As September ends, in-conference games gradually fill the American Athletic Conference’s weekly slate. One of the year’s most-anticipated conference games takes place this week while multiple games could impact middling teams’ bowl hopes.
USF and Tulane Fight For Prime Position in the AAC
Despite both teams losing twice to Power Four squads, USF-Tulane remains one of the biggest games of the season in the AAC. Both teams rank among the most talented in the weakened conference. Young quarterbacks lead explosive offenses with Darian Mensah at the helm for Tulane and Byrum Brown leading USF. Mensah and Brown have contrasting styles with Mensah being a more conventional passer while Brown has become one of the better dual threat quarterbacks in the country.
Tulane struggled against the run last week against Louisiana, and that could haunt them against a USF attack averaging 216 yards per game. The Green Wave struggled to contain Kansas State’s dual threat signal caller Avery Johnson, allowing him to amass five yards per carry on eight runs. Both schools still play Memphis later in the year. Thus, a loss this week will put either school behind in the AAC title race, especially with the Academies facing weaker conference slates.
Navy Looks To Avoid a Trap Game Against UAB
Navy’s thrilling 56-44 win over Memphis became the biggest headline of last week’s AAC slate.. This week, the Midshipmen hope to avoid any allegation of an emotional hangover against UAB. The Midshipmen defense must rebound after allowing 659 yards of offense against Memphis.
The Navy offense could have another field day against a Blazers defense that allowed 485 rushing yards in its last two games. The Blazers are 1-2 but had a bye week last week. After a subpar performance against Louisiana-Monroe, Blazer quarterback Jacob Zeno looked solid against Arkansas, throwing for 235 yards and three touchdowns. Zeno could increase his output once again against a Navy defense exposed by Memphis last week.
Will the Real Sleepers Please Stand Up?
A pair of games featuring teams with respectable starts to the season could reveal sleepers in the conference race and clear the conference bowl picture.
2-2 Tulsa can increase its bowl chances with a win over 3-1 North Texas. The Golden Hurricane showed progress in Kevin Wilson’s second year with a win against a Louisiana Tech team that has bowl potential. Quarterback Kirk Francis could have his best game of the season against an often-struggling North Texas defense. The Mean Green defense built confidence against one of the worst offenses in the country in Wyoming, allowing 244 yards to the Cowboys. A Tulsa win helps their bowl chances while a North Texas win separates the Mean Green further from the middle of the AAC pack.
UTSA being merely a sleeper in the AAC is one of the biggest shockers of the season. However, after a lackluster non-conference showing, the Roadrunners must prove themselves against East Carolina in a matchup of two 2-2 schools. The Roadrunners’ quarterback issues subsided against FCS Houston Christian and a porous East Carolina pass defense could build on the momentum gained last week. The Pirates allowed 424 pass yards to Appalachian State’s Joey Aguilar and 223 yards and four touchdowns to Liberty’s Kaidon Salter. Blown second half leads against App State and Liberty have the Pirates’ ability to close games in question. Nonetheless, East Carolina is a sleeper in a weakened AAC with strong performances against the Mountaineers and Flames. The Pirates’ rush defense is one of the most underrated in the country and should have no issues containing a UTSA running back room struggling to produce against FBS competition.
Other Notes From Around The League
1-3 FAU hosts a 1-3 Wagner squad with a solid defensive performance against Navy last year. The Owls desperately need this game to rebound from an embarrassing loss to UConn where they allowed 428 yards on the ground.
Rice and Charlotte look to rebound after tough weeks in a clash of 1-3 squads. Rice took last year’s matchup 28-7. Both squads desperately need this win to keep any chance at a bowl alive
Memphis reunites with in-state foe Middle Tennessee for the 27th time and first time since 2014. The Tigers should have no difficulty against a defense that gave up at least 45 points in each of its last three games.
Go Army! BEAT Tulsa!!!
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