American Week Seven Preview
Rutgers (4-1, 1-0 AAC) travels to No. 8 Louisville (5-0, 1-0 AAC) for a pivotal Thursday night conference matchup. Both teams are averaging more than 40 points per game, and each can stop the run as well, ranking first and second in the conference in rush defense. Louisville has held opponents out of the end zone, though, allowing just 6.8 points per game, while Rutgers has surrendered 27.6 points per contest, including 52 points in a shootout victory this past weekend at SMU. The Cardinals have won three in a row in the series, but Rutgers holds a 7-5 advantage overall.
Cincinnati (3-2, 0-1 AAC) hosts Temple (0-5, 0-2 AAC) on Friday night as each team goes for their first conference win. The Bearcats opened league play with a 26-20 loss at South Florida, while Temple fell at home to Louisville, 30-7. Temple has not won at Cincinnati since a 28-16 victory in 1985.
Connecticut (0-4) plays its first game under interim head coach T.J. Weist, hosting South Florida (1-4, 1-0 AAC). The Bulls registered their first win of the season last weekend, defeating Cincinnati 26-20 in Tampa. USF scored touchdowns on a blocked field goal and fumble return for their first victory since beating UConn, November 3, 2012. The Huskies have had two weeks to prepare with their new coach after losing at Buffalo, 41-12, in week five.
Houston (4-0, 1-0 AAC) returns home to face Memphis (1-3, 0-1 AAC). The Cougars are coming off a bye week following a 59-28 win at UTSA and look for their first 5-0 start since starting 12-0 in 2011. Houston ranks 15th nationally, averaging 43.5 points per game. Memphis held tight with UCF in week six, but fell 24-17 at home.