UCF loss affects New Year’s Six Bowl race
UCF'S bid for a third consecutive undefeated regular season ended following Pitt's 35-34 victory on Saturday. The ripple effects, however, could be felt for weeks. In three of the last four years, the AAC champion has gone to a marquee bowl game. The loss ended a 27-game winning streak by UCF (3-1) and the conference's lock on that spot loosened.
Boise State (4-0) is the highestranked non-power 5 team at No. 15 in this week's Amway Coaches' poll and in the best position for a New Year's Six Bowl. The Broncos are no stranger to playing in marquee bowl games, having gone 3-0 in the Fiesta Bowl.
Also in Boise State's favor? Its conference, the Mountain West, has held its own in non-conference play this season.the Mountain West has the most wins against Power 5 schools with eight.
Should Boise State finish the regular season undefeated, the Broncos will be in the driver's seat to be the Group of Five representative. That's no guarantee, especially with a game at BYU on Oct. 19.
How Memphis factors in New Year's Six race
Memphis (3-0) is 26th overall in the
coaches poll and third among non-power 5 team behind Boise State and UCF.
In the Associated Press Top 25, they're fifth overall among non-power 5 teams.
The Tigers' schedule, which does not include UCF, was Memphis' biggest challenge to a New Year's Six Bowl because
it could be hard to impress voters without facing a ranked team. Now, the AAC looks far more challenging.
Houston was supposed to be the Tigers' toughest competitor but with quarterback D'eriq King announcing Monday he would redshirt this season, the Cougars' 1-3 start could get worse.
SMU (4-0) and Tulane (3-1, 1-0 AAC) emerged as teams to watch. SMU, which has more AP votes than Memphis, has been the AAC'S biggest surprise with its first 4-0 start since 1984 after defeating
previously ranked TCU last week.
Tulane's last-second win over Houston last week confirmed why the Green Wave could be a sleeper in the division. They also hung tough with Auburn in a 24-6 loss on Sept. 7.
Temple (2-1) defeated Maryland 2017 on Sept. 14, but fell to Buffalo 38-22 last week.
If Cincinnati can beat UCF on Oct. 4, that becomes a quality win for an opponent Memphis will see in its regularseason finale on Nov. 29.
“You look top to bottom, the majority of our teams in our conference can compete for a championship,” Memphis coach Mike Norvell said. “Every (game) has to count."
The Tigers play Navy (2-0, 1-0) on Thursday (TV: ESPN, 7 p.m.). A win could boost them into the Top 25 of the coaches' poll.
You can reach Tigers football beat writer Evan Barnes on Twitter (@Evan_b) or by email at evan.barnes@commercialappeal.com