With six teams tied in the loss column atop the American Conference standings, including all three of Memphis' remaining opponents, the Tigers' game against Tulane Friday night at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium will be crucial.
Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield addressed the media Sunday morning, where he talked about the Tigers' 38-14 victory over Rice and looked ahead towards Tulane.
"Obviously our focus has immediately turned to this upcoming Friday night," Silverfield said.
Tulane dropped its first conference game last week at UTSA, and coach Silverfield is anticipating a response similar to Memphis' victory over South Florida after the Tigers lost at UAB.
"They've got an extra day to prepare," Silverfield said. "I'm sure they'll be ready for the challenges coming here and playing us."
In Memphis' victory over Rice last Friday, quarterback Brendon Lewis left the game in the fourth quarter with a lower leg injury, but offensive coordinator Tim Cramsey confirmed Monday that he is okay.
"B'Lew's great," Cramsey said. "Had a great practice today. We've just got to get him dialed in on this game plan that we're doing."
The first edition of the College Football Playoff ranking will release Tuesday night, but, as he emphasizes every week, coach Silverfield and his team take it one day at a time.
The Tigers and Tulane have developed a rivalry over the last few years. It has grown stronger since the conference realignment phase that saw the likes of Cincinnati, Houston and UCF leave for the BIG 12. Last season, Memphis went to New Orleans and ended Tulane's College Football Playoff hopes, and, this year, Tulane will have the opportunity to do the same against Memphis in primetime on ESPN.
"I'm excited. This is one of those games that gets played every year," said Silverfield. "It's a rivalry. As much as the conference had changed in my tenth year here, it's always one of those a lot of fans have circled on the calendar."
Memphis will play the Green Wave Friday at 8 p.m. in a blackout game at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium. The game will be available on ESPN.
I'm a senior journalism major with a sports media concentration. I have been at the Daily Helmsman for three years now, including two years as the sports editor.
