:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61858725/usa_today_11486607.0.jpg)
Things are beginning to heat up in the AAC, and the next few weeks will provide us definite clarity on each division race. The East appears to be down to three teams, but the West is Houston’s to lose. One team avoided yet another bad loss, a surprising team in the East is in a great position, and some weird things happened with the defending national champs. Here are three things we learned in the AAC in Week 8.
Temple is a team to worry about in the East
Starting the year the way they did, it would have been easy to write off the Temple Owls early this season. Their win over previously undefeated Cincinnati kept them perfect in conference play, and showed how good the Owls are now that they have a quarterback. Anthony Russo led Temple to a big win this weekend, and has this team looking like the dark horse team many thought they would be in the preseason. Temple, USF, and UCF remain undefeated in conference play in the East, and the next three weeks will continue determining who wins the division.
USF continues to avoid disaster
It’s beginning to sound like a broken record: USF avoided a bad loss for yet another week. This one might have been the worst yet. David Pindell and the UConn rushing attack could not be stopped by the Bulls, and the Huskies had a chance to win before falling 38-30. USF hasn’t won comfortably for a month, and it seems that they are destined for a loss sooner rather than later. The Bulls will travel Houston this week, and could be in deep trouble against a dynamic Cougars offense.
Something might be going on with McKenzie Milton
Right before the Knights game against ECU, fans found out the Milton would not be starting and wouldn’t play in the game. Originally, it was believed to be because of injuries he was nursing. The only weird thing was that Milton was in pads for the game. He was seen on the sideline with his helmet on and in the huddle, but never entered the game. We may never find out what the true reason was for the benching, but it certainly was a strange situation Saturday. UCF didn’t seem to miss Milton, as they won 37-10 against the Pirates.