Memphis football is No. 21 in latest College Football Playoff rankings

The Memphis football team made a third-straight appearance in the College Football Playoff selection committee rankings on Tuesday night

The Tigers were slotted at No. 21 in the latest rankings, up one spot from last week. They were joined in the CFP rankings by American Athletic Conference counterpart Central Florida (No. 15)

The rankings determined by the CFP selection committee ultimately decide what Group of Five conference team qualifies for a New Year’s Six bowl game. Boise State of the Mountain West Conference entered the rankings at No. 25 this week.

Memphis is ranked No. 17 in the latest USA TODAY Coaches poll and rose to No. 18 in the Associated Press poll this week.  

The Tigers are off to an 8-1 start and come out of their bye week riding a five-game winning streak. If Memphis beats SMU on Saturday at the Liberty Bowl, it would clinch an AAC West division title and earn a spot in the AAC championship game on Dec. 2 against either UCF or USF.

UCF and USF play one another in Orlando on Nov. 25 to close the regular season. The winner will be crowned AAC East division champion and advance to the league’s championship game.

Even if Memphis loses to SMU this week, it could still win the AAC west by beating East Carolina on Nov. 25.

More honors for Anthony Miller

Memphis wide receiver Anthony Miller has been named one of four finalists for the Burlsworth Trophy, given annually to the nation’s top player who began their college career as a walk on.

The Christian Brothers product is competing against Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield, Washington State quarterback Luke Falk and Wisconsin tight end Troy Fumagalli for the award.

Miller has 67 catches for 905 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. He already holds the all-time receiving yards and touchdown records at Memphis and is four catches shy of breaking the school’s all-time receptions mark.

Marcus Green leaves team

Memphis coach Mike Norvell confirmed Tuesday that defensive back Marcus Green has left the team and been granted a release to transfer to another school.

Green was a junior college transfer who joined the Tigers after spending last season at Northwestern Oklahoma A&M. He began his college career at Oklahoma.

Green suffered a knee injury during spring practice with Memphis and did not appear in a game this year.