Just when you think you've got a handle on college football, a game like Memphis and UAB comes along and says, "hold my beer."
The 22nd-ranked and unbeaten Tigers strolled into Birmingham last Saturday as a 23.5-point favorite over UAB. but they crawled out three hours and 27 minutes later to explain how they lost 31-24.
The Blazers were playing for interim coach Alex Mortenson after firing Trent Dilfer earlier in the week. They were also without starting quarterback Jalen Kitna. Twice in the final minute, Memphis had the ball at UAB's 1-yard line with a chance tie, but committed false start penalties. On fourth down at the Blazers' 6-yard line, the Tigers were flagged for delay of game.
Incredible.
What does all of this have to do with USF?
Well, the Bulls head to Memphis at noon on Saturday for a game that was already assured to be one of the most anticipated American Conference battles this season. Now, the Bulls will have to deal with a team whose desperation needle probably red-lined after the fiasco in Birmingham.
That's because Memphis still has a shot at the American championship, but will likely have to run the table against USF, Tulane, and Navy.
"We got outcoached," Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield said afterward as reported by the Commercial Appeal. "And ultimately, we have to find ways to execute better. What I told them in the locker room is: 'One game will not define our season.'
"We're 6-1. And it should hurt. We should be pissed off. We should be unhappy. We should be very disappointed. Ultimately, we have to learn from this."
Navy, USF, and Tulane are unbeaten in the American, while Memphis is now one of four teams with only one conference loss. The top two teams after the regular season will meet in the conference championship game at the home field of the No. 1 finisher.
The Bulls are certainly flying high. They demolished Florida Atlantic 48-13 on Saturday for their fourth straight win. They ran up 522 yards of offense, and linebacker Mac Harris was the American Defensive Player of the Week after recording 10 tackles, a sack, and 2.5 tackles for a loss against the Owls.
Quarterback Byrum Brown received honorable mention after rushing for 111 yards, throwing for 256 yards, and accounting for four touchdowns.
Yeah, the Bulls are cooking.
However, the Tigers' upset loss is a big reminder that nothing is certain in college football besides uncertainty.
This season is turning into a humongous demolition derby.
Keep that in mind, even if USF wins on Saturday. After all, the Bulls also have to travel to UAB on November 22.
As the Commercial Appeal noted, "The UAB game was supposed to be the easy one" on the Tigers remaining schedule.