis football history.

It's been a transformational offseason for the Tigers, who brought back most of their key contributors from the team that went 10-3 and won the AutoZone Liberty Bowl last December. The College Football Playoff's expansion has created a realistic pathway for Memphis to play in the highest level of the sport's postseason for the first time, and it might be coming at the perfect time.

The schedule won't be easy, though. The Tigers have to play their three toughest American Athletic Conference games on the road, and there's also a Sept. 14 trip to Tallahassee to face Florida State.

So, will this season end with glory for Memphis? Here's our prediction.

Aug. 31: North Alabama

Last season: Did not play each other. North Alabama went 3-8.

The Lions are the weakest team on Memphis' schedule and should provide an ideal way for the Tigers to ease into the season. Except Memphis to cruise.

Prediction: Memphis 55, North Alabama 10.

Sept. 7: Troy

Last season: Did not play each other. Troy went 11-3.

Say it with me: Trap. Game. The Trojans come to Memphis as back-to-back Sun Belt champions, and this game comes just a week before Memphis heads south for the much-anticipated showdown with Florida State. This is the trickiest game on Memphis' home schedule, and it's one the Tigers can't afford to lose.

It isn't pretty, but Memphis stays undefeated.

Prediction: Memphis 31, Troy 28.

Sept. 14: at Florida State

Last season: Did not play. Florida State went 13-1.

Mike Norvell faces his former team and his former assistant in Ryan Silverfield. The story writes itself, but can Memphis dethrone the Seminoles? It's the game that Tigers fans have had circled for more than a year, and it's a major opportunity for Memphis to test itself against a potential playoff contender.

Florida State rebounds from an opening-week loss to Georgia Tech and rights the ship, but Memphis doesn't go down easy.

Prediction: Florida State 28, Memphis 24.

Sept. 21: at Navy

Last season: Memphis won 28-24.

It's never easy when Memphis faces Navy. Last season's game featured the Tigers' worst tackling display of the season, and the game was in doubt until the final seconds. Memphis should have more than enough to take care of the Midshipmen, but it might not be straightforward.

Prediction: Memphis 31, Navy 21.

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Sept. 28: Middle Tennessee State

Last season: Did not play. MTSU went 4-8.

MTSU is likely to be in a transitional year this season under new coach Derek Mason. Memphis should be able to cruise past the Blue Raiders to end the non-conference slate.

Prediction: Memphis 42, Middle Tennessee 20.

Oct. 11: at South Florida

Last season: Memphis won 59-50.

Fans should probably prepare themselves for another shootout after last year's 59-50 game in Memphis. The Bulls took a major step forward last season under Alex Golesh and have gotten playoff buzz behind star quarterback Byrum Brown. This is the first major landmine on Memphis' schedule.

Is this a preview of the conference title game? It could be. South Florida gets its signature win in a wild game.

Prediction: South Florida 49, Memphis 45.

Oct. 19: North Texas

Last season: Memphis won 45-42.

The Tigers should've had last year's game won before the end of the first half, but a second-half collapse necessitated last-minute heroics from Seth Henigan and Joe Scates. North Texas lost some key players to the transfer portal, and Memphis should have more than enough to beat the Mean Green for a second straight season.

Prediction: Memphis 38, North Texas 21.

Oct. 26: Charlotte

Last season: Memphis won 44-38.

The Tigers needed overtime to win in Charlotte last season, and the 49ers could be set for an improvement under second-year coach Biff Poggi. This is another game that should be straightforward for Memphis.

Prediction: Memphis 49, Charlotte 31.

Nov. 2: at UTSA

Last season: Did not play. UTSA went 9-4.

UTSA has also gotten playoff buzz heading into 2024, but the Roadrunners need to replace longtime quarterback Frank Harris. This is another road game against one of the top teams in the conference, and it'll be a tricky one for Memphis. But the Tigers find a way in the Alamodome.

Prediction: Memphis 38, UTSA 35.

Nov. 8: Rice

Last season: Did not play. Rice went 6-7.

Rice finished tied for seventh in the preseason AAC poll, but they might be the best home opponent on Memphis' conference schedule. This is the kind of game the Tigers can't afford to lose if they want to win the conference title and compete for a playoff spot, and they'll be able to get it done.

Prediction: Memphis 40, Rice 28.

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Nov. 16: UAB

Last season: Memphis won 45-21.

Trent Dilfer's team can be chaotic, but what will they be playing for at this point of the season? The Battle for the Bones trophy will keep the Blazers interested in this game throughout the season, but Dilfer will have to make major defensive improvements this season if they're going to be competitive.

UAB puts up some points, but Memphis cruises to another win.

Prediction: Memphis 58, UAB 38.

Nov. 28: at Tulane

Last season: Tulane won 31-21.

The home team usually wins this matchup, but Tulane flipped that with last year's win. What will the stakes be for this game? It's possible and even likely that one or both of these teams will be playing for a conference title berth on Thanksgiving Day.

The Green Wave have another successful season, even with a new coach and quarterback. And they outlast the Tigers here.

Prediction: Tulane 24, Memphis 21.

Season prediction

Memphis finishes 9-3 (6-2 AAC).

Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis football game-by-game predictions for critical 2024 season