2017 AAC Power Rankings: Week 11

The Knights outlasted SMU 31-24 despite some sloppy play and multiple turnovers. McKenzie Milton threw a pair of picks but he moved UCF down the field with 412 yards passing and the Knights’ ground game did the rest with 203 yards on 36 carries for three touchdowns.

2) Memphis (8-1)

Riley Ferguson had another big day in the Tigers’ 41-14 win over Tulsa. His 298 yards and four touchdowns led Memphis to its eighth win. Memphis has looked great since its loss to UCF earlier in the year and could find itself in a rematch if the Tigers win out.

3) USF (8-1)

Quinton Flowers had a career day with 375 yards passing to go along with three touchdowns to beat UConn 37-20. He added another 131 yards on the ground to lead his team and continue his push for conference player of the year. The Bulls held gun-slinging Bryant Sherriffs to just 133 passing yards which may have been the most impressive result of the game.

4) Houston (6-3)

Quarterback D’Eriq King has been masterful for Houston the past two weeks and was excellent in the Cougars 52-17 win over ECU. King tossed three touchdowns to go along with his 330 passing yards and has completely transformed the Houston offense since he took over behind center.

5) SMU (6-3)

SMU proved it was no pushover in a one-possession loss to UCF but a lackluster fourth quarter proved the Mustangs did not deserve to win the game this weekend. Still, SMU should be confident it can beat anyone in the conference on a good day and nobody has completely stopped this offense in any game this season.

6) Navy (5-3)

It is not a good sign for Navy when it throws 19 times in a single game. The Mids hit the low point of their season this week with a 34-26 loss at Temple on Thursday night. Navy was completely stymied on the ground all game and averaged just 2.6 yards-per-carry on 52 attempts which led to it’s third straight loss.

7) Cincinnati (3-6)

It was an ugly 17-16 win for the Bearcats in New Orleans this weekend but a much needed one for a team that could sneak it’s way into a bowl game with a weak remaining schedule. Hayden Moore did just enough with 248 yards and a touchdown to get the win.

8) Temple (4-5)

The Owls broke a two-game skid with a quality win over a slumping Navy team thanks to quarterback Frank Nutile’s four touchdowns and 289 yards passing. Temple could still sneak into a bowl even though three of their four wins have come against Villanova, UMass and ECU.

9) Tulane (3-6)

Tulane lost a one-possession game for the third time this season against Cincinnati on Saturday and has scored more than 30 points just twice this season. It seems as if Tulane is just one year away but the Wave have played tough all season.

10) UConn (3-6)

Allowing 38.3 points-per-game makes it had for any football team to win consistently and that is the case with UConn. Bryany Serriffs has had a nice season but unfortunately for UConn it has not kept but one team below 20 points in a game this season.

11) Tulsa (2-8)

Tulsa has allowed 79 points over the last two games and even a team that averages 31 points-per-game can not keep pace with the damage it is allowing defensively. Luke Skipper has had his moments under center but he is not Dane Evans of last year and that is why Tulsa finds itself at the bottom of the AAC West.

12) ECU (2-7)

ECU is allowing 46.6 points-per-game this year and still has Cincinnati and Memphis left on its schedule. Too much pressure has been put on Thomas Sirk at quarterback because of a lackluster running game which boasts Hussein Howe as its leading rusher with just 216 yards on the season.