Week 11 in the American Athletic Conference (AAC) demonstrated like no other the truth of the immortal platitude that “it ain’t over ‘till it’s over”. A month ago it seemed like we knew how the West would be won — how the tables have turned.

In a lot of ways, it seems like déjà vu all over again this season compared to 2017 with the Houston Cougars. Not only did they beat the USF Bulls to knock them down a peg in the East division once again in 2018, Houston is now in position to blow a significant lead in their own division. Last year, it was the Memphis Tigers who snuck into the AAC Championship berth, but now after back-to-back losses by the Cougars against the Mustangs of SMU and the Temple Owls, there are now three teams at 4-2 in conference play in the West.

The Mustangs control their own destiny. Should they win out against Memphis and the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes, holding the tie-break on Houston and Tulane whom they beat earlier on the year put them in the American Athletic Conference Championship. Should Houston or Tulane win out, they would need SMU to lose to take the West as they play each other next week. Must interesting of all is the Tigers who at 3-3 in the conference still have hope.

If Memphis wins out, they will have beaten both SMU and Houston to do so. This leaves three teams at 3-3 with the tie-breaker left in favor of the Tigers. But for this unlikely scenario to come to fruition, both Houston and Navy will need to beat Tulane since the Green Wave currently holds the tie-break over Memphis.

Out East, ESPN’s College Gameday will be headed to Orlando, Florida to feature the contest between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the UCF Knights. If the CFP’s 12th ranked team wins the primetime match, the East is decided with the Knights as back-to-back winners. Should the Bearcats prevail, they would need to beat the ECU Pirates, or for UCF to lose to the USF Bulls to close out the conference championship berth.

With some many important wins and losses in Week 11, let’s check out some of the key players.

Offensive Player of the Year

Rushing for 210 yards and an American Athletic Conference-record six touchdowns to lead Temple to a 59-49 win, @Temple_FB‘s Ryquell Armstead is the #AmericanFB Offensive Player of the Week. 📝: https://t.co/D8i0LhhqvA pic.twitter.com/9YMRm6SiZx — American Football (@American_FB) November 12, 2018

Temple running back Ryquell Armstead gets the nod this week for his role in the 59-49 victory over Houston. Armstead posted an epic six touchdowns and 210 yards.

Defensive Player of the Year

With a team-high 10 tackles to go with a sack and two pass breakups to help the Green Wave to a 24-18 win against ECU, @GreenWaveFB‘s Roderic Teamer Jr. is the #AmericanFB Defensive Player of the Week. 📝: https://t.co/D8i0Lhz1Ua pic.twitter.com/2ZpzMd43MY — American Football (@American_FB) November 12, 2018

This honor goes to Tulane safety Roderic Teamer Jr. In the win over ECU. Teamer recorded a team-high 10 tackles with a sack and two passes defended.

Special Teams Player of the Year

With 109 yards on four punt returns, including a 72-yard return for a touchdown, in Memphis’ 47-21 win against Tulsa, @MemphisFB‘s Pop Williams is the #AmericanFB Special Teams Player of the Week. 📝: https://t.co/D8i0Lhz1Ua pic.twitter.com/0WLVKb9ccx — American Football (@American_FB) November 12, 2018

A 72-yard punt return to the house helps Memphis wide receiver Pop Williams to secure the award. He turned in 109 yards on four punt returns as the Tigers beat Tulsa, 47-21

Kyle Nash, known as The Student of the Game, covers UCF Football for SportsMediaPass.com and is a special contributor for Break the Fourth. He’s a also a writer for the DolphinsWire of USA Today and co-host of the DinnerTime and Default Assault podcasts.