NO. 21 HOUSTON

11-1 OVERALL, 8-0 IN AMERICAN

After dropping their first game against Texas Tech, the Cougars quietly put together an impressive season to land in their first AAC title game since 2015. With the ninth-best scoring offense in the country (38.8 points per game) and 19th-best scoring defense (19.8), Houston and coach Dana Holgorsen will provide a stout test for Cincinnati. Freshman running back Alton Mccaskill ranks ninth nationally with 16 rushing touchdowns and the defense has recorded 41 sacks (tied for fourth nationally), led by junior D’anthony Jones.