On a bleak wintery day in the city of Memphis, the hometown Memphis Tigers took the field of battle against the visiting Iowa State Cyclones in the 2023 AutoZone Liberty Bowl. For the second time since 2017, Memphis welcomed the Cyclones in a revenge game for Ryan Silverfield and his program. For three weeks, Memphis Football has preached protecting the 901 from foreign invaders; the Tigers struck first and never looked back as they cruised to an easy AutoZone Liberty Bowl win over Iowa State, earning another ten-win season for the program.

Behind a sea of Memphis Blue, the Tigers came out on Friday looking to prove a point, with countless haymakers leaving Iowa State dead in the water from the opening kick-off to the final whistle. Sure, Iowa State plays in the Big 12 conference. However, it was Head Coach Ryan Silverfield and the Memphis Tigers who looked the part of a Power Five Football team on Friday afternoon in the 2023 AutoZone Liberty Bowl at Simons Bank Liberty Stadium. Memphis was far more disciplined and physical and seemed to want it more than the visiting Iowa State Cyclones.

Not to mention, Friday afternoon was one of the best coaching jobs Coach Ryan Silverfield put together during his time as Head Coach at Memphis Football. Coach Ryan Silverfield and his staff switched defensive schemes a few days ago because of something they saw on the Iowa State film. That defensive switch Coach Silverfield and his staff made a few days ago held the Iowa State Cyclones to zero yards rushing for the first time all season.

On the offensive side of the ball for the Memphis Tigers, it was a balanced attack, giving Iowa State the old-fashioned one-two punch with a grueling rushing attack behind the barrage of passes thrown by the AutoZone Liberty Bowl MVP Seth Henigan. Blake Watson led the way for the Tigers with 15 carries on 107 yards in rushing. Seth Henigan scorched the earth with four touchdowns on 364 yards through the air.

Overall, Friday was a special day for the future of Memphis Football. Who knows what will happen with the next round of realignments, but Head Coach Ryan Silverfield and his Tigers showed they belong at the table. Memphis also showed Tiger Nation what the potential for next season could look like if everybody comes back. With expanded Playoffs and an easier American Athletic, the Memphis Tigers have a legitimate hope to reach the CFP next season. Without today and the win over Iowa State, those dreams are fantasy, but today showed Memphis Football can compete with the elite names of football.