As For Football
An insider's guide for cadets, Old Grads, and Army Football fans.
Via @GreenWaveFB.

American Conference Preview: Week 8

|

Each week seems to top the previous in the American. Last week’s amazing slate of upsets and high-scoring affairs sets a lofty standard for this week, but the conference will surely deliver. 

Another pair of weeknight clashes and a battle of Owls headlines this week’s slate. Without further ado, let’s go #AroundTheAmerican

Memphis and East Carolina Seek Redemption on Thursday Night

The league’s two weeknight losers from last week receive another standalone opportunity against each other tonight (7:30 ET, ESPN2). Memphis hosts East Carolina after a stunning 31-17 loss to Tulane where they committed six turnovers. The Tigers look to avenge last year’s loss that virtually eliminated them from conference contention.

Tiger QB Marcus Stokes faces another quality secondary against East Carolina. Stokes had three interceptions against Tulane, doubling his total for the season. The Pirates enter the game allowing 187 passing yards per game. More amazingly, East Carolina has given up just three touchdown passes in their first six games. If Stokes is not careful, he could have a repeat of last Friday’s nightmare.

East Carolina’s offense has struggled to keep pace with their exceptional defense. RB TJ Engleman has looked like one of the league’s best backs, rushing for 490 yards, but the Pirates have lacked consistent quarterback play to go with his success. After taking the starting job three games ago, QB Emory Williams is averaging just 135 passing yards per game against FBS competition. He posted ESPN Quarterback Ratings (QBRs) of 32.0 and 24.0 against Rice and UAB, respectively. This week, he faces a Memphis pass defense that has allowed a mere 124 passing yards per game over their last three contests.

Although tonight’s game is crucial, it’s difficult to say it’s a “must-win” regarding the conference race due to the parity across the league. Memphis needs this win to keep its faint College Football Playoff hopes alive. However, a loss will not necessarily eliminate either team from conference contention, though it might make hosting the Conference Championship unrealistic.

Battle of the Owls in Boca Raton

FAU faces its second option offense in a row this week when it faces Rice in a battle of the Owls (Saturday 12 PM ET, ESPNU). FAU hopes to have better luck against the option this week after allowing 479 rushing yards against Army last Saturday. They’ll face a Rice team averaging 239 rushing yards per game this season.

To be fair, that’s 118 fewer yards per game than they saw last week on almost 1.7 fewer yards per carry.

Meanwhile, QB Caden Veltkamp faces a Rice secondary that has allowed 13 touchdown passes while intercepting only two. QB Cale Hellums and Army’s rushing exploits overshadowed a stellar day by Veltkamp last week. He threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns.

Navy Looks For Revenge Against North Texas

Last year, Navy-North Texas proved to be arguably the most impactful regular season game in the American Conference. The Mean Green’s win over the Midshipmen effectively boxed Navy out of the American Conference Championship. This year, stakes are high for just one school, but the game still has some intrigue (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBSSN).


Navy’s pass defense will try to contain UNT QB Tayven Jackson and North Texas’ high-flying passing game. Jackson is averaging 311 passing yards per game with 18 touchdowns at the season’s halfway point. The Midshipmen just allowed 359 yards to UTSA QB Owen McCown. 

But the Midshipmen’s run game could neutralize the Mean Green. North Texas’ run defense isn’t terrible, allowing 163 non-sack rushing yards per game, but those numbers aren’t magnificent either. Navy discovered a new deep threat in TE Jordan Collins last week. Collins caught two passes for 117 yards, including a 92-yard touchdown pass to help Navy stay in their game for four full quarters.

The path for North Texas to claim a spot in the American Conference Championship looks clearer after losses by Memphis and FAU last week. The Mean Green have a favorable schedule and a date with UTSA that could give them a key tiebreaker. By comparison, Navy is in a do-or-die situation for bowl eligibility. The Midshipmen are 2-4 and must reach six wins before Army-Navy. A loss to North Texas forces Navy to win its four remaining games ahead of America’s Game, including one against Notre Dame in order to reach the postseason.

UTSA Looks to Avoid an Upset Against Tulane

Amid the chaos the American has seen halfway through the season, the league has one bona fide College Football Playoff contender. With a 6-1 record, UTSA is the last one-loss team remaining in the league. The Roadrunners face a legitimate upset threat at Tulane, however, this Saturday (8 PM ET, ESPNU).

Tulane’s powerful running game should help the Green Wave hang around against the Roadrunners. UTSA has allowed 205 non-sack rushing yards per game and over five yards per carry. Likewise, the Green Wave have struggled defending the run themselves. Tulane enters this game allowing 226 non-sack rushing yards per game. That matters because the Roadrunners have one of the deepest backfields in the country. The trio of Will Henderson III, A’Marion Peterson, and Brandon High combine for an average of 157 yards per game.

The Tulane game begins a difficult three-game stretch for UTSA. The Roadrunners will face FAU and North Texas over the next two weeks before finishing with middling UAB and Tulsa. On the other hand, a win against UTSA puts the Green Wave on a more comfortable trajectory to bowl eligibility and maybe even back into American Conference Championship conversations. The Green Wave would have tiebreakers over the two of the best teams in the conference.

We’ve once again got an excellent slate this week. What are you watching, friends?

Go Army! BEAT Tulsa!!!

About the Author

Omar-Rashon Borja

Just a guy being a dude and writing mostly about college football and occasionally other things. Writing helped me through my first heartbreak and my other interests are playing R&B songs on the keyboard, ballroom dance, and most importantly Jesus :) Read more of Omar's work at Redshirt Sports.

Share via
Facebook
X (Twitter)
LinkedIn
Mix
Email
Print
Copy Link
Powered by Social Snap
Copy link
CopyCopied
Powered by Social Snap
✕
AFF

FREE
VIEW