Memphis upsets Tulane, shakes up College Football Playoff
On Thursday, Memphis upset No. 17 Tulane in 34-24 fashion. The jaw-dropping outcome will have massive implications on the College Football Playoff.
In the latest CFP rankings, Tulane improved to No. 17. If the Green Wave had defeated Memphis and won the AAC Championship, there was a chance they would’ve been the fifth highest-ranked conference champion, thus earning a spot in the CFP. Now, that unlikely opportunity has been erased, clearing the way for the Big 12 champion to earn an automatic bid into the 12-team playoff.
Unfortunately for impatient college football fans across the country, they will have to wait until after this weekend to see which teams earn a spot in the Big 12 Championship. As of this report, there are technically still nine teams in contention for a spot in the Big 12 title game.
Alas, Arizona State and Iowa State are the only two teams that control their own fate. If both teams win, they will have a spot awaiting them in the conference championship. However, if either team loses, there is a surplus of other teams waiting to pounce on the coveted opportunity.
For what it’s worth, the CFP selection committee has the most faith in the Sun Devils appearing in the playoffs. In the latest rankings, Arizona State was the highest-ranked Big 12 program, sitting at No. 16. Iowa State and BYU trailed closely behind, landing at No. 18 and 19, respectively.
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The effect of the loss is a punch in the gut for Tulane. This is the Green Wave’s first season under head coach Jon Sumrall, who still has a chance to lead the program to its third-straight 10-win campaign.
Nonetheless, it won’t be easy. While Tulane will still compete in the AAC Championship despite its loss on Thursday, it will no longer have home-field advantage, assuming Army defeats UTSA this weekend. If the Black Knights suffer an upset loss, home-field advantage will swing back to Tulane.
The CFP selection committee will release its final rankings of the season on Dec. 8. Although the playoff picture still isn’t crystal clear, fans are one step closer to understanding what lies ahead in the postseason.