Dec 05, 2015 10:00 AM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

The American Athletic Conference took a huge step this season, which will result in a conference championship between two nationally ranked teams.

The Houston Cougars (19) went 12-1 in Tom Herman's first season as the team's head coach, and ranked among the top teams in the nation for average points, rushing yards, and passing yards per game. The Temple Owls (22) were tough on the run and limited opponents to less than 20 points per game.

Click here to listen to the game live via TuneIn. WatchESPN will also air the game live online. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET in Houston, Texas.

The AAC had as many as four teams nationally ranked this season, including a Memphis team that upset Ole Miss, and a Navy squad featuring a record-breaking quarterback. But while the discourse surrounding the game may touch on the conference's non-Power 5 status, the teams are focused on winning the championship and getting a New Year's Six bowl bid.

"We are all going for one goal," Houston quarterback Greg Ward Jr. said in a pregame press conference. "We told each other that we are going to give each other all that we have, and that we are going to play for our brothers."

(Team stats: ESPN, Rankings: College Football Playoff)

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