P6 Pick’em: The AAC East heats up

There is a tie for first! After weeks of sitting alone at the top, Michael is joined by Joe B for first place. The race for first in P6 Pick’em is still anyone’s to take. Joe S and Eric are just a couple games behind, and the AAC division will be decided in the next few weeks. Temple, USF, UCF and Cincinnati will all face each other in the next month to decide the crowded East, and that could shake up our standings as well.

Game of the Week

Temple (+10.5) at # UCF

This game is bigger than people might realize. Temple is undefeated in conference play, and so are the Knights. The winner takes control of the AAC East, and if that’s Temple.......a lot of UCF fans will not be happy. It’s been a tale of two seasons for Temple so far. First, they’re losing to teams like Villanova and Buffalo. Then, they’re knocking off unbeaten teams like Cincinnati and adding Power 5 wins to the resume with a win over Maryland. Which team will play UCF? Owls fans are hoping it’s the latter team.

Michael: UCF 38 Temple 35

Joe B: UCF 35 Temple 24

Joe S: UCF 35 Temple 21

Eric: UCF 40 Temple 24

Rest of the AAC

Memphis (-13) at ECU

Imagine what the line would have been if this were being played at the beginning of the year. This line tells you where both programs are this far into the season. Luckily for Memphis, Darrell Henderson comes back and could provide a much needed spark.

Michael: Memphis 52 ECU 30

Joe B: Memphis 42 ECU 28

Joe S: Memphis 35 ECU 20

Eric: Memphis 45 ECU 24

Tulane (+7.5) at USF

USF’s perfect season is over, but a conference championship is very much within reach. Tulane’s trying to keep their bowl hopes alive in this one, and the don’t have much room for error left.

Michael: USF 38 Tulane 24

Joe B: USF 30 Tulane 27

Joe S: USF 31 Tulane 24

Eric: USF 35 Tulane 18

Navy (+14) at Cincinnati

What’s concerning is that Garrett Lewis hasn’t looked great in his few starts at quarterback for Navy. Neither has Malcolm Perry. Zach Abey might be the next option if Lewis can’t figure it out.

Michael: Cininnati 34 Navy 14

Joe B: Cincinnati 27 Navy 14

Joe S: Cincinnati 30 Navy 21

Eric: Cincinnati 38 Navy 17

Houston (-13) at SMU

SMU seems to give Houston more trouble than expected, so you can bet the Cougars refocused after a big win last week. D’Eriq King had a career game, and should be up for another one. Ed Oliver is coming back too, which could give the defense some help. They missed him last week.

Michael: Houston 49 SMU 28

Joe B: Houston 49 SMU 42

Joe S: Houston 49 SMU 31

Eric: Houston 42 SMU 17

UConn (+18) at Tulsa

There are two games where David Pindell can win it by himself. This is one of them. Tulsa’s defense isn’t bad, but Pindell is a talent they might not be able to handle. The Golden Hurricane are hoping their own quarterback, Seth Boomer, can complete even half of his passes. Who will get win number two? It’s up to Boomer for Tulsa and anyone not named Pindell for UConn.

Michael: Tulsa 35 UConn 24

Joe B: Tulsa 31 UConn 28

Joe S: Tulsa 27 UConn 21

Eric: Tulsa 24 UConn 17