P6 Pick’em: Can Memphis stun UCLA?

Week 3 is here, and we’re still waiting for clarity from this league. Cancellations have prevented teams from separating themselves, and at least one will still have to wait. UCF’s game against Georgia Tech was canceled this week, and the Knights now will play two less games. Even without that game, the AAC has an opportunity to make a powerful statement his weekend. Four ranked Power 5 teams will play AAC teams, and two of them have a chance to compete.

P6 Pick’em Records- Joe: 19-0 Joey: 19-0

Game of the Week

#25 UCLA at Memphis (UCLA -3, Saturday 11:00am CT)

Want to watch a high scoring game? This might be the contest for you. Defenses are big question marks for both teams, and whichever offense can take advantage of the opposing defense the best will be the winner.

Memphis has played just one game, so it’s difficult to judge what kind of team we will see. This will be their second game, so its easy to wonder if there will still be rust that needs to be shaken. We have yet to see what the Tigers offense will look like in Riley Ferguson’s second year as the starting quarterback. The biggest matchup will be Ferguson and his receivers against the Bruins secondary, but the Tigers run game against a (so far) bad UCLA rush defense will also be something to watch.

This is by far the biggest game for the conference, and there’s plenty of pressure for the Tigers to perform. A win is just another addition the the AAC’s resume in its quest to become a sixth power conference. UCLA may be red hot, but they’ve shown in the past that they can cool off quickly.

Joe: UCLA 48 Memphis 44

Joey: Memphis 45 UCLA 42

The Rest of the AAC

Illinois at USF (USF -17.5, Friday 6:00pm CT)

Will USF finally get off to a fast start? Illinois may have looked like a cupcake in the offseason, but their 2-0 start along with the Bulls lack of energy to open games makes this game interesting. Quinton Flowers needs to have a dominant game to get the hype back in his camp, and what better time to do it than against a Power 5 opponent.

Joe: USF 38 Illinois 20

Joey: USF 42 Illinois 17

UMass at Temple (Temple -14.5, Friday 6:00pm CT)

Temple fought hard against Notre Dame in their opening game, but struggled mightily against Villanova last week. UMass has kept things close in all three of their losses, so Temple would be wise not to overlook them. Owls quarterback Logan Marchi appears to be the only consistent offensive threat, which isn’t great considering he was the biggest question mark entering the season.

Joe: Temple 27 UMass 20

Joey: Temple 17 UMass 14

UConn at Virginia (Virginia -10, Saturday 11:00am CT)

UConn’s offense has yet to show signs of life under new offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, and that needs to change. Virginia appears to be improved in head coach Bronco Mendenhall’s second season, so this is going to be a battle.

Joe: Virginia 24 UConn 17

Joey: Virginia 27 UConn 13

#16 Virginia Tech at East Carolina (Virginia Tech -23.5, Saturday 2:30pm CT)

The line is just 23.5, but it could be more. East Carolina lost to West Virginia last week, and the Mounatineers lost to the Hokies in Week 1. Virginia Tech’s defense is one of the best in the country under defensive coordinator Bud Foster, and head coach Justin Fuente’s latest quarterback Josh Jackson is dangerous.

Joe: Virginia Tech 41 ECU 10

Joey: Virginia Tech 38 ECU 7

SMU at #20 TCU (TCU -18, Saturday 2:30pm CT)

So many questions for this game. Can SMU’s offense compete against a Gary Patterson defense? Can the Mustangs defense improve from last year? Is TCU a legit contender this year? This game, believe it or not, will tell us a lot about both teams. Let’s hope for a thrilling shootout for entertainment purposes.

Joe: TCU 52 SMU 38

Joey: TCU 55 SMU 45

Tulane at #2 Oklahoma (Oklahoma -33.5, Saturday 5:00pm CT)

Good luck stopping Baker Mayfield and the Sooners offense. Tulane has already shown signs of improvement, but Oklahoma is a completely different beast to tame. It’s not that we doubt the Green Wave, it’s that Oklahoma is way too explosive and talented to stop.

Joe: Oklahoma 45 Tulane 20

Joey: Oklahoma 42 Tulane 14

Tulsa at Toledo (Toledo -9.5, Saturday 6:00pm CT)

Logan Woodside is probably extremely excited heading into this week. Tulsa’s defense can’t seem to stop anyone. Whether Woodside wants to hand off to Terry Swanson, or find one of his favorite receivers (Jon’Vea Johnson, Cody Thompson, or Dionte Johnson), he should be able to gash the Golden Hurricane defense at will. The Rockets will need to find a way to limit the damage caused by Tulsa running back D’Angelo Brewer, and force Chad President to beat them through the air.

Joe: Toledo 38 Tulsa 30

Joey: Toledo 44 Tulsa 28

Rice at Houston (Houston -22.5, Saturday 7:00pm CT)

Two Houston teams reunite after a four year hiatus to renew their rivalry. This game has been well received by Cougars fans, and both teams have bonded over a recent tragedy. Hurricane Harvey has caused significant damage to the city of Houston, and both teams rode a roller coaster of emotions with it. Now, it’s back to football, and coming back home is just what both teams need.

Joe: Houston 45 Rice 6

Joey: Houston 38 Rice 7

Cincinnati at Miami-OH (Miami-OH -4.5, Saturday 7:00pm)

An extremely underrated game. Miami is coming off a season in which they started 0-6, but finished the regular season 6-0 to make a bowl game. Cincinnati is breaking in a new coach, and the program appears to be headed in the right direction. Can Cincinnati notch a solid win early in the season against a good team? It’s going to be difficult, but not impossible.

Joe: Cincinnati 27 Miami-OH 24

Joey: Cincinnati 21 Miami-OH 17