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    • Overreacting to Memphis’ emphatic victory over Tulane on Thanksgiving
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    Overreacting to Memphis’ emphatic victory over Tulane on Thanksgiving

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    NEW ORLEANS – Memphis defeated Tulane Thursday night at Yulman Stadium, ending the regular season with an emphatic win and denying the No. 17 Green Wave a shot at the College Football Playoff.

    It was by far the Tigers’ best win of the season, especially considering Florida State’s loss following Memphis’ win in Tallahassee on September 14. Tulane (9-3, 7-1) will still play in the AAC title game next week, and Memphis (10-2, 6-2) will not. But it was a dynamic upset that propelled the Tigers to double-digit wins for the second straight season.

    Here are our over-the-top reactions to their 34-24 win.

    Thursday was the biggest win of the Ryan Silverfield era

    This win will likely always be bittersweet for Memphis fans, as it very clearly showed that the Tigers had the potential to be the best team in the conference, while also meaning nothing in the grand scheme of things.

    The Tigers are not going to the College Football Playoff. In a vacuum, however, this was a huge win for them.

    They were 13.5 point underdogs but looked out of sorts on the field. Tulane never had a strong foothold in the game and it was Memphis’ most complete performance of the season.

    It was reminiscent of last season’s win over Iowa State in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, when Memphis came in as a 9.5-point favorite but the Cyclones dominated. The Tigers have defeated Power Conference teams under Silverfield, including earlier this season, but it’s fair to say this was his best win.

    Memphis’ offensive problems could have been solved by Greg Desrosiers Jr.

    Greg Desrosiers Jr. wasn’t supposed to be. was going to play a big role this season, but Sutton Smith’s season-ending injury during the first quarter of the season opener left the UMass transfer suddenly with big shoes to fill.

    But he suffered a collarbone injury on September 14 against Florida State and missed the next five games. He returned on Nov. 2 against UTSA and has played the past few games, but clearly wasn’t at 100 percent until Thursday’s game.

    And he was excellent. Desrosiers scored three touchdowns (two receiving and one rushing) and eluded Tulane defenders all night.

    Memphis had all the tools to win the AAC

    The Tigers were picked to win the conference in the preseason poll and were a trendy pick to reach the College Football Playoff.

    Losses to Navy and UTSA dashed those hopes, but that doesn’t mean the Tigers didn’t have the tools to achieve those goals. The win against Tulane was another example of this, as Memphis came to Yulman Stadium as double-digit underdogs. The Tigers imposed their will on the Green Wave – who are favored to win the AAC title against Army next week – throughout the match.

    The Tigers had the opportunity to win the AAC and go to the College Football Playoff. They just haven’t proven it on a consistent basis.

    Reach sportswriter Jonah Dylan at [email protected] or at X @thejonahdylan.

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