Memphis football has given us plenty to talk about over the past few weeks.

First, there was the win over Mike Norvell and Florida State in Tallahassee. Just a week later, there was the stunning loss to Navy. And then, ahead of an open week, there was the bounce-back win over MTSU.

So, with lots to get to, let's jump right in to your mailbag questions.

How realistic is the College Football Playoff after the Navy loss? - Landon Riggins

Let's get this out there right away: Memphis is not out of the College Football Playoff race. The loss to Navy did, however, take the Tigers' destiny out of their own hands. Here's why.

First, the AAC race. Memphis needs to win the AAC to have a shot at the playoff. If Memphis wins out, the only way it misses the championship game for sure is if Army or East Carolina and Navy win out or if Navy and Memphis tie for second as the only one-loss teams

If Memphis does win the AAC, there are still other teams to watch out for. UNLV, Liberty and James Madison are all undefeated. The Rebels have two road wins over Big 12 teams and play Syracuse this weekend. If they win out, they're almost certainly going to the playoff. Undefeated James Madison, with a road win over North Carolina, would also get in over Memphis.

What exactly is wrong with the offense? It seems like there's some untapped potential we are missing. - Matthew Cobbs

There were plenty of questions about this topic, and understandably so. After carrying Memphis to a 10-3 season in 2023, the offense has not played at the same level this season.

Let's start with the injury to Sutton Smith. Memphis had planned for Smith, the most dynamic player on the team, to play a major role this season. He suffered a knee injury in the first quarter of the opening game and was ruled out for the rest of the season. Greg Desrosiers, who replaced him on the depth chart, has also missed time with an injury. Those losses certainly don't help.

The pass game has looked a little bit off. More specifically, there are lots of plays that look like they've been an inch or two away from connecting, especially on explosive plays down the field. It could be a timing thing, or it could just be that they need more time to get on the same page.

What's our health situation at running back? - Charles Kelley

Brandon Thomas left Saturday's game against MTSU with what looked like a lower leg injury, but he returned and rushed for two touchdowns. Smith is out for the season, and Desrosiers has missed the last two games with a clavicle injury.

Coach Ryan Silverfield said he expects Desrosiers to return this season, but Desrosiers was still wearing a sling on the sideline during Saturday's game.

If Army and Navy finish at the top of the AAC, will they play the conference championship game and then play each other again the next week? Could they eliminate each other from the AQ5 playoff spot with a split? - Robert Jones

Yes. This is a bizarre potential scenario caused by the fact that Army-Navy is a non-conference game. But the Army-Navy game will not affect the College Football Playoff.

Essentially, if Army and Navy play in the AAC title game, the playoff decisions will be made after that game. Either team could theoretically win the conference title game, go to the playoff and then lose the next week in what would be a meaningless game as far as the playoff race is concerned.

What are the chances that we get our first AAC player of the year on offense or defense? -Vance Laws

Though the Tigers have been pretty successful in the AAC, linebacker Tank Jakes (2014) is the only Memphis player to win offensive or defensive AAC player of the year.

Offensively, it's going to be tough to compete with Navy quarterback Blake Horvath or Tulane running back Makhi Hughes. Henigan and Mario Anderson probably have the best shot there.

Defensively, there are more possibilities. Chandler Martin will be in the mix. Elijah Herring would've had a better case, but he missed two games with an injury. If either of them get close to the top of the conference in tackles, they'll have a shot.

Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis football: Do Tigers still have College Football Playoff path?