Memphis, left out of the first College Football Playoff rankings released on Tuesday night, still has a major goal ahead. Reaching it surely relies on the health of quarterback Brendon Lewis.
The journey to that achievement — winning the American Conference and competing in the College Football Playoff — continues Friday night when the Tigers (8-1, 4-1) host Tulane (6-2, 3-1) in a pivotal matchup.
Lewis, who triggers an attack that produces the 12th-best scoring offense (37.7 points per game) in FBS, was injured in the fourth quarter of Memphis’ 38-14 Halloween night road thumping of Rice in Houston.
Lewis, who previously played for Colorado and Nevada, was nicked up while the Tigers led the Owls 38-7 in the final frame and was replaced by backup Arrington Maiden for the remainder.
Lewis went 18 of 22 for 225 yards and a season-best quarterback rating of 91.6. He also carried 12 times for a game-high 87 yards and one of the offense’s five rushing scores.
“We’re still trying to figure out whether he gives us the best option to win the football game,” Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield told 92.9 FM. “If he can go, if he’s fully healthy, we’ll put him in the football game.”
The Green Wave need a complete rebound after a 48-26 letdown on the road at UTSA on Oct. 30, but Tulane’s 3-1 showing in the American has it still in the mix.
Tulane coach Jon Sumrall has deep roots in Alabama and the Southeastern Conference — as a linebacker at Kentucky, an assistant at Troy, Ole Miss and Kentucky, and a head coach at Troy in 2022-23.
With four SEC head coaches already fired this season, that background has Sumrall’s name being mentioned as a coach ready to move up to a Power 4 program.
“You got a job to do, you got to ask that question,” Sumrall said to reporters inquiring about the rumors. “I’ve got a job to do: Coach the Tulane football team. … I get those questions because we’re having success.”
Jake Retzlaff leads Tulane in passing (1,622 yards, seven touchdowns) and rushing (513 yards, nine touchdowns). He entered last week with just one interception on the season but was forced into two picks by UTSA.
Tulane linebacker Sam Howard will be back in the lineup after a two-game absence due to a leg injury.
Memphis and Tulane have been two of the most successful programs in the 10-year history of the American, but both are seeking their first CFP berth.
“It’s a rivalry,” Silverfield said. “As much as the conference has changed in my 10th year here, it’s always one of those a lot of fans have circled on the calendar.”
