Group of Five New Year’s Six Watch, Week 4: UCF fortunate, Temple rising
By Dante Pryor
Memphis Tigers. 5. player. Pick Analysis. AAC. 858. Scouting Report. 3-0
The Tigers might not have the non-conference on its own (though they did beat Ole Miss), but they play in the AAC, so that gives them the opportunity to get in the New Year’s Six. Like every other team on this list, the Tigers will have to go undefeated to go to a New Year’s Six bowl.
Last season, the Tigers had on major issue that kept them from a possible undefeated season and the New Year’s Six: They couldn’t hold leads. In their six losses, the Tigers held a two-possession lead or greater in four of them including having significant leads in both matchups against Central Florida.
Well, 12-2 looks and sounds a lot better than 8-6, doesn’t it? If going undefeated is the clearest path to the New Year’s Six, Memphis better learn how to close.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 2-0. AAC. player. 885. Temple Owls. #4
The Owls make this list because of their upset of Maryland this past week, and they have the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on their schedule. If the Owls want a spot in the New Year’s Six, several things have to happen.
First, their starting quarterback Anthony Russo has to cut down the interceptions. He had 14 last season, but is off to a better start with only two so far this season. Second, they have to replace the production of Ryquell Armstead. It seems the Owls might be on to something with their two-headed approach. Re’mahn Davis and Jager Gardner have combined for 388 yards and three touchdowns on a combined 50 carries.
Finally, they have to play better in big games. They, like the aforementioned Memphis Tigers had a halftime lead on Central Florida, but couldn’t hold serve. They’ll get another crack at the Knights this year, let’s see what Temple does.