P6 Pick’em: UCF and SMU headed for a shootout

Memphis has control of the West and UCF has control of the East. Both teams are clearly the best two teams in the conference, but we know that can all change quickly. The Tigers play a team that has been bipolar all season, and we at Underdog Dynasty aren’t sure which team they’ll face. UCF faces a team that can match them point for point in a shootout, but hasn’t played nearly the quality of defense they have. Upsets aren’t likely but, like we said, anything can happen.

P6 Pick’em Records- Joe: 55-13 Joey: 58-10

Game of the Week

#18 UCF at SMU (UCF -14.5, Saturday 6:15pm CT)

UCF has been blowing teams out of the water all year, but they might want to be careful against SMU. The Mustangs have the firepower to outscore the Knights, so a shootout might not be what the favorite wants.

McKenzie has been the name that the AAC has begun to know, but many are forgetting about Ben Hicks. The sophomore has vastly improved from an inconsistent freshman year, throwing for 2,305 yards and 19 touchdowns already this season. He’s also limited the turnovers he’s committed, and the weapons around him have also provided relief. Courtland Sutton was picked by many to be an All-Conference pick, but those predictions come with a price. Teams have done their best to limit Sutton’s damage, which has left the door open for Trey Quinn and James Proche to benefit. Xavier Jones, Braeden West, and Ke’Mon Freeman continue to be a three-headed monster in the backfield. The offense has never been the problem, but the question remains: can the defense stop the opposing offense.

We’ve heard about UCF’s explosiveness and domination all year. But they would be wise to not take the Mustangs lightly on the road.

Joe: UCF 42 - SMU 30

Joey: UCF 49 SMU 42

Rest of the AAC

Navy at Temple (Navy -8.5, Thursday 7:00pm CT)

A rematch of last year’s AAC Championship game doesn’t have the same excitement unfortunately. Temple’s struggles and Navy’s lack of dominating performances have contributed to that downfall. Temple is looking to claw their way out of the bottom of the conference, and Navy is trying to avoid a trip their. Zach Abey’s return to the Navy offense could be the difference.

Joe: Temple 34 - Navy 30

Joey: Navy 31 Temple 17

#23 Memphis at Tulsa (Memphis -12, Friday 7:00pm CT)

Memphis really just needs to focus on one player: D’Angelo Brewer. Taking Tulsa’s featured back out of the game will effecitvely take the Golden Hurricane offense out of the game. The Tigers won’t be sure which team they will be getting out of Tulsa. They will still prepare as if they’re going to be in a battle, but Tulsa doesn’t have a Riley Ferguson to Anthony Miller combination to keep up in this one.

Joe: Memphis 44 - Tulsa 24

Joey: Memphis 56 Tulsa 17

ECU at Houston (Houston -24.5, Saturday 11:00am CT)

D’Eriq King should be the quarterback for the foreseeable future. ECU is still....well.....ECU. Not much else needs to be said.

Joe: Houston 38 - ECU 16

Joey: Houston 28 ECU 14

USF at UConn (USF -23.5, Saturday 2:30pm CT)

A conference title is still very much within reach for the Bulls, but they can’t have a hangover game on the road. UConn doesn’t belong in the same sentence with USF, but they are capable of pulling the upset. In 2015, they gave a Houston team that finished 13-1 their only loss, and their inconsistencies might make USF let their guard down just enough. Hopefully, the Bulls are focus and Quinton Flowers does what he does best: torch opposing defenses through the air and on the ground.

Joe: USF 47 - UConn 26

Joey: USF 44 UConn 20

Cincinnati at Tulane (Tulane -5.5, Saturday 3:00pm CT)

Both teams are trying to prove they are solid teams despite their recent slides. A loss for Cincinnati eliminates them from bowl eligibility, but a win sets up a potential four game win streak. Tulane has been the better team in terms of consistency, and they play well on both sides of the ball. Cincinnati’s defense is solid, but their offense remains a relative unknown. That could be the difference.

Joe: Tulane 31 - Cincinnati 23

Joey: Tulane 24 Cincinnati 21