When Memphis and UCF face each other Saturday in the American Athletic Conference championship game, it will mark the first time in the last two seasons Knights star quarterback McKenzie Milton won’t appear against the Tigers.

Memphis coach Mike Norvell set aside rumors associating his name with college coaching vacancies across the country Tuesday, saying his focus is solely on the American Athletic Conference Championship against UCF.

The coaching carousel is spinning, and for the second straight year Memphis fans are watching and wondering if Mike Norvell could head elsewhere.

American Athletic Conference commissioner Mike Aresco is taking the approach that the UCF and Memphis offenses did in a 62-55 double-overtime game in last year’s league championship.

The official stats read, “HENDERSON, D. rush for 4 yards to the MEM48, 1ST DOWN MEM.” This moment was more significant than one line on Friday's play-by-play in Memphis' 52-31 win over Houston.

Memphis (8-4, 5-3 American Athletic Conference) overcame a halftime deficit to clinch the AAC West Division over the Houston Cougars (8-4, 5-3 AAC).

Thirteen Memphis players appeared in their last game as a Tiger in Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Friday. Some were major contributors; others saw minimal action.

Memphis: 52, Houston: 31 

The modern college football coach can put the happy shine on almost anything. Even a public sideline spat with a player over a jacket that, well, really wasn’t about a jacket at all.

Memphis defensive coordinator Chris Ball sat down to watch film of the Houston-Tulane game a week ago and wondered if he would have to abandon his game plan – a strategy developed over months.

Memphis linebacker Jackson Dillon’s actions after a tackle and fumble of SMU tight end Ryan Becker during last Friday’s game in Dallas brought criticism from Mustangs coach Sonny Dykes, who called it a “pretty obvious non-football move.”

Memphis coach Mike Norvell stepped out of his pregame meetings last Thursday night, saw Houston beating Tulane 48-17 and knew it was paramount that his Tigers needed to defeat SMU the next day.

The ESPN “College GameDay” crew set up at UCF last Saturday for the undefeated Knights’ American Athletic Conference showdown with Cincinnati. And with UCF ranked 11th in the Associated Press Poll and the Bearcats ranked 19th, it almost felt like a little slice of an SEC Saturday.

Memphis (7-4, 4-3) overcame offensive lapses to defeat SMU (5-6, 4-3) 28-18 on the road.

Matthew Haron arrived in Memphis two years ago as director of football video and wanted to establish a tradition similar to one he had at previous schools.

SMU coach Sonny Dykes and his players know what’s possible. Beat Memphis Friday night and Tulsa next weekend and they will be 6-2 in the American Athletic Conference

Facing a third-and-4 from the Tulsa 5-yard line, Memphis head coach Mike Norvell called a play dormant in his playbook since he was offensive coordinator at Arizona State.

Quarterback Brady White, much like every other Tiger, needed the bye week after the loss to Missouri to rest and recuperate. Head coach Mike Norvell knew his quarterback was “a little banged up” and needed some relief after a brutal stretch of football.

Memphis offensive line coach Ryan Silverfield steps into his offensive line room and is comfortable with the old and new faces he sees, no matter the situation.

Memphis (6-4, 3-3 American Athletic Conference) rolled over Tulsa (2-8, 1-5 AAC) 47-21 Saturday afternoon. 

Memphis’ (6-4, 3-3 American Athletic Conference) blowout of Tulsa (2-8, 1-5 AAC) was a season-best performance for the Tigers defense.

Let’s start with an honest self-assessment: The Memphis Tigers did not expect to be 5-4, did not imagine losing at Tulane and, in the wake of the way the Midshipmen’s season has veered off course, probably can’t believe they lost at Navy.

Memphis center Drew Kyser led the way for running back Darrell Henderson on the first drive of the 59-41 win over East Carolina.

Head coach Mike Norvell believes there’s no magical solution for what ails the Memphis defense. Only one thing can change the Tigers’ fortunes – hard work.

Memphis (5-4, 2-3 American Athletic Conference) fought off a scrappy East Carolina (2-6, 0-5 AAC) for a 59-41 road win Saturday afternoon.