PASS: Houston, East Carolina, Temple, SMU, Tulsa, USF
Houston was in a funk coming into their game with UCF, and trailed 21-3 in the first half. The Cougars then went on a tear on the second half, and outscored the Knights 28-3 in the final two quarters to steal a 31-24 win, and that win now has them a half game back of Navy after the Middies fell to USF on Friday.
USF led Navy 42-14 at the half, and then led 45-14 in the 3rd, when Navy put on a massive comeback. The Bulls were able to hold off the attack in the end, and snuck away with a 52-45 win. That win keeps the Bulls in a tie with Temple for the East lead, but Temple has the edge in head to head play. USF still needs some help here, because Temple won again this week.
The Owls shut out Cincinnati 17-0 after the half this week, and rolled past the Bearcats 34-13 to hold that edge in the East. Temple has now won 3 straight after a 3-3 start to the year, and is now bowl eligible.
SMU is showing major signs of life out west, aster they rallied for a 35-31 win over Tulane on the road. SMU had everything thrown at the, this week, and survived a letdown after beating Houston a week ago to take the win. The Mustangs are starting to show return on invesment, and at 4-4, could possible sneak into a bowl this season with a strong finish.
Tulsa is in a bowl after their big win over Memphis on the road this week, and they are shooting for more after their 59-30 victory over the Tigers. Tulsa is now tied with Navy at the top of the East division, and they get Navy in 2 weekson the road. Tulsa controls their own destiny, and Phillip Montgomery is building a winner.
FAIL: UCF, U Conn, Cincinnati, Tulane, Memphis, Navy
UCF had Houston down big, and then let up in a 31-24 loss to the Cougars. IF UCF is to be taken seriously, they need to hold on to win these games. The loss takes the Knight out of the East race as it stands.
U Conn is a disaster. The Huskies were blown out by a struggling East Carolina team on the road, are now 3-6 overall, and are just 1-5 in league play. How this is better than Paul Pasqualoni is beyond me.
Cincinnati is also a terrible football team, and I am still wondering what Tommy Tuberville did to earn his contract extension. The program is far worse than it was under his predecessors, and is worsening all the time under his watch. The most overrated coach in America gets more overrated as each season passes.
Tulane is still a program in process. The Green Wave missed several opportunities to beat SMU today, and that is a sign of a young and building football team. The growth is there, even if the execution is not.
Memphis really blew a huge chance today in a 4 TD loss to Tulsa at home. The Tigers are now a full 2.5 games behind Navy and Tulsa, and has lost the tie breaker to Tulsa and Navy both. They are, for all purposes, out of the race.
Navy also completely fell apart at USF this week, and have a major game coming with Tulsa in 2 weeks. They cannot allow themselves to get buried early as they did Friday night. Despite a valiant comeback, they fell well short, and Tulsa is moving the needle higher than the Middies are now.
Bowl Eligible: USF, Temple, Tulsa, Houston
Ineligible: None
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