The 6-1 Tigers are headed to their 11th consecutive bowl game after an exciting win over North Texas. Saturday’s homecoming game against Charlotte will feature good weather and an $11 ticket promotion. But still, there’s a cloud of indifference among the fan base.
Why?
I don’t think fans have seen the season as a failure; a single loss to an undefeated team and votes in the Coaches Poll indicate success. But the excitement level surrounding that success has dropped significantly since the Florida State game.
Just over a month ago, the Tigers left Tallahassee with a statement win and a realistic path to the College Football Playoff. Today, a spot in the AAC Championship game feels like a long shot.
To be fair, not everything was in the Tigers’ control. There was no way to predict that Florida State would be atrocious or that Navy and Army would be juggernauts. Regardless, there’s much less for Tiger fans to hope for and look forward to.
Likewise, these hopes were at an all-time high due to off-field events. Playoff expansion and conference realignment opened many hypothetical doors, both of which felt shut after the Florida State game.
Without dreams feeling realistic fans are forced to follow reality instead. That reality includes an 11 a.m. kickoff against Charlotte followed by two stinkers to close out the home schedule.
Since we’re being realistic, the crowd at the North Texas game was bad and I’d expect even fewer fans at the homecoming game. With the early kickoff and the Grizzlies home-opener later in the evening, it’s hard for me to knock someone for sitting this one out.
It is realistic to see Memphis finishing 11-1 with an invite to a quality bowl game, though. Remember how fun the Liberty Bowl was last year?
Beating Iowa State in Memphis reassured fans that the Tigers are still riding decade-long momentum despite a three-loss regular season. But with a higher ceiling for the program, would a game like that feel the same this year?
As fans, we’re treading in dangerous waters. Yes, hope drives excitement and excitement leads to national respect. But when we conflate hope and expectations too dramatically it can lead to rushed decisions; hiring Tubby Smith was a prime example.
Perhaps it’s just part of being a Memphis fan, though. Feeling close but not close enough, good but not great, and cheated by the big dogs has always come with the territory.
We might not ever be content or happy and there’s something to that. But we need to appreciate our successes as well.
