Memphis Football: 3 takeaways from big AAC win over SMU

2 of 3

HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 24: Southern Methodist Mustangs players celebrates with the fans after defeating the Houston Cougars 34-31 on October 24, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

2. Neither team was fazed by the spotlight

This is the American Athletic Conference. Usually their primetime games are on a Thursday night. Most often the teams in the AAC play either Saturday noon or the mid-afternoon 3:30 p.m. ET game. It just so happens the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 teams were idle this weekend. So they get the prime time game of the week on ABC.

You had SMU who come in undefeated. This has been their best season since the “Death Penalty”. They’ve had some good years since, but for the most part the Mustangs has been an afterthought in college football. They came, and played well for the most part. The Mustangs played like the moment wasn’t too big for them. The Memphis Tigers played a great game as well. The only issue for both teams were penalties.

You didn’t see any nerves. Both teams executed well all game long. There weren’t any turnovers in this game. The execution was clean all game long. Both offenses were crisp, and although the defenses were torched in this one; it was more a case of great offense rather than bad defense.

Home/American