A Change From Good to Bad: AAC Preview

The American Athletic Conference was the pinnacle of the Group of 5 schools, but UCF, Cincinnati, and Houston have all left for the Big 12 requiring some replacements. Not only did they find three replacements, but they added three more to grow the conference from 11 to 14. UTSA, FAU, UAB, North Texas, Rice, and Charlotte have all moved on from Conference USA to hopefully greener pastures. UTSA alongside Tulane were two of the biggest surprises in college football last season and look to continue their success. But it will be difficult to replace the high-caliber schools that left and it may take a few years for the AAC to recover. Here's a look at the new AAC.

Tulane

Head Coach: Willie Fritz (8th Season, 43-45)

Last Year Record (Rank): 12-2 (4)

Preseason Rank: 13

Prediction: 9-3

What's Ahead: The Green Wave shocked the college football world with wins over Cincinnati, UCF, and USC to close out their season. Tulane returns quarterback Michael Pratt, but there are a lot of vacant roles on both sides of the ball. They were extremely entertaining in 2022 and hopefully, the city of New Orleans is treated to another fun Fall.

UTSA 

Head Coach: Jeff Traylor (4th Season, 30-10)

LYR: 11-3 (13)

PR: 17

Prediction: 10-2

What's Ahead: Frank Turner is back for a seventh season in San Antonio and will only cement his legacy as the best player in Roadrunners history. Harris helped lead UTSA to a CUSA Championship and almost all of the talent on the offensive side of the ball is back. The Roadrunners will provide the toughest task for Tulane if they want to repeat as AAC Champs.

SMU 

Head Coach: Rhett Lashlee (2nd Season, 7-6)

LYR: 7-6 (66)

PR: 66

Prediction: 8-4

What's Ahead: The Mustangs were explosive on offense in 2022, but the defense had more holes than Swiss cheese. Preston Stone takes over as quarterback from Tanner Mordecai (transferred to Wisconsin) while Jaylan Knighton comes over from Miami (FL) to bolster the backfield. If the defense can stop anyone, then the Mustangs could be the dark horse (pun intended) of the AAC.

ECU

Head Coach: Mike Houston (5th Season, 22-24)

LYR: 8-5 (46)

PR: 75

Prediction: 5-7

What's Ahead: After a strong finish to the 2022 season, the Pirates are headed for a fallback to the middle of the pack. Without any real experience on offense, especially in the quarterback position, ECU may find it harder to win in 2023.

UAB

Head Coach: Trent Dilfer (1st Season)

LYR: 7-6 (64)

PR: 77 

Prediction: 6-6

What's Ahead: Trent Dilfer, who may remember as the worst quarterback to win a Super Bowl, is now the head coach at UAB, with his only experience coming from coaching high school football. It's yet to be determined if he's in over his head, but he's fortunate to have Jermaine Brown Jr. in the backfield. Brown was second on the team with 900 yards rushing, but only because DeWayne McBride led the nation in rushing yards last year. Other than Brown though, UAB has the same problem as any program with a new coach, a lot of new faces in a lot of different positions. Does Ray Lewis still have eligibility?

Memphis

Head Coach: Ryan Silverfield (4th Season, 21-15)

LYR: 7-6 (70)

PR: 78

Prediction: 8-4

What's Ahead: The Tigers were a middle-of-the-road team and they might be slightly better in 2023. DeMeer Blankumsee brings the MACtion to the AAC after transferring from Toledo. This may not be the most exciting team, but they have what looks to be a soft schedule that should bring them success.

North Texas

Head Coach: Eric Morris (1st Season)

LYR: 7-7 (71)

PR: 87 

Prediction: 7-5

What's Ahead: Eric Morris inherits a favorable situation with many starters returning and a team that made it to the CUSA Championship. Chandler Rogers transfers in from Louisiana Monroe to provide some flash at the quarterback position. The Mean Green have a chance to make a big move in their new conference, but can Morris bring it all together in his first season.

Florida Atlantic 94, 5-7 (92)

Head Coach: Tom Herman (1st Season)

LYR: 5-7 (92)

PR: 94

Prediction: 6-6

What's Ahead: FAU tries the rehash at head coach with Tom Herman, after a failed stint at Texas. He falls in line with hires like Willie Taggart and Lane Kiffin. Herman hopes this can launch his career back to relevance like Kiffin, but he'll have to find a quarterback first. Daniel Richardson transfers in from CMU, but there could be as many as four horses in the race. Larry McCammon III was a 1,000-yard rusher last season, so he should be able to take some of the burden off the QB situation.

Tulsa

Head Coach: Kevin Wilson (1st Year)

LYR: 5-7 (93)

PR: 104

Prediction: 3-9

What's Ahead: Kevin Wilson takes over as the new head coach of the Golden Hurricane and good luck, because the cupboard in Tulsa was left bare.

Rice

 Head Coach: Mike Bloomgren (6th Season, 16-39)

LYR: 5-8 (100)

PR: 110

Prediction: 3-9

What's Ahead: Mike Bloomgren is looking to hold off updating his resume by bringing in the well-traveled J.T. Daniels. Daniels comes over from West Virginia, but before that, he won a National Championship at Georgia and began at USC. He's never quite been as advertised and Dallas is his final stop before he finally leaves college.

Navy

Head Coach: Brian Newberry (1st Season)

LYR: 4-8 (102)

PR: 116

Prediction: 2-10

What's Ahead: Brian Newberry takes over the head coaching reigns, but fear not, the triple-option is here to stay in Annapolis. It might take a few years before they become relevant again.

Temple

Head Coach: Stan Drayton (2nd Season, 3-9)

LYR: 3-9 (123)

PR: 123

Prediction: 4-8

What's Ahead: It was a bumpy road in Philadelphia for the Owls last season, but it seems like they've at least solved their quarterback problem. E.J. Warner, son of Kurt Warner, threw for over 3,000 yards but needs to control his gunslinger style and cut down on his 12 interceptions.

Charlotte

Head Coach: Biff Poggi (1st Season)

LYR: 3-9 (118)

PR: 127

Prediction: 3-9

What's Ahead: The 49ers found their new head coach in Biff Poggi, but now they'll have to figure out who's going to give Shadrick Byrd the football.

USF

Head Coach: Alex Golesh (1st Season)

LYR: 1-11 (130)

PR: 130 

Prediction: 3-9

What's Ahead: One thing that Alex Golesh can bank on is that USF can't be much worse than they were last year.