The 8 best AAC games of 2014

A game can be considered the best for any reason. The confidence built despite a loss, the national headlines made from defeating a Power Five team, the excitement of a game that comes down to the wire, a fist fight to end an exciting game or even back-to-back onside kicks to put up 22 points in under four minutes to win a bowl game. What was your favorite?

• Memphis 35, #11 UCLA 42: While a loss for the AAC and the Tigers, this game was proof that Memphis had turned the corner in route to a 10-3 finish and share of the AAC conference title. The Tigers actually had the game tied at 35 in the fourth quarter but were unable to find that last gear in the final minutes of the game in falling 42-35. Memphis heads into the 2015 season on a seven-game winning streak. 
• Houston 25, #25 BYU 33: Another close call for the AAC as Houston took on BYU at its strongest of the season and nearly pulled off the upset in Provo. BYU led 23-0 at one point before Houston came storming back, an ability that would come up very beneficial later in the season. The Cougars pulled within eight points at 33-25 with 7:18 left in the game but were unable to score again in falling to BYU.  
• East Carolina 28, #17 Virginia Tech 21: Heading to Blacksburg to play a team coming off of a win over eventual national champion Ohio State seemed like a tall order for the Pirates. Despite the odds being out of favor, East Carolina stunned the Hokies with 21 first quarter points in holding on for a 28-21 victory. Carden threw for 427 yards and three touchdowns in dismantling a defense that virtually shut down Ohio State in its previous game. 
• East Carolina 70, North Carolina 41: Seven days after pulling off a huge upset over Virginia Tech, the Pirates backed up that win with a dismantling of in-state foe North Carolina to the tune of 70-41. Carden again threw for 400+ yards for East Carolina who held a 55-27 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Despite the back to back huge wins, East Carolina's momentum stalled in conference play in finishing a disappointing fourth in the AAC. 
• East Carolina 46, Cincinnati 54: In a game that saw 1,165 yards of total offense and 100 total points scored, the Bearcats pulled out a 54-46 win over East Carolina. Cincy's Kiel went 29-44 for 436 yards and 4 touchdowns while Carden threw 35-61 for 425 yards and 2 touchdowns in the loss. Cincinnati controlled the game in the third quarter with a 38-20 lead but saw East Carolina go on a 26-7 run and take a 46-45 lead with one minute remaining. Kiel dorve the Bearcats down for a 47-yard field goal that was made with :15 left on the clock. A fumble return for a touchdown as the clock expired made the gap wider on one of the most entertaining games of the year. 
• UCF 32, East Carolina 30: In one of the wildest fourth quarters in recent memory, Central Florida went from fully confident to completely despondent to absolute jubilation in a 32-30 win over East Carolina. The Knights held a dominant 26-9 lead over the Pirates heading into the fourth quarter but watched helplessly as ECU quarterback Shane Carden tossed two touchdown passed to pull ECU within 26-23 with ten minutes left in the game. Carden seemed to put the dagger in the heart of the Knights with a touchdown pass with 2:17 left in the game to take a 30-26 lead. With hope that a miracle would be answered, UCF quarterback Justin Holman lofted a hail mary that Breshad Perriman caught with no time on the clock to give UCF a stunning 32-30 win over East Carolina.
• Memphis 55, BYU 48: Known more for the post game melee, Memphis' 55-48 win over BYU in the Miami bowl was one of the most exciting games of the 2014 bowl season. Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch had the game of his life, accounting for 7 total touchdowns (4 passing, 3 rushing) in the back and forth game. The fourth quarter alone saw both teams take seven point lead before surrendering them with Lynch finding Keiwon Malone for a five-yard touchdown pass to send the game to overtime. After both teams making field goals from 40+ yards, including a 54-yarder from Memphis' Jake Elliot, the Tigers finally broke through with a double overtime touchdown to win the game and set off a fight that dominated headlines for weeks following the game.
• Houston 35, Pittsburgh 34: Trailing 34-13 with 6:14 left in the game, most teams fire up the buses and head for the exits. Houston was not one of those programs with the Cougars scoring three times in the last 3:41 and securing a two point conversion to pull out a 35-34 win in the Armed Forces Bowl. With 3:41 left and Houston cutting the lead to 34-20, the decision was made to kick an onside kick and try to score again as soon as possible to extend the game. The conversion was successful and the Cougars found paydirt once again with 1:58 left and the Pitt lead down to 34-27. The only decision that could be made was another onside kick, again recovered by Houston with nearly two minutes to play. The Cougars drove 57 yards in four plays to cut the score to 34-33 with a PAT left to kick. Rather than kick, Houston went for the win and completed the conversion to take a 35-34 lead with :59 left in the game. Pitt got to midfield before turning the ball over on downs and the game to Houston.