Winning quickly changes perceptions.

Coming off an 0-12 season, the first goal was simple: Just win a game. UCF did that with ease in the season opener, beating South Carolina State 38-0.

Two weeks later in a home game against Maryland, though a loss, the Knights showed a lot of promise in taking the Terrapins down to the wire before falling in double overtime.

After that, UCF dominated at FIU, a game they lost last year, and then shocked East Carolina in Greenville for their first American Athletic Conference win.

Though Scott Frost has never wavered in his "one-game-at-a-time" mantra, the unspoken goals were always there. Show improvement, win a few games and maybe be in the mix to reach a bowl game.

That hasn't changed, but can UCF now begin to think a little bigger?

Such as, make a run at the AAC East Division?

USF, the preseason division favorite, sits atop the East at 2-0 and awaits to see who may emerge as a challenger. UCF is the only other dvision team without a conference loss, but the Knights have only played one game. Temple is 1-1 and their loss is against a West Division team, so they're still very much in it. UConn (1-2) and East Carolina (0-2) have dug a hole with a pair of losses, while Cincinnati appears to be completely out of the race with an 0-3 mark.

If UCF can get on a roll, beginning with a win against Temple on Saturday and then getting another on the road at UConn next week, who knows, maybe that season-ending game in Tampa might mean more than just a "War on I-4" trophy.

Here's a look at every game involving the American. Picks made are head-to-head and not factoring in the spread.

Memphis (4-1, 1-0) at Tulane (3-2, 0-1)

8 p.m., ESPNU

The Buzz: Regional southern rivalry that will be played for the 33rd time. Memphis has won nine straight in the series. The Tigers are 4-1 in the first season under Mike Norvell, coming from behind to beat Temple last week 34-27. Navy may think they have the edge in the West Division after beating Houston, but Memphis will want to say something about that. If they can take care of business at Tulane, that would set up a huge game next week in Annapolis. Tulane's scheduled game at UCF last Friday was postponed due to Hurricane Matthew, so the two will make it up on Nov. 5. The Green Wave are second in the AAC in total defense, limiting opponents to 309 ypg.

The Line: Memphis by 10.5

The Pick: Memphis

UConn (3-3, 1-2) at USF (5-1, 2-0)

7 p.m., CBS Sports Network

The Buzz: USF is on the cusp of the top 25, receiving votes in both polls are rushing out to a 5-1 start. The Bulls collected their second conference win last week with a 38-22 victory against East Carolina. Mobile QB Quinton Flowers and RB Marlon Mack lead the overall rushing attack as USF ranks 12th nationally in rushing with 260.5 ypg. They're eighth nationally in scoring offense with 44.5 ppg. UConn dealt a 20-9 loss to Cincinnati last week and dominated the Bearcats defensively, holding them to just two rushing yards.

The Line: USF by 20

The Pick: USF

Tulsa (4-1, 1-0) at No. 13 Houston (5-1, 2-1)

7 p.m. ESPN2

The Buzz: Did you know? Tulsa-Houston is the longest rivalry among current AAC teams, having played 40 times (SMU didn't begin playing Houston until the Cougars joined the Southwest Conference in 1976). UH will have to recover from last week's shocking 46-40 loss at Navy, sending their College Football Playoff and maybe even their AAC Championship dreams down the toilet. As it stands, Houston needs Navy to lose two more games and will have to win out in order to win the West Division. It didn't help matters that three of Houston's defensive starters missed the game due to suspensions for off-the-field behavior. Tulsa isn't to be overlooked - the Golden Hurricane are 4-1 with a running back, D'Angelo Brewer, who leads the AAC in rushing (143.2 ypg) and a solid senior quarterback in Dane Evans.

The Line: Houston by 21

The Pick: Houston

Temple (3-3, 1-1) at UCF (3-2, 1-0)

7:30 p.m., ESPNU

The Buzz: UCF fans have probably expunged most of 2015 from their memory banks, but the Knights were fairly competitive at Temple last November. UCF didn't have much offense last season and only had 137 yards of total offense in the game, but an 81-yard pick-six from Shaquill Griffin and three field goals from Matt Wright had the Knights on top 16-14 entering the fourth quarter. That didn't last as Temple RB Jahad Thomas ran for two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Final score: 30-16 Temple.

Jahad Thomas is back and so is QB Phillip Walker. Temple sort of self-destructed in a 34-27 loss at Memphis last week, giving up touchdowns to Memphis' defense and special teams. The Owls outgained Memphis 531-323 and had a 27-15 advantage in first downs, but it was all for naught. Walker has more interceptions (nine) than touchdown passes (eight).

Two weeks ago, UCF beat ECU on the road 47-29. The offense was mostly sluggish early with Justin Holman taking the start with McKenzie Milton out with an injury. The bigger story of the game was timely defensive play with UCF forcing multiple turnovers, a safety and a Brendon Hayes pick-six to go along with great special teams (an Adrian Killins kick return for touchdown and a Caleb Houston punt which set up the safety).

Who will start at QB for UCF? Scott Frost has been mum whether Milton, who has been bothered by a foot issue, will be ready to go.

The Line: UCF by 3.5

The Pick: UCF

Open Week: Cincinnati, East Carolina, Navy, SMU.