• 6-2 Tulane @ 8-1 Memphis 8:00 PM Local FRI on ESPN

Live from Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, in front of a sold-out crowd donning black, the ‘blacked out’ Memphis Tigers will take on the visiting Tulane Green Wave.

That’s right Memphis Fans–Leave the Blue in the closet for this one and be sure to wear a Johnny Cash suit or anything else that is all black. As a bonus, if you get to the game early enough, you will receive a hat that will be fitting for the Deer Stand the following morning.

With the first 2500 through the door receiving a free Camo hat and all 50,000 wearing black, it won’t quite have that magical feel that a stadium full of bright blue provides, but the energy should be at an all-time high regardless.

After all, “Uniforms are nice. Uniforms are good. I’d rather play good.” Well said by former Louisiana Head Coach Billy Napier and it applies to this game. The uniforms and colors the fans are wearing is all well and good, but if we don’t play ‘good,’ then what’s the point? It’s all about what happens on the Gridiron. COME ON MEMPHIS FANS. Show up for the Hometown Tigers. Be there, be proud, wear black.

MEMPHIS

As it currently stands, Memphis is ranked 22nd in the AP, 24th by SHS, and in the field of twelve as the Group of Five representative for the College Football Playoff, so to say that there is a lot riding on each game is a gross understatement. The 12th ranked offense and 24th ranked defense has been quite resilient this season mounting double digit comebacks to South Florida and Arkansas this season.

-On offense, it all begins with QB Brenden Lewis. So far, he has posted 18 Total Touchdowns while only throwing four picks and, with 562 yards tallied is the team’s leading rusher. However, when he’s not running the ball, he’s throwing it and it most likely is being caught by WR Cortez Brown.

• WR Cortez Brown: 632 Rec Yards, 7 TD

And when Lewis isn’t throwing to Brown or running it himself, he’s handing it to one of the three Tigers that can make an impact on the ground.

THREE HEADED TIGER at RB

• Sutton Smith: 594, 6 TD
• Frank Peasant: 190, 6 TD
• Greg Desrosiers: 592, 8 TD

This is the twelfth ranked offense and deservedly so with the production from so many different guys.

-On the 24th ranked scoring defense, there are four players that I’ve chosen to highlight.

DEFENSIVE IMPACT PLAYERS

• S Kamari Wilson: McNelly Award Watchlist
• DB Chris Bracy: 54 Tackles, 9.5 TFL, 7 PD, 1 INT, 1 FF/ FR
• LB Sam Brumfield: 66 Tackles, 12 TFL, 4.5 Sacks, 1 INT
• DL William Whitlow Jr: Straight up big guy energy in the middle. Intensity, but sports a big smile at times. The type of guy that is needed on the D-Line.
  • 5.5 TFL, 1.5 Sack, 3 PD

Which one of these players will be the reason the Tigers win? I’ll take Kamari Wilson to continue to impress against visiting Tulane.

TULANE

There is truly not much to brag about with this team, but they are 6-2 for a reason.

On offense, it all runs through BYU transfer QB Jake Retzlaff. He’s recorded 7 Passing TD’s, only thrown 3 interceptions, is the team’s leading rusher with 513 yards, and has rushed for nine more scores. 16 Total TD’s and counting for the former Cougar.

• FR RB Javin Gordon has 387 Yards and 4 touchdowns

On defense, the Green Wave are led by two ‘show-stoppers- in the middle of the line.

• DL Santana Hopper: 23 Tackles, 7.5 TFL, 2.5 Sack, FR
• DL Harvey Dyson III: 22 tackles, 7 TFL, 4.5 Sacks, FF

The Juniors on the D-Line will certainly be up for the scrap with Memphis tomorrow night and will do everything within their immense power to disrupt the clever Memphis offense.

Tulane is ranked 80th in Offense and Defense coming into this game, but that doesn’t mean that they will not put up a fight. In fact, I expect and welcome the fight. The Tigers need these tests to prepare themselves for the playoffs. Just win each game by one and move on. That’s it. Save the magic for the playoffs when you face off with a former National Championship team like Georgia or Alabama.

–Friday Night be ready for a fight, be ready for a test, but expect a win. A win over Tulane is required for The Hometown Tigers to accomplish something great this season. Go Tigers, GO!

Find the Humor and Keep on Movin’

Whit W.