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Since we are at the halfway point of the season and some key AAC games have already been played, thought it might be a good time to talk about the race for division titles.

Right now, it appears there are 7 teams that have at least a puncher's chance at winning their division. Here are the teams below, with their remaining games against other top 7 teams included:

Cincinnati (2-0) - vs Temple, at Memphis
Temple (2-0) - at SMU, vs UCF, vs Tulane, at Cincinnati
UCF (1-1) - at Temple, at Tulane

SMU (2-0) - vs Temple, at Memphis, at Navy, vs Tulane
Tulane (2-0) - at Memphis, at Navy, at Temple, vs UCF, at SMU
Navy (2-1) - vs Tulane, vs SMU
Memphis (1-1) - vs Tulane, vs SMU, vs Cincinnati

Cincinnati is clearly in the best position to win the east. Our remaining schedule is arguably the most favorable of the bunch, and what will likely be the de-facto division title game against Temple is at Nippert. Barring any really surprising losses, a win against Temple will likely wrap up the division.

Temple looks legit, but they have one of the toughest remaining schedules. Even if they beat us at Nippert, they could still end up a game behind us in the losses column due to their strength of schedule. With UCF already dropping to us, they will likely have to win out to make the championship game.

In the west, SMU and Tulane sit atop the standings at 2-0. However, they both have BRUTAL schedules the rest of the way -- especially Tulane, who has to go to Memphis, Navy, Temple, and SMU, with a home game against UCF also looming. SMU's schedule is also tough, but more favorable with only 2 tough road games remaining.

Memphis has still has 3 really good teams to play, but all of those games will be at home. I have included Navy in this discussion as well, as they have a very manageable conference schedule the rest of the way and should be right near the top of the division at the end of the season.

I think the east will come down to Cincinnati vs. Temple, and the west SMU vs. Memphis. But all of the teams above still have a shot to get to the championship game.

To add to the above, I think Cincinnati is the only remaining unbeaten team with a realistic shot at remaining unbeaten. Hopefully Boise drops a game or two, because the AAC is really going to cannibalize itself in the coming weeks.

Good recap. Remind me - how is the host determined for the championship game?

(10-13-2019 02:24 PM)geef Wrote:  Good recap. Remind me - how is the host determined for the championship game?

1. Conference Record
2. If same, Head to Hear.

I think there are a bunch of tiebreaker criteria if same record and they didn't play each other. Record vs. common opponents I believe is one.

(10-13-2019 02:29 PM)bearcatmark Wrote:  

(10-13-2019 02:24 PM)geef Wrote:  Good recap. Remind me - how is the host determined for the championship game?

1. Conference Record
2. If same, Head to Hear.

I think there are a bunch of tiebreaker criteria if same record and they didn't play each other. Record vs. common opponents I believe is one.

Be nice for Memphis to not be in contention for the West Championship or have a two game lead over them before we play them the last game of regular season.

It would suck to have to play, and beat, Memphis two weeks in a row.

(10-13-2019 03:09 PM)Def Berkkat Wrote:  It would suck to have to play, and beat, Memphis two weeks in a row.

If we beat them the first time, that would be their 2nd conference loss (likely) and we'd host the championship against someone else. If we happen to lose to them (this is predicated on us winning every game prior), it's very likely that we'd return to Memphis for a second consecutive week.

Can't sleep on anyone, except maybe UConn.

(10-13-2019 03:33 PM)franzeal Wrote:  Can't sleep on anyone, except maybe UConn.

For sure. Aside from UConn, I think every team in the league can be dangerous.