The Memphis Tigers are who we thought they were. Now, it is time for them to also realize it.
It is very doubtful head coach Mike Norvell will say it, nor should it be expected that the players themselves will admit it. But it is the truth. This team came into the season with high expectations, and they have since fallen from grace.
After Mizzou blasted Memphis last weekend, Norvell took questions from the media. He was asked about where this team is going, and he gave an interesting answer.
“I’m not concerned about the direction of this team,” Norvell said to reporters in Columbia, Missouri. “I believe in this team. I believe in how we operate. I believe in what we do, so there’s absolutely no concern in the direction of this football team.”’
Granted, Norvell would not throw his team under the bus, at least not publicly, but he needs to use this time to hold this team and himself accountable, along with his coaching staff. As of right now, Memphis is 4-4 overall and 1-3 in the conference.
Additionally, they have yet to win a game on the road, and there are only four total games remaining in the season. At what point will Norvell be concerned about the direction his team is going?
The Memphis Tigers must come to grips with the reality that they failed. They failed this season, the fan base and, most importantly, themselves. Norvell said during the bye week, his players need to take a hard look in the mirror.
Not to be overly negative, but he said the same thing when they lost to UCF seven games into the season. The question is whether this team realizes who they are.
Sure, there were some bright spots thus far. After all, running back Darrell Henderson is one of the leading rushers in the nation, and quarterback Brady White has thrown for more than 1,000 yards on the season. However, all of that could be meaningless when this program has just as many losses as they do wins in the season.
If this team wants to prove their worthiness to themselves, they must win out this season and nothing less. If they don’t, this team will have nothing to be proud of going into the offseason.
What makes this even more so disappointing is that we have a good football program, yet they failed when it mattered most. Now, it is up to them to decide how this season will end.
The reality of the situation is that this season ended when the Tigers led UCF 30-17 at halftime butcould not score any more in the second half.
There’s always next year.
Memphis Tigers head coach Mike Norvell runs out of the tunnel with his team.
