The Tigers (7-2, 3-2 AAC) not only lost 44-36, but more importantly lost their chance to make the College Football Playoff.

“Always put it on me,” Silverfield said in his postgame press conference. “And when you write your articles, blame it on me. But obviously we weren’t ready. I blame everyone. And everyone needs to understand that we are in a results business and need to do a better job.

“Offense, defense, special teams, not good enough. Not at all. And so ultimately I have to look and say, ‘Okay, what do we need to do differently?’ Because we didn’t play like we could, but that’s not what good teams do. Good teams go out and perform at a high level. I know that’s what we would all like, but we also didn’t want it.