1. East Carolina (Last Week: 1) – Won 45-24 vs. SMU, 4-1 (1-0)
After jumping out to a 21-0 lead, the Pirates almost let SMU creep back into the game late in the third. Carden and Co. pulled away, however, and the game was never really in doubt. The Captain also put up another 410 yard, 4 TD performance throwing the ball, which seems to be a ho-hum day for him at this point. Carden would be the clear choice for AAC Offensive Player of the Year if that award was handed out today. ECU is the favorite to win the league and claim the Group of Five’s bid to a New Years’ Six bowl game, but it must avoid a slip-up. The highest ranked conference champion in the Group of Five will get that New Years’ Six bowl bid, and Marshall, who has a cake-walk path to a 13-0 season in C-USA, is on the verge of creeping into the polls. If ECU slips up, it may see Memphis win the league outright, and ECU would then be excluded from consideration for a major bowl. Even if the Pirates are the highest ranked Group of Five team, only Group of Five conference champions are eligible for access to a New Years’ Six bowl.
2. Memphis (LW: 6) – Won 41-14 at Cincinnati, 3-2, (1-0)
After embarrassing the Bearcats on Saturday night in Cincinnati, Memphis is a serious challenge to share the league crown, and maybe even win it outright. Paxton Lynch played well and was efficient, and the Memphis ground game was unstoppable. They were playing UC, so take that for what it’s worth. At any rate, this team’s toughest tests are now behind them, just five games in. As Chris pointed out in last week’s Bearcats BlogCast, the Tigers somehow managed to avoid both ECU and UCF in this year’s conference schedule. I’m not sure who Justin Fuente is friends with at the league office, but his squad clearly has the easiest schedule in The American this year. With no conference title game and UC out of the way early, Memphis basically avoids any additional challenges. If they beat Houston next week at home, they should run the table and finish 8-0 in AAC play.
3. UCF (LW: 3) – Won 17-12 at Houston, 2-2 (1-0)
The Knights found a way to win on the road, despite being outgained and having QB Justin Holman going just 6/18 for 101 yards. Really, UCF should have lost this game, but Houston’s backup QB fumbled the ball inches short of the goal line while attempting to dive in for the winning score. And hey, winning’s winning, whether it’s by an inch or a mile. You don’t complain about winning conference games on the road.
4. Temple (LW: 4) – Week 6 Bye, 3-1 (1-0)
After a bye week, the Owls look to continue their surprising breakout season, and should have no trouble going to 2-0 in conference at home against Tulsa.
5. Houston (LW: 5) – Lost 17-12 vs. UCF, 2-3, (0-1)
The game was sloppy on both sides. Houston starting QB John O’Korn was actually pulled due to ineffectiveness, after tossing two first-half INTs. Somehow, Houston still managed to stay in it, and actually should have beat UCF. Moral victories don’t count in conference play, though, so Houston is out of luck this week. UH wideout Greg Ward, who doubles as the backup QB, led the Cougars down the field, and with 0:24 left, dove for the pylon to win the game. The only problem was that he fumbled literally inches short of the goal line. Fumble through the end zone, touchback, UCF ball, Game, blouses.
6. Cincinnati (LW: 2) – Lost 41-14 vs. Memphis, 2-2 (0-1)
The loss to Memphis was “As Bad As It Gets” – The most disappointing loss in the last ten years of UC football. It really leaves a sour taste in my mouth to see UC get upset in the AAC opener by an inferior team for the second year in a row, when both the ’13 and ’14 teams had so much promise. This team is at #6 in the power rankings, which is right where they belong. Put against any of the teams below them, I still think the Bearcats win. Against the teams above them, there’s no way UC would be a favorite. Even against Temple or Houston. If UC can manage to beat the remaining opponents who are below them on this list (SMU, USF, Tulane, and UConn), the Bearcats will limp to bowl-eligibility. Any higher than a 6-6 finish would be an added bonus. Let’s hope Gunner Kiel’s bruised ribs will heal in time for UC to continue conference play.
7. USF (LW: 7) – Week 6 Bye, 2-3 (1-0)
After a bye this week, Captain Carden and ECU come to town, where they will probably feel right at home, given the giant Pirate ships and USF’s talent level.
8. Tulsa (LW: 8) – Lost 42-17 at Colorado State, 1-3 (1-0)
The Golden Hurricane just plain aren’t very good. After winning their AAC opener against equally bad Tulane, Tulsa should finally lose its share of first place next week when it traveles to The Linc to face a much-improved Temple team.
9. Tulane (LW: 9) – Week 6 Bye, 1-4 (0-1)
Had a week off to prepare for what should be a battle of ineptitude at home against UConn, This game is going to be ugly, which is probably why it’s being televised on ESPNNews. The key could be whether or not Tanner Lee, Tulane’s injured starting QB, can get his shoulder healthy.
10. UConn (LW: 10) – Week 6 Bye, 1-4 (0-2)
Had a week off to get ready for Tulane, which isn’t exactly going to be a compelling matchup (see above).
11. SMU (LW: 11) – Lost 45-24 at ECU, 0-5 (0-1)
The Mustangs showed some improvement over weeks past, doubling their scoring over the past four weeks combined and gaining almost 400 yards. Still, it wasn’t nearly enough. With a Week 7 bye, SMU gets two weeks to watch film and figure out a way to beat Hank Hughes’ innovative defensive schemes and UC’s bone-crushing defensive line. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry right now.