The Memphis Tigers (11-1) will host the 2019 AAC Championship game against the Cincinnati Bearcats (10-2) Saturday. The Tigers will look to repeat last week’s success.
Frank Ramirez
This game is the moment many Memphis fans have spent years waiting for. The chance to win a conference title on their home field and the potential of a New Year’s Six Bowl matchup is something you wouldn’t believe just 10 years ago.
While the fans have that and other ruckus on their minds, Mike Norvell is focused on a Cincinnati team that is eyeing revenge. With their backup quarterback, Ben Bryant struggling with keeping the ball safe with two interceptions, Desmond Ridder looks to make things different after missing last week’s game due to injury.
In regard to Memphis, the Tigers need just one player to have a big game to capture their first AAC title. Whether that is Brady White, Damonte Coxie, Kenneth Gainwell or even a defensive player, all it takes is one.
Expect to see a close game again this time around, but I would not be surprised to see the Bearcats lead early on. But a potential nail-biter should sway into Memphis’ favor.
Score Prediction: Memphis 42-35 Cincinnati
Reggie Reed
Here we go again! The Tigers and Bearcats, but this time it is for the AAC Championship. Memphis outlasted Cincinnati last week 34-24 to win their third straight AAC West crown and marked their first 11-win season.
The Bearcats were without their star quarterback Desmond Ridder, but star RB Michael Warren II did his job even though it was not enough. Memphis offense was not as impressive for the full 60 minutes like much of every game this season, but it did shine when QB Brady White got the ball to WR Damonte Coxie.
Coxie had six catches for 145 yards and one touchdown. I expect the offense to reestablish their run game to open up more of their passing attack. The defense will make the necessary adjustments, as they were exposed in their run defense.
This game has not been kind to Memphis past two years, but I believe this is their time to shine, and then they will finally be crowned the AAC Champions.
Score Prediction: Memphis 38-28 Cincinnati
Jacob Rice
Given that Cincinnati doesn’t have much more to learn about the Tigers and how they played, I think the Bearcats get too few confident about this weekend.
The only way I see the Tigers losing is if Desmond Ridder shows up and outperforms as a dual-threat quarterback.
If Memphis does not have stellar offensive performances from at least two players, I think it will be bad enough for the Tigers to lose their third straight AAC Championship. The Bearcats will be able to shut down anything Memphis can do unless multiple players overwhelm the Cincinnati defense.
Other than that, Memphis has so much help to win this whole thing and head to the Cotton Bowl. Homefield advantage, a large crowd, potential New Year’s Six bowl game and coming up short in the championship game before should push this team to win this game. Memphis needs to have a typical game as they have had in previous fashion. Meaning, putting up flashy big gain plays and having multiple offensive touchdowns.
Score Prediction: Memphis 41-30 Cincinnati
Zach Thompson
The stage has been set. For the first time ever, Memphis will host the AAC championship game this Saturday when they take on Cincinnati for the second consecutive week. For the Tigers, who have lost on this stage two straight times on the road, a win this weekend at home would feel like the ultimate redemption.
A week ago, the Bearcats were without starting quarterback Desmond Ridder. In his place, backup Ben Bryant put up solid numbers through the air but struggled with turning the ball over. If Ridder is unable to go once again, Bryant’s ability to limit his mistakes may be the key to the game for Luke Fickell’s team.
It is all right in front of Memphis. All they must do to earn a berth in the biggest bowl game in school history is win at home against a team they just beat. But Cincinnati is as dangerous a team as they’ve faced all year. It will not be easy, but in the end, I think Mike Norvell’s offense simply has too many weapons for the Bearcats to keep pace.
Score prediction: Memphis 45-38 Cincinnati
