Memphis Fall Short of AAC Title Game, Tulane Eye Championship Glory
Memphis Tigers Fall Short of AAC Championship Game, Tulane Green Wave Eyes Title
Two of the American Athletic Conference’s elite teams face off on Thursday in an exciting Week 14 matchup, as the Memphis Tigers (9-2, 5-2 AAC) challenge the #20-ranked Tulane Green Wave (9-2, 7-0 AAC). Both teams enter this pivotal contest fresh off a bye week, with Tulane already securing its spot in the AAC Championship Game, but still holding out hope for a potential College Football Playoff berth. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. EST at Yulman Stadium in New Orleans.
Memphis Tigers’ Missed Opportunity: A Strong Season, But No AAC Title
The Memphis Tigers have been one of the most dynamic teams in the AAC this season, but a pair of costly losses have kept them from reaching their ultimate goal: a return to the AAC Championship Game. Memphis dropped two high-scoring affairs earlier in the year, losing to Navy and UTSA, which dashed their hopes of playing for the conference title. Despite these setbacks, the Tigers have rallied, winning six of their past seven games, and will likely be headed to a quality bowl game in the postseason.
In their last outing, Memphis delivered a dominant performance, crushing UAB 53-18 at home. Senior quarterback Seth Henigan put on a clinic, throwing for 299 yards and four touchdowns, leading his team to an easy cover as 17.5-point favorites. Henigan has been a consistent force for the Tigers all season, ranking second in the AAC with 2,990 passing yards. He’s been efficient with a 63.7% completion rate, and his 21-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio speaks to his ability to protect the ball while making big plays.
The 6’3″ senior has developed a strong rapport with his receiving corps, particularly senior wideout Roc Taylor, who leads the team with 54 receptions for 738 yards and two touchdowns. In the backfield, running back Mario Anderson Jr. has been sensational, tallying 1,115 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns on the season. Anderson has rushed for over 100 yards in four of his last five games, with his most impressive performance coming against North Texas (183 yards).
Defensively, Memphis has been solid, ranking third in the AAC in points allowed (22.6 per game). Linebacker Chandler Martin has been the team’s standout defender, leading the Tigers with 90 tackles and six sacks. Memphis has also been effective at getting pressure on the quarterback, ranking among the AAC leaders with 23 sacks on the year.
Tulane Green Wave: Championship Game Locked, Eyes on College Football Playoff
For the Tulane Green Wave, the road to the AAC Championship Game is already secured. Their 35-0 thrashing of Navy last week ensured a spot in the title game, where they will face off against Army. But with aspirations extending beyond the conference title, Tulane knows that a victory over Memphis is crucial to their College Football Playoff hopes. At 9-2 and ranked #20 nationally, Tulane needs to keep winning to maintain its outside chance of securing one of the 12 playoff spots, especially with Boise State also in the mix for a potential at-large berth.
Tulane has been on an impressive run, winning eight straight games. Their most recent victory was a dominant 35-point win over Navy, where their defense was stifling, and their offense was efficient. Head coach Jon Sumrall, who has helped elevate the program to new heights, recently commented on the team’s success:
Freshman quarterback Darian Mensah has been at the helm for the Green Wave, and while he’s not a dual-threat quarterback, his passing efficiency has been a key factor in Tulane’s success. Mensah has thrown for 2,197 yards this season with an 18-to-4 touchdown-to-interception ratio, completing 65.9% of his passes. Although he doesn’t contribute much with his legs, his ability to manage the game and make key throws has kept the offense humming.
The Green Wave’s ground attack has been potent, led by sophomore running back Makhi Hughes, who leads the AAC with 1,291 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Hughes has eclipsed 100 yards in five of his last six games, and his ability to break off big runs will be a key factor in this matchup. The receiving corps, while not as deep as Memphis’, is led by 5’9″ junior Mario Williams, who has 41 receptions for 701 yards and three touchdowns on the season.
Defensively, Tulane has been exceptional. The Green Wave ranks second in the AAC in points allowed (17.0 per game) and is among the best in the country at stopping the pass. Linebacker Tyler Grubbs has been the heart of the defense, leading the team in tackles with 45, while the front seven has accumulated 30 sacks on the season. Tulane’s secondary, led by Micah Robinson, has 12 interceptions on the season, providing ample opportunities for the defense to make big plays.
Conclusions
This Thursday’s game will be a critical test for both teams as they look to finish the season strong. While Tulane has already punched its ticket to the AAC Championship Game, a victory here will not only keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive but also build momentum heading into the title game. Memphis, on the other hand, is playing for pride and postseason positioning after falling short of their AAC title aspirations.
Look for Memphis to lean on the arm of Seth Henigan and the legs of Mario Anderson Jr. to keep the game close, but Tulane’s explosive offense and lockdown defense will likely be too much to overcome. With the Green Wave sitting as 14.5-point favorites, the odds favor the home team, but Memphis’ balanced attack and resilient defense could still make this a compelling matchup.
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