AAC Power Rankings: Week 7
We saw another disappointing showing from the Bearcats this week, but there were also a few interesting results from around the rest of the conference.
Here are my Week 7 AAC Power Rankings
1. East Carolina (Last Week: 1) – Won 28-17 at South Florida, 5-1 (2-0)
Is ECU going to be this year’s UCF? What I mean by that is this: last year, UCF finished undefeated in AAC play and went to the Fiesta Bowl, but in the process, the Knights had close calls seemingly every week, even against the lowliest of opponents. This week, East Carolina trailed South Florida 17-14 through three quarters, before scoring two TDs in the 4th to win on the road. The Pirates are clearly more talented than everyone on the rest of their schedule, but they will have to earn it.
2. UCF (LW: 3) – Won 31-24 (OT) vs. BYU, 3-2 (1-0)
This was a good win for The American Conference. Not as big as it could have been if BYU hadn’t stumbled against Utah State and maintained their #19 ranking, but still, a good win against a solid team. And okay, UCF may have benefited from a “questionable” pass interference no-call in OT. And by “may have” and “questionable,” I mean that the game ending fourth-down pass thrown by BYU was definitely defensive pass interference. But regardless of how they did it, the Knights won. They are in great position to make a run at winning the league, and will be one of the league’s top teams all year.
3. Temple (LW: 4) – Won 35-24 vs. Tulsa, 4-1 (2-0)
Temple is having a great year thus far, but hasn’t really faced any strong competition yet. They found themselves tied with Tulsa through three quarters before pulling away. We’ll find out if they’re for real or not as a conference contender when they travel to Houston this Friday night.
4. Houston (LW: 5) – Won 28-24 at Memphis, 3-3, (1-1)
Greg Ward, Jr., the former wideout that made the move to QB, appears to have supplanted John O’Korn in the starting role under center. The dual-threat Ward threw for 168 and rushed for 95 as he led Houston to a road victory in Memphis. This team is a definitely a decent football team, and would have been in the thick of the AAC race if not for Ward’s goal line fumble in last week’s heartbreaking loss to UCF.
5. Memphis (LW: 2) – Lost 28-24 vs. Houston, 3-3, (1-1)
Memphis had it’s plate set to run the table in conference play, thanks to it’s soft league schedule and a road win in Cincinnati. But the Tigers slipped up at home against Houston, proving that they aren’t quite as good as they looked against UC’s pathetic defense. I still like their chances to have a pretty good season due to said cakewalk schedule.
6. Cincinnati (LW: 6) – Lost 55-34 at Miami (FL), 2-3 (0-1)
Can this team regroup and rally as conference play resumes? Through five games, the results have been embarrassing, especially on defense. Gunner Kiel also did not have one of his better games against Miami, turning the ball over three times. He still showed flashed of brilliance against “The U,” but he has to take better care of the football if UC is going to go to a bowl game this year. Turnovers will kill any team, but this team in particular can’t afford to give opponents short fields due to its defensive shortcomings.
Before the season, and even after the Toledo game, this would have sounded crazy, but here goes: UC’s upcoming three game stretch against doormats SMU, USF, and Tulane is now crucially important. UC absolutely must win all three of these games, given the caliber of the opposition. If they do not win three in a row here, I’m not sure I see the Bearcats reaching six wins (and bowl eligibility) this year. And frankly, if they don’t win all three, they don’t deserve to go to a bowl game. These are three really bad teams.
7. USF (LW: 7) – Lost 28-17 vs. ECU, 2-4 (1-1)
USF put up a fight against the visiting Pirates, but their upset bid was denied when ECU scored 21 unanswered points in the final 21 minutes to come from behind and win going away. The Bulls’ offense is far from overpowering, and was basically non-existent after halftime, gaining just 97 yards after the break.
8. Tulsa (LW: 8) – Lost 35-24 at Temple, 1-4 (1-1)
Tulsa held a fourth-quarter lead on the road against Temple, but then fell apart and gave up two long TD drives. At least this team can score a few points, which separates them from the bottom three.
9. Tulane (LW: 9) – Won 12-3 vs. UConn, 2-4 (1-1)
The score of this game pretty much says it all – a terrible game between two very bad teams. At least Tulane pulled out the W. Nick Montana, son of Notre Dame and 49ers legend Joe Montana, has take over the quarterbacking duties until the injured Tanner Lee gets healthy.
10. UConn (LW: 10) – Lost 12-3 at Tulane, 1-5 (0-3)
UConn’s offense is downright dreadful. They just can’t do anything. Don’t worry, Huskies offense. You get to play the Bearcats defense on Nov. 22.
11. SMU (LW: 11) – Week 7 Bye, 0-5 (0-1)
Had the week off to study the abundance of tape on how to beat Hank Hughes’ defensive schemes. And sadly, I give the Mustangs a legitimate chance this Saturday against UC. Yikes.