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AAC Football: Most Important Non-Conference Games in 2017

By Zach Bigalke

Sep 24, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; East Carolina Pirates running back Anthony Scott (3) runs the ball against Virginia Tech Hokies linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) during the fourth quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Blacksburg, VA, USA; East Carolina Pirates running back Anthony Scott (3) runs the ball against Virginia Tech Hokies linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) during the fourth quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 1, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Riley Ferguson (4) drops back in the pocket during the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.Mississippi won 48-28. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Memphis Tigers quarterback Riley Ferguson (4) drops back in the pocket during the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.Mississippi won 48-28. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Memphis lost head coach Justin Fuente and starting quarterback Paxton Lynch before last season. The Tigers still reached eight wins, including a blowout 43-7 victory over nominal Power Five opponent Kansas.

That sort of continuity has served Memphis well over recent years. They also benefit from playing home games at the Liberty Bowl, which allows the Tigers to play Power Five opponents at home. This year is no exception.

In Week 3, the UCLA Bruins will come to Tennessee to take on Memphis. Last year the Bruins had their own struggles, but with touted quarterback Josh Rosen returning from injury Jim Mora’s team should be better this season.

Three years ago, the Tigers lost to UCLA by a single touchdown at the Rose Bowl. If Memphis hopes to contend for the AAC and challenge for the Access Bowl spot, it will need to come up big in this showdown against a Pac-12 opponent.

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