AAC Week Four Preview

Week four of the college football season get underway tomorrow with Cincinnati and Memphis getting a seat on the big stage. The Conference play is finally kicking into gear with the Cincy-Memphis game one of two conference games on the slate. Navy-UConn is the other.

• Cincinnati at Memphis: One of the biggest games of week four G5 football. It would have been even bigger if Cincinnati would have gotten by Temple a couple of weeks ago. Memphis survived a scare versus Bowling Green and head into this game at 3-0. A win here and the Tigers could be headed to a mid-October matchup of the undefeated versus Ole Miss. A win in front of a national audience over a good Cincinnati team should propel the Tigers into the Top 25.
• Central Florida at South Carolina: The dumpster fire that has become UCF football this season could get even worse with a trip to South Carolina. The Gamecocks are not their best incarnation, but UCF is one of the lowest scoring teams in the nation at 12.0 points per game. This game will be ugly, with Central Florida falling to 0-4 on the season.
• Navy at Connecticut: UConn proved to the nation that maybe they aren’t quite the pushover of the last few seasons in nearly beating Missouri on the road. The Huskies have yet to face an offense with the efficiency of the Naval Academy. Keenan Reynolds runs an offense that is scoring 46.5 points per game while rushing for 393.0 yards per game. Expect the Midshipmen to be too much to handle for Connecticut.
• Virginia Tech at East Carolina: The Pirates are coming off of a disappointing defensive effort versus Navy in a week three loss. Virginia Tech heads into this game with revenge on their minds after falling to ECU last season in Blacksburg. East Carolina is struggling to put a healthy offensive line on the field, so expect the Hokies to send pressure over and over to get to Blake Kemp. ECU just does not have the horses this season to win back-to-back versus Virginia Tech.
• James Madison at SMU: Under first year head coach Chad Morris, the Mustangs have been much improved on offense in scoring at least 21 points in all three games. Defense is an issue versus good teams with Baylor and TCU racking up a combined 112 points in those two games. SMU will need to outscore opponents as the transition continues with a first year coaching staff. James Madison is no joke on the FCS level in scoring 42 or more points in all three of their games. Expect this game to be high scoring and fun. SMU should be able to pull out the win.
• Texas State at Houston: With a bye week following the big win over Louisville, the Cougars need to watch for a letdown versus Texas State. Both teams come in averaging 43.0 points per game, led by dual threat quarterbacks that make things tough on opposing defenses. The Cougars play solid defense, which should be the differences in the game with Texas State giving up 46.3 points per game so far. Expect both team to put up some points, but Houston should cruise in the second half to a victory. 

Three things to look out for:

1. SMU's offense: Morris and company have the Mustangs rolling on offense and should put up lots of offense versus James Madison.
2. Reynolds rushing TDs: Navy quarterback Keenan Reynolds is eight touchdowns from breaking the rushing touchdowns record (77) held by Monte Ball. He shouldn't break it in this game, but he should move ever closer with at least a couple versus UConn. 
3. A letdown from Houston: Houston had a big win versus Louisville followed by a bye week. Many times that is the recipe for a letdown in the next game. Houston cannot afford a letdown as Texas State can put up points in a hurry and stay in this game. 

Top game for week four:

• Cincinnati at Memphis: This game should be a classic that could go in either team's favor. A win from Memphis and they are on pace for a huge game versus Ole Miss in a couple of weeks.

Worst game this week:

• Central Florida at South Carolina: Heading into the season, this looked like a good matchup. Now, it is a battle of two huge disappointments with UCF at 0-3 and South Carolina at 1-2. The loser of this game will be in bad shape moving forward.

Bye Weeks:

• Temple
• South Florida
• Tulsa
• Tulane