New Year’s Six Watch: Who makes the New Year’s Six if Cincy loses?

After Houston’s season-opening loss to what we now know is a good Texas Tech squad, the Cougars have won nine games in a row. The offense is scoring nearly 40 points per game, and the defense has allowed about 20 points per game. Unfortunately for Houston, their schedule has left them under the radar.

Houston does have one opportunity to put a stamp on what has been a fantastic season. The Cougars have games against Memphis and Connecticut left on the schedule. That sets up an American championship game against Cincinnati if they can get past Memphis.

Memphis is 5-5, but they have upset wins against Mississippi State and SMU, so Houston had better be careful and ready to play lest they get bit by the Tigers.

Both Cincinnati and Houston have a two-game lead heading into the last two weeks of the regular season. Unless the Bearcats implode over the next two weeks, they will play Houston (who has one conference game left) for the American Athletic Conference championship.

Cincinnati has an exciting game against SMU this weekend. The Mustangs have been forgotten since losing consecutive games to Houston and Memphis. SMU is a good football team with a high-powered offense.

The Bearcats need to be careful against SMU. They could lose if they do not play better than they have the last three weeks.