For the American Athletic Conference, it’s a pivotal year. Suitably, the three leaving teams (Cincinatti, UCF, and Houston) highlight a fairly light nonconference schedule for the league.
Nonconference games traditionally let a team tune up for the conference schedule. This ain’t dem games. This is a matchup, a test, a burgeoning rivalry, a future arch-enemy. These are circled games, no parents allowed, tell your significant other the wrong day, send them to the movies game. “Rub some dirt on it son, and get back in” games.
Sat, Sep 3 Cincinnati at Arkansas 3:30pm ESPN
An early bellwether game, this is last year’s coach of the year, Luke Fickell taking his team to SEC territory. Arkansas was good last year, but in the SEC usually good isn’t enough. This should be one of the AAC’s highest-rated nonconference games of the year.
Sat, Sep 3 Memphis at Miss. State 6:30pm ESPNU
In what has almost become a rivalry game, Memphis travels to Starkville. Led by second-year QB Seth Hennigan, he’ll duel against Mike Leech’s high-powered offense. This should be a slobberknocker, though, as this game traditionally has been a low-scoring affair for both teams. Mississippi State QB Will Rogers, on the preseason Maxwell Award watchlist, hopes to prevail against what has lately been a weak Memphis defense.
Sat, Sep 10 Houston at Texas Tech 4:00pm FS1
A tough tough early litmus test for Houston’s entry in 2023 into the Big 12. I’m certain the Texas Tech fanbase will welcome them in southern style into their new conference Houston’s QB Tune is on the preseason Doak Walker All American watchlist.
The AAC vs the ACC portion of the Schedule, the top of the phone-book battles
Sat, Sep 17 SMU @Maryland 6:30 PM FS1
An early season indicator game, this is AAC in primetime. SMU is led by QB Tanner Mordecai, he is on the preseason Doak Walker All-American Watchlist. Maryland is talented and features Taulia Tagovailoa, brother of the Dolphins QB Tua.
Sat, Sep 24 Georgia Tech at UCF TV coverage not announced
A visit from an ACC school. Regardless of the AAC schedule, that will always be one of the 3-4 toughest games on the UCF schedule. But Jeff Sims at QB should lead Georgia Tech into this game with hopes of an upset.
All times listed ET, and are subject to change by university and/or television coverage.
