Memphis doesn’t play on Saturday, so it’s a good opportunity for fans to see what other teams in the conference look like. Four teams already played Friday night, and those were the only two conference games of the weekend.
Everyone else in the conference will play non-conference games on Saturday before the American really gets into conference play in October. Here are some things to keep an eye on in the American today.
Temple
Temple lost to Army on Friday, but they kept it close at home behind a nice performance from quarterback Ajani Sheppard. The quarterback threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns and added 48 yards on the ground.
Can the Owls pull off an upset or two in conference play?
Army
Army beat Temple on the road, but the Black Knights already have a loss in conference play. Army threw the ball only six times, and it ran for 279 yards and three touchdowns.
Can the Black Knights remain in the mix for the conference championship?
UAB
UAB pulled off the upset against Navy on Friday, and it will be interesting to see what the Blazers look like in conference play. Ryder Burton is back as the starting quarterback, and he threw for 174 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Will UAB be a factor in the American?
Navy
Navy is off to a 1-2 start, including two losses in conference play. Most people thought the Midshipmen would be the best team in the American, but with two losses in two conference games, it’s hard to imagine a route available to make the championship game.
UTSA
The Roadrunners are the betting favorite to win the American, but they haven’t played a game in conference play yet. Their only loss on the season was last Saturday against Texas, and they’ve looked solid in their two other games.
They have another interesting game today against Colorado State. The Rams are viewed as one of the better Group of Six teams in the country, and UTSA will have an opportunity to make a statement at home.
ECU
The Pirates struggled in their first two games before beating Old Dominion last week. ECU will host North Carolina Central today, and it should improve to 2-2.
It will be interesting to see how they look against the FCS opponent and if they can control the game.
USF
USF looks like a real threat in the conference after a 3-0 start, including a win over Army, but what does it look like when the Bulls get into the bulk of the conference schedule. Like the Tigers, USF brought in a ton of new players this offseason, and it will be interesting to see if they’re around the top of the conference when Memphis plays them later this season.
Charlotte
The Tigers will play Charlotte next week, so there will be a lot of fans watching them later today against Louisiana. The 49ers are 0-3 and have struggled to get much going, and it will be interesting to see if they’re still winless when Memphis travels to Jerry Richardson Stadium.
Tulane
Two of Tulane’s first three games have been against Power Four opponents, which led to a 1-2 start, but today it will host Southern Miss in New Orleans. Will Hall spent four years as the Golden Eagles’ head coach, and it will be interesting to see how his new team plays his old team.
North Texas
North Texas has a win over UNLV and a loss against Texas State. Today the Mean Green should improve to 2-2 with a win over FCS Houston Christian.
Tulsa
Tulsa might be the most interesting team in the conference this weekend. The Golden Hurricane are undefeated and already have a win over Oklahoma State.
Tre Lamb’s team will play a struggling Arkansas team on Saturday.
How much of a threat will Tulsa be in the American, and will they enter conference play with two wins over Power Four teams?
Florida Atlantic
FAU is 2-1 to start the season, and they have a conference win over Florida Atlantic. The Owls have struggled in recent years, but this could be the season they start making strides in the conference.
Rice
Rice picked up its first, and only, win of the year in week 1 with a 31-3 victory over Houston Christian, but it has played Notre Dame and Western Michigan in the two games after that. The Owls have another tough task on Saturday against Fresno State.
What will Rice show against one of the better G6 teams in the country?
