USF Makes NCAA History
USF has already made institutional history thanks to its current 12-game winning streak, which stands as the longest active streak in NCAA FBS football. But the Bulls have etched their place in the national annals as they consistently keep scoreboard operators busy on a weekly basis. After last Saturday’s 34-28 win against Tulane, USF has scored at least 30 points in 24 consecutive games - a streak that began Nov. 14, 2015. The current run broke the NCAA’s modern record of 23 games, set by Oregon in 2011 and 2012.
UCFast
UCF is off to a 6-0 start for the first time in program history after the Knights won a crucial American Athletic Conference game at Navy last Saturday, 31-21. The Knights boast as much team speed as any program in the nation, highlighted by running back Adrian Killins Jr., who has become a highlight-reel regular thanks to his ability to leave the other 21 players on the field in the dust. Killins had a 79-yard touchdown run against Navy and had a 96-yard TD score against Memphis earlier in the season. The Knights look for their first 7-0 start Saturday when they host Austin Peay.
Three For Three
The American has three teams ranked in this week’s national polls for the third consecutive week as USF is ranked No. 17 in the AP poll and No. 14 in the Amway Coaches’ Poll. UCF is up to No. 19 and No. 17, respectively, while Memphis checks in at No. 24 in the AP poll.
Two Friday Prime Time Games
Four American Athletic Conference teams have open dates this week, but you still will be able to find conference teams in key television windows. A pair of West Division games highlight the Friday prime time schedule as Memphis hosts Tulane at 8 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network and SMU entertains Tulsa at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Houston-USF Highlights Saturday Schedule
The lone game Saturday between two American Athletic Conference teams has USF against Houston at Raymond James Stadium (3:45 p.m. ET, ESPNU). The Bulls’ offensive consistency was noted above, but USF also boasts one of the nation’s top defensive teams. USF leads the nation with 16 defensive interceptions, or three more than any other NCAA FBS team. Houston, meanwhile, has set the standard for takeaways in recent years; the Cougars rank ninth nationally with 10 picks this season and have forced 140 turnovers since 2013, the most among FBS schools.
Missouri-UConn In Pow6r Matchup
An American Athletic Conference team will go for its fourth nonconference win against a Power 6 opponent Saturday as UConn hosts Memphis at Pratt & Whitney Stadium (6:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network). The matchup will feature two of the nation’s top quarterbacks as UConn’s Bryant Shirreffs enters the game seventh nationally in passing efficiency (168.6), while the Tigers’ Drew Lock is 12th (160.5). Special recognition is order to Missouri coach Barry Odom, the former Memphis defensive coordinator, who noted during his weekly press gathering that, “in my mind, (The American) is a power conference,” in light of the league’s success nationally.