The biggest game of the year for the American Athletic Conference will take place this Saturday at TDECU Stadium when the Houston Cougars (9-0) host the Memphis 
Tigers (8-1). This will be the first time two ranked AAC schools meet as the Cougars come into Saturday at 24th and the Tigers enter the game at 21st in the College Football Playoff rankings.
This matchup harbors major ramifications for the conference and nationally as the college season wanes into its final weeks. Both teams will be fighting for a chance to play in the inaugural American championship game, likely against Temple.
The Tigers entered last week No. 13 in the first College Football Playoff rankings and the frontrunner to represent the Group of Five in a New Year’s Six bowl before suffering a loss to Navy that snapped a 15-game winning streak, the third longest in the nation.
In that loss Memphis struggled to resemble the same team that had been steamrolling offensively scoring a season-low 20 points, 28 below their average. They also uncharacteristically turned the ball over three times, which was half of their season total (6) entering the game.
Meanwhile the Cougars continued their success last week in a hard-fought 33-30 victory over Cincinnati.
Last Meeting
Houston won at Memphis 28-24 on Oct. 11, 2014
Key Matchup: Memphis Offense vs Houston Defense
This game features two deadly offenses that each have a tendency to put large totals on the scoreboard, but the Houston defense is better equipped to do something about it.
The Tigers score the most points per game in the American Athletic Conference (44.8), and have been held to less than 30 points only twice this season. Houston’s defense allows 18.7 points a game, while giving up just under 100 yards on the ground and 268 yards through the air.
The Cougars also lead the nation with a plus 16 turnover differential, with 25 takeaways. This only adds more intrigue to the matchup with Paxton Lynch, who has thrown just two interceptions this season, out of 327 pass attempts.
Players to Watch: Paxton Lynch & Greg Ward Jr.
Each possession for both teams has potential to go the entire field with these two leading the charge. Both quarterbacks have lead their perspective offenses to FBS top 10 rankings in scoring and total yards and you will be hard-pressed to find a better QB matchup in week 11.
Up until the disappointing performance last week, Paxton Lynch had been performing like a Heisman candidate. The 6-7, 245-pound quarterback has driven up his draft stock all season completing 69 percent of his passes for 3,014 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Lynch has thrown for at least 305 yards in eight straight games and is facing a Houston secondary that allowed 523 passing yards to Cincinnati last week.
Greg Ward on the other hand has also been having a groundbreaking season, actually earning himself Heisman Consideration.
Ward has been the ultimate dual-threat for the Cougar offense, dominating both aspects. He ranks third in the nation with 16 rushing touchdowns and also ranks third in completion percentage at 70.4.
He the only player in the country to average over 200 passing yards per game (235.1) and over 90 rushing yards per game (92.1). He is also the only player in the nation to account for double-digit passing (13) and rushing (16) touchdowns.
Bottom Line
This game will be an absolute treat to watch from beginning to end, particularly for fans who enjoy watching offensive explosiveness. It shows all the signs of resulting in a “last team with possession wins” shootout.
Also, when you consider the massive implications this game has, you only add fuel to the fire. So get your popcorn ready, this is going to be fun.
