P6 Pick’em: UCF begins their quest to defend their national championship

P6 Pick’em is back! The 2018 season is upon us, and it’s time to make some predictions for AAC football! Joe Serpico and Joe Broback return, and welcome two new pickers for the season. Eric Henry and Michael Settle will join us this season to add some more competition. Who will win it all this year? No one knows. All we do know is that college football is back, and we couldn’t be happier.

Game of the Week

#21 UCF (0-0) at UConn (0-0)— UCF -23.5, Thursday 6:00pm CT

It’s not the best game on the schedule, but it involves the defending national champions. UCF’s magical run in 2017 has been talked about. A LOT. Now, it’s time to move on, because 2017 doesn’t help you in 2018. The Knights break in a new coaching staff and a few new faces on offense and defense.

McKenzie Milton has received plenty of attention coming into this season, and should have a ton of weapons to utilize. He faces a Huskies defense that gave up over 330 yards per game through the air last season, so it’s probably safe to say that the Knights should come away with this one easily.

UConn is just looking to improve. After finishing 3-9 last year, the only way to go is up. The Huskies have some players on offense that will contribute to their success, but the defense remains a big question mark. Until further notice, go with the Knights.

Eric- UCF 62 UConn 10

Joe S.- UCF 52 UConn 14

Joe B.- UCF 56 UConn 3

Michael- UCF 45 UConn 10

Rest of the AAC

Wake Forest (0-0) at Tulane (0-0)— Wake Forest -6, Thursday 7:00pm CT

If Tulane truly wants to be a team that the conference is worried about, scaring Wake Forest is the first step. Jonathan Banks has the potential and surrounding talent to make a run at AAC Player of the Year, and it all starts tonight.

Eric- Wake Forest 27 Tulane 20

Joe S.- Wake Forest 30 Tulane 24

Joe B.- Wake Forest 24 Tulane 21

Michael- Wake Forest 24 Tulane 17

Houston (0-0) at Rice (1-0)— Houston -25, Saturday 11:00am CT

Ed Oliver’s final season begins, and we could see a monster game out of him. Houston has a ton of transfers that fans are eager to watch, so this will give us an idea of what they can do. Is anyone seriously considering Rice in this?

Eric- Houston 45 Rice 6

Joe S.- Houston 48 Rice 7

Joe B.- Houston 41 Rice 3

Michael- Houston 52 Rice 6

Villanova (0-0) at Temple (0-0)— No line, Saturday 11:00am CT

Last year’s contest was a 16-13 scare for the Temple Owls. They struggled early, but hung on to win. Now that they have their quarterback situation figured out, things should go better. Villanova won’t be a pushover, though, so the Owls really need to bring it.

Eric- Temple 35 Villanova 13

Joe S.- Temple 34 Villanova 17

Joe B.- Temple 27 Villanova 10

Michael- Temple 30 Villanova 10

North Carolina A&T (1-0) at ECU (0-0)— No line, Saturday 5:00pm CT

These two teams are already engaging in Twitter trash talk, which adds to their excitement for this game. Someone has to be. ECU needs a miracle to save Scottie Montgomery’s job, and even this game isn’t a given.

Eric- ECU 31 North Carolina A&T 10

Joe S.- ECU 30 North Carolina A&T 20

Joe B.- ECU 24 North Carolina A&T 23

Michael- North Carolina A&T 24 ECU 21

Elon (0-0) at USF (0-0)— No line, Saturday 5:00pm CT

USF should win this one easily, right? Well, we thought that would happen against San Jose State and Stony Brook last year, and that was with Quinton Flowers. The Bulls need to come out stronger than that in 2018.

Eric- USF 35 Elon 7

Joe S.- USF 42 Elon 10

Joe B.- USF 30 Elon 17

Michael- USF 37 Elon 7

Mercer (0-0) at Memphis (0-0)— No line, Saturday 6:00pm CT

How many points will Memphis score?

Eric- Memphis 70 Mercer 21

Joe S.- Memphis 59 Mercer 17

Joe B.- Memphis 63 Mercer 17

Michael- Memphis 55 Mercer 14

Cincinnati (0-0) at UCLA (0-0)— UCLA -15, Saturday 6:00pm CT

Chip Kelly’s return to college football starts with the Bearcats. Luke Fickell looks to produce another AAC upset of the Bruins after Memphis pulled off that feat last year. Cincinnati has some questions at various positions, and this might be too tall of a task even if the Bruins aren’t at their best yet.

Eric- UCLA 31 Cincinnati 20

Joe S.- UCLA 38 Cincinnati 17

Joe B.- UCLA 38 Cincinnati 20

Michael- UCLA 28 Cincinnati 17

Central Arkansas (0-0) at Tulsa (0-0)— No line, Saturday 6:00pm CT

I think we would all like to forget about last year’s 2-10 debacle. Tulsa has figured some things out, but needs to figure out how to play defense. Central Arkansas is ready to pull off an upset if the Golden Hurricane team isn’t ready.

Eric- Tulsa 28 Central Arkansas 24

Joe S.- Tulsa 34 Central Arkansas 17

Joe B.- Tulsa 31 Central Arkansas 21

Michael- Tulsa 37 Central Arkansas 10

SMU (0-0) at North Texas (0-0)— North Texas -4.5, Saturday 6:30pm CT

Sonny Dykes makes his Mustangs debut, and it’s not going to be easy. The Mean Green are going to put up points, and it might come down to which defense can make just one stop.

Eric- SMU 49 North Texas 42

Joe S.- SMU 48 North Texas 41

Joe B.- North Texas 44 SMU 42

Michael- North Texas 45 SMU 35

Navy (0-0) at Hawaii (1-0)— Navy -11, Saturday 10:00pm CT

Navy begins its Frequent Flyer schedule with a trip out west. The Midshipmen face a team that suddenly looks more dangerous than they originally thought. Hawaii shocked many by beating Colorado State last week, and the Rainbow Warriors offense is no joke.

Eric- Navy 30 Hawaii 20

Joe S.- Hawaii 28 Navy 24

Joe B.- Hawaii 31 Navy 30

Michael- Hawaii 34 Navy 28