AAC Football Fever Power Rankings: Week 3
1. Cincinnati Bearcats (0-0, 0-0 AAC; LW: No. 1) – This is the third straight week Cincinnati leads our AAC rankings, despite not having played a single game. By the time UC finally takes the field Friday night, BYU will already be 25 percent done with its schedule. Next up: vs. Toledo, Friday, 7 p.m. ET.
2. Memphis Tigers (1-1, 0-0; LW: No. 5) – It might be an overreaction, but how can you not put Memphis here? Paxton Lynch—our AAC Player of the Week—led the Tigers to a near upset over then-No. 11 UCLA at the Rose Bowl, falling just short at 42-35. It was an impressive performance to say the least and shows that Memphis can beat any member of the AAC. Next up: BYE
3. ECU Pirates (1-1, 0-0; LW: No. 2) – I wasn’t too sure if East Carolina could come away with the win, but I was very comfortable with taking the Pirates to cover against South Carolina (-16.5). Steve Spurrier was right when he said ECU was tougher than some lower tier Big Ten schools—and after that close call, I’m sure he’d argue that the Pirates could beat some of the best from B1G. Next up: at Virginia Tech, Saturday, 12 p.m. ET.
4. UCF Knights (0-1, 0-0; LW: No. 3) – Justin Holman was named the starting QB over the bye weekend, which comes to no surprise after what he did to Penn State’s defense. UCF’s offense will get a boost with him being under center full-time; can the Knights get more out of their experienced defense against the defending SEC East champs? Next up: at Missouri, Saturday, 12 p.m. ET.
5. Temple Owls (1-1, 0-0; LW: No. 4) – It’s official: Temple is the real deal. Beating Vanderbilt by 30 was nice, but Ole Miss proved that the Commodores are extremely unstable. However, a valiant effort against Navy shows that Matt Rhule has made gigantic strides with the Owls, and that they’re going to compete with the AAC’s big boys. Next up: BYE
6. USF Bulls (1-1, 0-0; LW: No. 8) – Things drop off quite drastically here. USF put up an admirable fight against Maryland last week, but couldn’t capitalize on the Terrapins’ six turnovers in a 24-17 loss. Steven Bench went 14-of-36 for 162 yards and Marlon Mack sputtered 3.3 yards per carry. Next up: vs. NC State, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET.
7. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (1-1, 1-0; LW: No. 6) – So much for Tulsa reverting back to days of shootouts and racking up yards through the air. Dane Evans averaged 4.7 yards per pass attempt as the Golden Hurricane were routed by Oklahoma, 52-7. Next up: vs. FAU, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET.
8. Tulane Green Wave (0-2, 0-1; LW: No. 7) – Tulane held a seven-point lead through most of the first half, but couldn’t slow down Georgia Tech’s triple-option attack and fell victim to three brutal Tanner Lee interceptions. The Green Wave need to roll through its next opponent to muster some confidence heading into Duke week. Next up: vs. SE Louisiana, Saturday, 8 p.m. ET.
9. Houston Cougars (1-1, 0-0; LW: No. 9) – The score may have been 47-0, but for some reason I still don’t feel comfortable with the way Houston played against Grambling State. John O’Korn was OK and the defense took care of business, but the Cougars went 4-of-11 on third down, and three of their first four offensive possessions went as follows: touchdown, punt, field goal, field goal—not exactly a sound start against a program that has lost 23 of its last 25 games. Next up: at BYU, Thursday, 9 p.m. ET.
10. SMU Mustangs (0-2, 0-0; LW: No. 10) – Six points in eight quarters. That’s what June Jones has been able to squeeze out of his offense this season. SMU quarterbacks are a combined 45-for-85 with 357 yards, a touchdown and three interceptions, while the running game has negative 16 yards off 39 total carries. The Mustangs have been outscored 88-6 so far and Texas A&M is their next opponent. They need your prayers. Next up: BYE
11. UConn Huskies (1-1, 0-0; LW: No. 11) – Bob Diaco’s first win as a head coach wasn’t pretty, but the 19-16 gut-wrencher over Stony Brook is a win nonetheless. Next up: vs. Boise State, Saturday, 12 p.m. ET.
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