The rivalry was trivial. The 100-pound trophy of bronzed bones was unimportant. Even bragging rights were deemed irrelevant. What mattered for the 25 seniors on The University of Memphis football team was suiting up to play for the last time at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Saturday against UAB.

After hearing news of Tommy West's dismissal earlier in the week, The University of Memphis football team will try to put that behind them as they square off against Conference USA rival UAB for their last home contest at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. The Blazers (4-5, 3-2 C-USA) come to Memphis riding a two-game win streak with victories over UTEP and Florida Atlantic.

Today will mark the official beginning of the Josh Pastner era at The University of Memphis as the Tigers host Jackson State University 8 p.m. at FedExForum. The genesis of a much anticipated regular season would not be replete without the varied expectations among the young Tiger team.

When Josh Pastner took over as coach of The University of Memphis men's basketball team in April, the number one thing he was known for was recruiting. Although he essentially watched the recruiting class he worked so hard to assemble as an assistant crumble before him, the class he's put together for 2010 may be even better.

When Josh Pastner looks at tonight's match-up against No. 1-ranked Kansas, he doesn't see all of the hype that surrounded the game when it was first scheduled. Instead, he sees it as just another contest. Especially as all of that hype is now gone. "The whole point of the game was meant to be No.