AAC/UC Opponent Watch: Week 1

Think the Bearcats played poorly on Thursday? It could’ve been worse. A look around the AAC and at UC’s other opponents.

Purdue only pulled away late from former Bearcat Bennie Coney, who transferred to FCS Eastern Kentucky after playing his way into Tommy Tuberville’s doghouse. Final 45-24. Purdue didn’t dominate EKU statistically, but they did something that UC didn’t against an FCS opponent: the Boilers won the turnover battle, 4-1.

The #15 Houston Cougars got the AAC’s biggest win (and maybe the biggest win in the country) in Week 1, taking down #3 Oklahoma at “home” in Houston. The game was played at NRG Field, home of the NFL’s Texans. UC almost beat Oklahoma at an NFL stadium once, but Butch Jones decided let DJ Woods return punts. I digress. UH dominated the second half and are now very much alive in the national championship discussion. I’m pretty worried about September 15th.

The Redhawks of Miami U. gave up three first quarter TDs, falling behind 21-0 to Iowa. They ultimately lost 45-21.

USF cruised past FCS Towson by the score of 56-20.

UConn needed a field goal in the final 10 seconds of the game to beat FCS Maine. Told you it could’ve been worse.

ECU won the battle of directional Carolinas 52-7 over FCS Western Carolina.

Temple lost to Army. At home. Yep, you read that right. The quarterback formerly known at PJ Walker (now wants to go by Phillip) tossed 3 picks on 12-of-26 passing. Told you it could’ve been worse.

BYU beat Arizona with a late TD at a neutral site in Phoenix. Always good when your premier non-league opponent makes themselves (and you) look good.

UCF finally won a game for the first time in 19 months. They played FCS South Carolina State. Told you it could’ve been worse.

Memphis went up 22-0 on SE Missouri State and coasted to a 35-17 win. But we beat SEMO 70-3 once, so take that, Memphis.

And Tulsa put together a nice game and beat San Jose State 45-10. I keep reading that Tulsa has a chance to surprise some people this year. We’ll see. They’re off to a good start.

And if you want some reasons to back away from the ledge after UC’s rather dismal season-opening win over Tennessee-Martin, here you go:

Tulane only scored 3 points and somehow managed to lose to a Wake Forest that team they held to 175 yards of total offense. Told you it could’ve been worse.

Butch Jones and his “Top 10, loaded” Tennessee Volunteers barely escaped Appalachian State in OT. Cue the Butch Frown.

#25 Florida found itself in a dogfight with former MAC school turned FBS independent UMass, leading 10-7 after three quarters before pulling away to a 24-7 win.

#13 TCU had big trouble with FCS South Dakota State. The game was tied 24-24 at halftime, and the Frogs led just 45-41 midway through the 4th quarter before pulling away with one of the most luck TDs I’ve seen in a while on a deflection by a SDSU defender who was in perfect position.

And Mark Dantionio’s #12 Michigan State team only beat FCS Furman 28-13.

Moral of the story: Move back from that ledge and get ready for Purdue next week. But don’t get your hopes too high when Houston comes to town.

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