Tulane football expects full recovery for AAC title game | Tulane

Offensive lineman Shadre Hurst had a hard time putting his thoughts into words after Tulane lost 34-24 to Memphis on Thanksgiving night.

The disappointment was clear on his face as he tried to process what had happened as the Green Wave fell for the first time in nine games, nearly exited the College Football Playoff race and faced the real possibility having to go to the Army next Friday for the American Athletic Conference Championship Game.

“It hurts because we had high expectations,” Hurst said. “Our number one goal was to win a conference championship, so we’re still on the right track. But the momentum we had, we had expectations with it, and the chances (of making the playoffs) are slim now.”

ESPN’s FPI formula gave the Wave just a 2.2% playoff chance after the loss. However, after Friday’s break, Tulane (9-3, 7-1) will begin preparing for its game against Army (9-1, 7-0) and will hold a full practice on Sunday. The site of that contest will be determined Saturday: West Point, New York, if Army wins at home against Texas-San Antonio (11 a.m., CBS Sports Network), or Yulman Stadium if the Black Knights lose. The tiebreaker would be the teams’ average ranking in four computer metrics, with Wave the clear frontrunner, according to the league office.

“This place stinks,” linebacker Sam Howard said, echoing Hurst. “It hurts. We definitely wanted that, but we have to get back on our feet tomorrow and be ready to work on Saturday. Army will have no pity on us, and at the end of the day our goal was to win a conference championship. That’s still in our control, so we have to do that.”

The Wave’s shortcomings were clearly visible on a rare bad evening. Statistically speaking, Memphis dominated the game with 77 plays to Tulane’s 51, won the possession battle nearly 2-1, outscored Tulane 236-57, converted 10 of 16 third downs and had a 3-0 advantage in takeaways.

Sumrall pointed out that turnover statistics are the most important. All three giveaways occurred inside the Memphis 10-yard line.

“You don’t beat very many teams whose turnover margin is minus-3,” he said. “If those three turnovers don’t happen, we’re probably talking about one last play to find out who the winner is.”

Regardless of where the AAC title game is played, Tulane has a chance to win its second championship in three years, having not won in the SEC since the undefeated season of 1998 and since 1949.

“We have a chance to win a conference championship, which is pretty special,” Sumrall said. “I think our guys will take full advantage of the opportunity and understand that we have to bounce back quickly to do this.”

One issue that needs to be addressed is why an offensive line that excelled in AAC play struggled to create gaps for running back Makhi Hughes, causing the Wave to throw nearly twice as often (33 times) as it did to run (18) was forced.

“They followed us a little bit,” Sumrall said. “We just didn’t reach the level we were used to this year from the front, back and throughout the game. They (the Tigers) are talented. They have really good players in the penalty area. I said earlier this week that they looked like an SEC team at linebacker and D-line. They are physical and dominated at the front.”

Tulane on the other side of the ball was plagued by missed tackles, although the Tigers’ 236 yards rushing total was somewhat misleading. More than a third of that (85) came on a 98-yard drive against a dispirited defense after Mensah intercepted a deep ball with 6:57 left.

Sumrall had no doubt that Mensah had his sights set on Williams, who finished with seven catches and a career-best 130 yards on the game-changing game. The Wave had a first down at the Memphis 49 but trailed 27-17 and were looking for quick points.

The problem was the execution as it took place across the board most of the night.”

“He probably left it a little too far in,” Sumrall said. “He didn’t push it far enough to the sideline. It’s one of those throws that he probably wants back, but I like the decision to throw the ball there.”