P6 Pick’em: The War on I-4 is here

The end of the regular season is upon us, but that doesn’t mean the games are less significant. Tulane and Temple are playing for bowl bids, Navy and Houston are jockeying for better bowls, and UCF-USF will determine who represents the AAC East in the conference championship. A weekend full of excitement awaits, and we can’t wait to see how the War on I-4 plays out.

P6 Pick’em Records- Joe: 68-17 Joey: 71-14

Game of the Week

USF at UCF (UCF -10, Friday 2:30pm CT)

This was the anticipated game of the year for this conference. If you want an in depth preview, check it out here.

UCF has been the talk of the Group of 5 this year, and their success has provided college football fans with plenty of debate. The College Football Playoff Committee doesn’t watch, but plenty of people have seen what this team is capable of. Scott Frost has his team in a great position to win the conference, and beating their rival is just another step in their journey.

In their way is USF, who started the year as the G5 favorite to make the New Year’s Six bowl game. The Bulls have yet to look impressive in a complete game, which is why many believe the Knights will run away with this one. Playcalling offensively has come into question multiple times this year, and slow starts have plagued this team as well. Neither of those can happen if they want a chance to win this game. Quinton Flowers may just have to have a career night to keep pace.

Joe: UCF 38 - USF 30

Joey: UCF 31 USF 20

Rest of the AAC

Navy at Houston (Houston -4.5, Friday 11:00am CT)

No other real significance other than playing for a better bowl game. Both teams lost last week, but one was clearly better than the other. It seems like it’s been forever since Navy ruined Houston’s magical run last year, and the Cougars players definitely remember that heartbreaking loss. It was the beginning their downfall last year, and I’m sure winning this one will be rewarding.

Joe: Navy 31 - Houston 28

Joey: Houston 23 Navy 21

ECU at Memphis (Memphis -28, Saturday 11:00am CT)

This game might appear unimportant, but you can bet Memphis is taking it seriously. ECU is looking to gain some momentum that they can build upon for next year. Their passing attach has taken off in recent weeks, and that is something the Tigers will need to account for. Memphis is hoping their starters can be done by halftime.

Joe: Memphis 58 - ECU 24

Joey: Memphis 42 ECU 21

Tulane at SMU (SMU -7.5, Saturday 11:00am CT)

Surprisingly, Tulane is in position to make a bowl game. A win over SMU would make them bowl eligible, and complete what seemed like an improbably idea. The Green Wave pulled off the upset against Houston last week, but need to find a way to stop SMU’s offense.

Joe: SMU 45 - Tulane 27

Joey: SMU 40 Tulane 31

UConn at Cincinnati (Cincinnati -5.5, Saturday 11:00am CT)

Cincinnati’s disappointing season can end on a high note. So can UConn’s. Not much else to say.

Joe: Cincinnati 27 - UConn 21

Joey: Cincinnati 20 UConn 13

Temple at Tulsa (Temple -3.5, Saturday 3:00pm CT)

Temple gains bowl eligibility with a win over Tulsa, and that should be motivation enough to come out firing. Tulsa took USF to the wire last week, but we’ve yet to see the Golden Hurricane do that in consecutive weeks.

Joe: Temple 33 - Tulsa 31

Joey: Temple 24 Tulsa 10