AAC Football Scoop: USF Takes Early Conference Lead

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It is still early but the Bulls of South Florida, 3-2 overall, are 2-0 and in the lead in the AAC so far. This is from a team that has won as many games in the last five weeks as they have won in the previous two seasons. A big win over Navy sees them head to Alabama to take on UAB with a chance to start the year 3-0 in the league. First-year coach Alex Golesh appears to have this team buying into his system and playing football better than they have in years, so far. So far because the season is still young. This week they face a game Blazers squad and the league’s No. 2 passer in Jacob Zeno (157-208 for 1469 yards, 13 TDs, four INTs, 62.4%).

The Tigers of Memphis (4-1) come in right behind the Bulls at 1-0 in conference play. They are one of four 1-0 teams in the AAC. They boast the top-scoring offense in the league at 36.6 points per game and third-ranked defense giving up 21.4 points per game. QB Seth Henigan is the leader of this team and he brings 1376 yards passing with 10 scores and five picks. After a hard-fought win last week against Boise St., the team has this week off to prepare to host Tulane, who is also off this week, at home on the 13th of this month. The Green Wave (4-1, 1-0) will bring the league’s top-rated defense giving up just 17.4 points per contest. This game will be one of those that answer the question, is offense better than defense? At least for one weekend, it will.

UTSA (1-3, 0-0) opens its conference schedule by going to Temple (2-3, 0-1). Texas-San Antonio comes off a 45-14 beatdown loss at the hands of Tennessee. They come into this game with the fourth-best defensive efficiency in the league. They will be going against the team ranked next to last in the league in offensive efficiency. On paper and in the stats, Temple does not have enough offensive firepower. They showed that in their 48-26 loss to Tulane on Sept. 28. Who will make the critical mistake and take control of this game?

North Texas (2-2, 0-0) goes to Navy (1-3, 0-2) with the second-best offense in the league and Navy brings their always dependable run game. That run game was not enough last week in the loss to USF. It shows the need for Navy to come up with a handful of passing plays that can be effective enough to stay in the game. North Texas won a shootout last week at home over Abilene Christian on the strength of an offense that pumped out over 500 yards. Their defense is in question as they have given up an average of 43 points per game so far this year, good enough for the worst defense in the AAC. Looks like we have a too much offense and not enough defense match-up here.

Other Games this week in the AAC:

UConn at Rice (3-2, 1-1)

Tulsa (3-2, 1-0) at Florida Atlantic (1-3, 0-0)

Weekly Awards:

Offensive Player of the Week
Cardell Williams • RFr. • QB • Tulsa- He went 14-17 for 244 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions while leading the way on the ground with 90 rushing yards and another score.

Defensive Player of the Week
Tramel Logan • Jr. • DE • South Florida- Had just four tackles but had a huge fumble recovery he ran back 70 yards for a touchdown to make it 37-23 USF.

Special Teams Player of the Week
Geoffrey Cantin-Arku • Sr. • LB • Memphis- In a game where Memphis needed all the breaks they could get saw one when Cantin-Arku blocked a field goal attempt by Boise and ran his back 80 yards for the first blocked field goal return for a touchdown for Memphis since 2006.