Memphis football didn’t play during Week 13, but it still saw many of its bowl projections change heading into the final week of the regular season.
The Tigers (8-3, 4-3 American Conference) were officially eliminated from conference title contention on Nov. 22. They have one regular-season game remaining, against Navy on Nov. 27 (6:30 p.m. CT, ESPN) and then a bowl game.
Projections for where the Tigers could go and who they could face are all over the place. Here’s a roundup.
ESPN: Birmingham Bowl vs. Florida State or AutoZone Liberty Bowl vs. Iowa State
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach is sticking with his projection from a week ago and having Memphis stay home to face Iowa State. Kyle Bonagura has a different projection this week, and it wouldn’t be short on storylines.
Memphis and Florida State played in 2024 in Tallahassee, Florida, with the Tigers earning a 20-12 win over a Seminoles team that ultimately went 2-10. A rematch would mean an opportunity for Florida State coach Mike Norvell to face his former team once again and build some momentum after it was announced he would return for the 2026 season.
On3: AutoZone Liberty Bowl vs. Cincinnati
On3’s Brett McMurphy is sticking with his pick from last week.
The Athletic: Liberty Bowl vs. Cincinnati
The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman agrees and has the Tigers facing a former American Conference rival in Cincinnati at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
CBS Sports: Liberty Bowl vs. Iowa State
Score another one for the Liberty Bowl projections.
Sports Illustrated: Military Bowl vs. Louisville
Fans often roll their eyes at bowl games, especially when they expected their team to compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Sometimes the matchup or destination isn’t the most interesting, either.
But this would be different. Memphis and Louisville haven’t played each other in football since 2013, but they have a storied rivalry, and this game would have plenty of intrigue. It also would come two weeks after the men’s basketball teams face each other.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Updated bowl projections for Memphis football after Week 13
