The American Athletic Conference will see a couple of key changes to its conference\u2019s format, and college football will be far better off with them.<\/p>\n
There will be no three-way ties in the AAC anymore, as the conference now has two divisions \u2013 the East and West \u2013 where each division\u2019s top team will go head-to-head to declare a clear-cut conference champion. The AAC also has to be thankful for Navy\u2019s inclusion in the conference to finally get an even number of teams for both divisions and be a part of the \u201cGroup of Five\u201d.<\/p>\n
Who will emerge at the top of this newly-christened format? Read on for our predictions on each team\u2019s chances of winning the AAC crown. After this, go on and see what\u2019s about to happen over at the ACC<\/a>\u00a0in the 2015 NCAA College Football season.<\/p>\n[sc:NCAAFArticles ]\n 2014 Record:<\/strong> 8-5 (5-3)<\/b><\/p>\n Predicted Record:\u00a0<\/strong>7-5 (5-3)<\/p>\n [sc:NCAA240banner ]This season will be a transitional one for the Cougars. New head coach Tom Herman will look to pass on his winning culture from Ohio State into Houston, but he has a quarterback controversy to deal with first.<\/p>\n Both Greg Ward and Adam Schulz will be competing for the starting job at QB, yet they will have little to work with in terms of capable receivers downfield. Highly touted rookie running back Tyreik Gray will be expected to help the offense out on the ground. The Cougars also still have a solid defense, but they might just not have enough firepower on offense to truly compete this season.<\/p>\n 2014 Record: <\/strong>10-3 (7-1)<\/p>\n Predicted Record:\u00a0<\/strong>8-4 (6-2)<\/p>\n 2014 was a banner year for Memphis. The Tigers won their last seven contests to close out the regular season en route to their first bowl game since 2008 in Miami, which they also won. Quarterback Paxton Lynch is set to return, and so will most of his offensive weapons.<\/p>\n Lynch could very well put up over 3,000 yards passing yet again, but the Tigers’ defense had one too many loses from their 2014 roster. The lack of a reliable defense is what hinders the team from being a lock at a repeat of becoming AAC champs, but that didn\u2019t stop them from being +200<\/a> favorites to defend their conference title.<\/p>\n 2014 Record: <\/strong>8-5 (N\/A)<\/b><\/p>\n Predicted Record:<\/strong> 9-3 (7-1)<\/p>\n The AAC may regret having to welcome the Midshipmen aboard its conference because the team is loaded with veteran talent on offense that can shake up the status quo. Keenan Reynolds, who had 29 touchdowns last season for Navy, is arguably the best quarterback in the conference now.<\/p>\n You can bet that he\u2019ll do everything in his power to go bowling and beyond in his senior year. Tough-as-nuts fullback Chris Swain and multi-faceted running back DeBrandon Sanders, meanwhile, will provide a solid one-two punch from the backfield. If you want a dark horse pick from the AAC this season, it doesn\u2019t get any better than Navy and its desire to belong as one of the NCAA\u2019s elite.<\/p>\n 2014 Record:<\/strong> 1-11 (1-7)<\/p>\n Predicted Record:<\/strong> 2-10 (2-6)<\/p>\n Another prized offensive coordinator-turned-head coach this season is Chad Morris, who will try to turn a struggling SMU team around. The former offensive guru from Clemson will find plenty to love about his quarterback Matt Davis. Davis excelled as a starter in five of the Mustangs\u2019 10 games he played in, showing flashes of brilliance on the ground and in the air. He has the school\u2019s record for most rushing yards by a quarterback with 191 yards, which he set against UConn last year.<\/p>\n But beyond Davis, there\u2019s not much else to be hyped up about in SMU. That\u2019s where Morris\u2019 coaching prowess will be put to the test, and this season will likely not be the time for the Mustangs to gallop back into the race for the ACC throne.<\/p>\n 2014 Record:<\/strong> 3-9 (2-6)<\/p>\n Predicted Record: <\/strong>2-10 (1-7)<\/p>\n A young Green Wave team from 2014 showed signs of promise even as the team trotted out first-year receivers and an unproven freshman quarterback in Tanner Lee. Now a sophomore, Lee\u2019s development and chemistry with the rest of his weapons will be put to the ultimate test.<\/p>\n And if Tulane\u2019s QB doesn\u2019t find any room to operate thanks to the team\u2019s shady offensive line, hopefully the defense \u2013 which returns with seven starters from last season \u2013 will bail them out of tight situations. The Green Wave could shock the AAC with youth and unpredictability on their side, but they still look like a year or two away from becoming serious contenders.<\/p>\n 2014 Record:<\/strong> 2-10 (2-6)<\/b><\/p>\n Predicted Record:\u00a0<\/strong>1-11 (1-7)<\/p>\n Tulsa is still mired in mediocrity, as they only managed to bag two wins last season. One of those wins even needed two overtimes to beat lowly SMU. Enter Philip Montgomery, Baylor\u2019s former offensive coordinator. As the Golden Hurricane\u2019s new head coach, Montgomery will relish the opportunity to turn freshman and former Baylor signee Chad President as the team\u2019s starter at quarterback.<\/p>\n President will have support in the running game thanks to Zack Langer, who had the second-most rushing yards in the AAC last season. However, Tulsa\u2019s defense is still a mess. Unless Montgomery fixes his team\u2019s D, expect the Golden Hurricane to remain around the cellar of the conference\u2019s standings.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n 2014 Record:<\/strong> 9-4 (7-1)<\/b><\/p>\n Predicted Record:\u00a0<\/strong>10-2 (7-1)<\/p>\n If there\u2019s a team that you want to consider as the consensus favorite to win the AAC this season, look no further than Cincinnati, which is tied with Memphis as +200<\/a> favorites to become conference champs. The Bearcats, under head coach Tommy Tuberville, will have the luxury of 14 returning starters from last year.<\/p>\n Sophomore quarterback on-the-rise Gunner Kiel is the most notable one of them all, as he will lead a potent offense along with seven other veterans on his side of the ball. Kiel was the first quarterback to throw for six touchdown passes in his first game in the FBS. Cincinnati also still has a reasonable defense despite some key subtractions to the starting lineup.<\/p>\n 2014 Record:<\/strong> 2-10 (1-7)<\/b><\/p>\n Predicted Record:\u00a0<\/strong>1-11 (1-7)<\/p>\n Not much progress was made by the Huskies last year in their attempt to put an end to their futility. A four-game skid to cap off their 2014 season just about says it all. Head coach Bob Diaco will have a new quarterback this season in NC State transferee Tim Boyle, but it still looks like UConn will rely on the tandem of Arkeel Newsome and Ron Johnson to win games on the ground.<\/p>\n The Huskies have a rather competent defense too, especially in the secondary, but they\u2019re still far from going toe-to-toe with the likes of Memphis and UCF in the conference.<\/p>\n 2014 Record: <\/strong>8-5 (5-3)<\/p>\n Predicted Record:\u00a0<\/strong>6-6 (4-4)<\/p>\n Without quarterback Shane Carden and wide receiver Justin Hardy on the 2015 roster, the Pirates could be in for a long season. But that could change if strong-armed Kurt Benkert can prove that he\u2019s a viable replacement for Carden.<\/p>\n If East Carolina\u2019s new playmaker under center can\u2019t get the job done, at least the team will still have a formidable run defense to lean on. The Pirates may not be a true contender for the conference title this year, but they\u2019ll still likely finish in upper tier of the AAC standings.<\/p>\n 2014 Record:<\/strong> 4-8 (3-5)<\/p>\n Predicted Record:\u00a0<\/strong>6-6 (5-3)<\/p>\n There is growing unrest in South Florida after head coach Willie Taggart failed to turn the Bulls around. A record of 6-18 in Taggart\u2019s first two seasons has got to put him on the hottest seat of the conference\u2019s coaching carousel. Still, South Florida will benefit from having last year\u2019s AAC Rookie of the Year in Marlon Mack, who had 1,041 yards and nine touchdowns for the team.<\/p>\n However, Taggart has to name who he thinks would be most suited to start at quarterback. Will it be Mike White or Quinton Flowers? Beyond the QB position and an iffy O-line, the Bulls\u2019 defense and their receivers are capable enough to make a decent run at the AAC title and save Taggart\u2019s behind in the process.<\/p>\n 2014 Record:<\/strong> 6-6 (4-4)<\/p>\n Predicted Record:<\/strong> 4-8 (3-5)<\/p>\n The Owls should be better than what last year’s 6-6 record would suggest. They have one of the country\u2019s most impressive defenses, and all 11 of their defensive starters from 2014 are returning, including stud linebacker and early AAC Defensive Player of the Year favorite Tyler Matakevich.<\/p>\n And yet, as with almost all success stories in football, it all boils down to who\u2019s at quarterback, and P.J. Walker lacks consistency and a viable supporting cast to be anywhere near a threat in the passing game. Running back Zaire Williams is also due for a comeback effort from a season-ending injury, but we still don\u2019t see enough top-tier talent from Temple to justify the school\u2019s return to prominence.<\/p>\n 2014 Record:<\/strong> 9-4 (7-1)<\/p>\n Predicted Record:\u00a0<\/strong>7-5 (5-3)<\/p>\n Losing in the St. Petersburg Bowl against NC State certainly hurt, but don\u2019t sleep on the Knights just yet. In his third year with the team, UCF quarterback Justin Holman is due for a breakout season. He\u2019ll have a fresh pair of coveted first-year wideouts in Tre-Quan Smith and Tristan Payton, who are both early candidates to win Rookie of the Year honors.<\/p>\n Running back William Stanback is also looking to bounce back with a vengeance after missing seven games last year due to an injury, so you know the Knights are still loaded with talent. Count UCF in as one of the ACC\u2019s top contenders for the division crown.<\/p>\n Navy wins the West division, while Cincinnati takes the East. The Midshipmen, slight +800<\/a> underdogs to win the AAC, emerge triumphant over the Bearcats to cap off Navy\u2019s stellar maiden voyage in conference play.<\/p>\n Are you also jumping aboard Navy\u2019s ship that\u2019s setting sail for the AAC title? Create a betting account now<\/a> to bet for or against the Midshipmen and all of your favorite teams from the NCAA.<\/p>\n[sc:NCAA490banner ]\n2015 AAC Season Wins Preview<\/b><\/h2>\n
Houston Cougars<\/b><\/h3>\n
Memphis Tigers<\/b><\/h3>\n
Navy Midshipmen<\/b><\/h3>\n
SMU Mustangs<\/b><\/h3>\n
Tulane Green Wave<\/b><\/h3>\n
Tulsa Golden Hurricane<\/b><\/h3>\n
Cincinnati Bearcats<\/b><\/h3>\n
Connecticut Huskies<\/b><\/h3>\n
East Carolina Pirates<\/b><\/h3>\n
South Florida Bulls<\/b><\/h3>\n
Temple Owls<\/b><\/h3>\n
UCF Knights<\/b><\/h3>\n
Writer\u2019s Prediction<\/b><\/h3>\n
![<\/a><\/p>\n2014 Record:<\/strong> 9-4 (7-1)<\/b><\/p>\nPredicted Record:\u00a0<\/strong>10-2 (7-1)<\/p>\nIf there\u2019s a team that you want to consider as the consensus favorite to win the AAC this season, look no further than Cincinnati, which is tied with Memphis as +200<\/a> favorites to become conference champs. The Bearcats, under head coach Tommy Tuberville, will have the luxury of 14 returning starters from last year.<\/p>\nSophomore quarterback on-the-rise Gunner Kiel is the most notable one of them all, as he will lead a potent offense along with seven other veterans on his side of the ball. Kiel was the first quarterback to throw for six touchdown passes in his first game in the FBS. Cincinnati also still has a reasonable defense despite some key subtractions to the starting lineup.<\/p>\nConnecticut Huskies<\/b><\/h3>\n2014 Record:<\/strong> 2-10 (1-7)<\/b><\/p>\nPredicted Record:\u00a0<\/strong>1-11 (1-7)<\/p>\nNot much progress was made by the Huskies last year in their attempt to put an end to their futility. A four-game skid to cap off their 2014 season just about says it all. Head coach Bob Diaco will have a new quarterback this season in NC State transferee Tim Boyle, but it still looks like UConn will rely on the tandem of Arkeel Newsome and Ron Johnson to win games on the ground.<\/p>\nThe Huskies have a rather competent defense too, especially in the secondary, but they\u2019re still far from going toe-to-toe with the likes of Memphis and UCF in the conference.<\/p>\nEast Carolina Pirates<\/b><\/h3>\n2014 Record: <\/strong>8-5 (5-3)<\/p>\nPredicted Record:\u00a0<\/strong>6-6 (4-4)<\/p>\nWithout quarterback Shane Carden and wide receiver Justin Hardy on the 2015 roster, the Pirates could be in for a long season. But that could change if strong-armed Kurt Benkert can prove that he\u2019s a viable replacement for Carden.<\/p>\nIf East Carolina\u2019s new playmaker under center can\u2019t get the job done, at least the team will still have a formidable run defense to lean on. The Pirates may not be a true contender for the conference title this year, but they\u2019ll still likely finish in upper tier of the AAC standings.<\/p>\nSouth Florida Bulls<\/b><\/h3>\n2014 Record:<\/strong> 4-8 (3-5)<\/p>\nPredicted Record:\u00a0<\/strong>6-6 (5-3)<\/p>\nThere is growing unrest in South Florida after head coach Willie Taggart failed to turn the Bulls around. A record of 6-18 in Taggart\u2019s first two seasons has got to put him on the hottest seat of the conference\u2019s coaching carousel. Still, South Florida will benefit from having last year\u2019s AAC Rookie of the Year in Marlon Mack, who had 1,041 yards and nine touchdowns for the team.<\/p>\nHowever, Taggart has to name who he thinks would be most suited to start at quarterback. Will it be Mike White or Quinton Flowers? Beyond the QB position and an iffy O-line, the Bulls\u2019 defense and their receivers are capable enough to make a decent run at the AAC title and save Taggart\u2019s behind in the process.<\/p>\nTemple Owls<\/b><\/h3>\n2014 Record:<\/strong> 6-6 (4-4)<\/p>\nPredicted Record:<\/strong> 4-8 (3-5)<\/p>\nThe Owls should be better than what last year’s 6-6 record would suggest. They have one of the country\u2019s most impressive defenses, and all 11 of their defensive starters from 2014 are returning, including stud linebacker and early AAC Defensive Player of the Year favorite Tyler Matakevich.<\/p>\nAnd yet, as with almost all success stories in football, it all boils down to who\u2019s at quarterback, and P.J. Walker lacks consistency and a viable supporting cast to be anywhere near a threat in the passing game. Running back Zaire Williams is also due for a comeback effort from a season-ending injury, but we still don\u2019t see enough top-tier talent from Temple to justify the school\u2019s return to prominence.<\/p>\nUCF Knights<\/b><\/h3>\n2014 Record:<\/strong> 9-4 (7-1)<\/p>\nPredicted Record:\u00a0<\/strong>7-5 (5-3)<\/p>\nLosing in the St. Petersburg Bowl against NC State certainly hurt, but don\u2019t sleep on the Knights just yet. In his third year with the team, UCF quarterback Justin Holman is due for a breakout season. He\u2019ll have a fresh pair of coveted first-year wideouts in Tre-Quan Smith and Tristan Payton, who are both early candidates to win Rookie of the Year honors.<\/p>\nRunning back William Stanback is also looking to bounce back with a vengeance after missing seven games last year due to an injury, so you know the Knights are still loaded with talent. Count UCF in as one of the ACC\u2019s top contenders for the division crown.<\/p>\nWriter\u2019s Prediction<\/b><\/h3>\nNavy wins the West division, while Cincinnati takes the East. The Midshipmen, slight +800<\/a> underdogs to win the AAC, emerge triumphant over the Bearcats to cap off Navy\u2019s stellar maiden voyage in conference play.<\/p>\nAre you also jumping aboard Navy\u2019s ship that\u2019s setting sail for the AAC title? Create a betting account now<\/a> to bet for or against the Midshipmen and all of your favorite teams from the NCAA.<\/p>\n[sc:NCAA490banner ]\n<\/div>\n](\"http:\/\/topbet.eu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/Cincinnati-Bearcats-Gunner-Kiel.jpg\"){kind=link}