Drew
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We are 138 days until we kick off against Maine which obviously means its time to break down the entire conference and the pecking order for 2016. Feel free to tell me why I'm wrong:
Favorites:
West- Houston:
With Greg Ward Jr returning and Chance Allen coming back, UH should be extremely good again this year. UH also had the best class in the AAC, pulling in a 5* DT who can be expected to contribute right away and multiple other playmakers on both sides of the ball. Host OU in week 1 at NRG Stadium in Houston- if they win that they are serious contenders for the 2017 CFP Title. UH loses experience on the O-Line which could cost them.
East- Temple:
PJ Walker is back (again?!) and needs to take the next step as a passer to get to the same level as Ward. Rule has done a great job of finding playmakers on O and D through development within their program. As long as Rhule is there I expect the Owls to be winning 8+ games a year. As of now, Temple is a slim favorite to repeat as the champion of the AAC East
Contenders:
USF: With the way Willie Taggert's club finished last year, one would have to assume USF is ready to take another step towards the top of the conference. USF hosts Florida State in a big non-conference game at Raymond James Stadium, if they win that it will go a long way towards their credibility to win the east and potentially crash the NY6
UConn: I think it is fair to put us in this category considering the growth we've seen the past 2 seasons. For us it is really going to come down to how big of a jump the offense makes under Shirreffs. The D is the best in the conference here but for UConn to have any shot at an East division title we are going to need to score 28 ppg in this conference minimum.
Tulsa: Yeah, Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane won 6 games last year and can put up points with anyone. Senior QB Dane Evans looks to lead the offense to even better numbers this year in Phil Montgomery's second season. This is one team that I'm glad UConn doesn't have to play, as I feel their air attack is going to be one of the better passing games in the entire country. They lose Keyaris Garrett which hurts, but in this system it is more of a "who's next" than anything else. Tulsa will be at least an 8 win team this year and has a big opportunity @ Ohio State early in the season.
Question Marks:
Cincinnati: Tuberville has underperformed here almost every season it feels like. With Gunner Kiel back, you have to assume Cincinnati will have the offensive firepower they are known for. The real question is whether they will be able to stop anyone when it matters.
ECU: Breaking in a new coach (still not sure why they got rid of Ruffin) so it is hard to know what to expect. This is a team that on paper probably recruits as well as if not better than most of the other teams in the conference (sans UH). Talent here isn't an issue- the Pirates just need to find consistent QB play.
Memphis: Fuente didn't leave the cupboard bare, but it remains to be seen what the Tigers will do without Paxton Lynch behind center. There are some playmakers here and the Tigers have the schedule to earn national respectability for the second year in a row. Mike Norvell is a very interesting hire here but he is young and unproven as a head coach. Will more than likely remain at least a bowl team.
Navy: This team almost feels destined to just continuously crank out 6+ win teams and remain competitive. Their offense will keep them in most games as it is difficult to prepare for them on a week's notice. Niumatalolo is a hell of a coach and will have this team prepared every week. Discipline discipline discipline for these guys.
A year out from respectability:
Tulane: This team actually has a couple of playmakers, and Willie Fritz might've been the best hire made in the G5 last year, but this season should be tough while they adapt from a more traditional offense to Fritz's shotgun run heavy/option style. Fritz is a winner and will get the most out of this group while laying the foundation for future seasons. 3-4 wins here.
SMU: This was an absolute dumpster fire until last year, when the team at least was able to be competitive for longer stretches of games under Chad Morris. Now in his second year, the Mustangs will look to build on last year and hope for better results. I see the Mustangs as a worse version of Tulsa- they will put up points but will they be able to stop anyone? Could see anywhere from 2-5 wins for this ball club.
And then there was one:
UCF: oh, UCF. Our ConFLiCT buddies. These guys really bottomed out last year and it was hard to watch. You never want to see anyone go 0-12. I actually think Scott Frost will do well here but it will most definitely take time. 2 wins would be a great season here while they try to bounce back and build any sort of positive momentum to sell to recruits.
Well what do you think? Who is too high and who is too low? It should be another great year for the American and I believe the conference winner will most likely be back in the NY6 again (at minimum). The conference continues to get stronger and the national reach/exposure that the American has is huge. Need to win the big game opportunities and it has been proven last year if the conference does that that the league will get respect.
Favorites:
West- Houston:
With Greg Ward Jr returning and Chance Allen coming back, UH should be extremely good again this year. UH also had the best class in the AAC, pulling in a 5* DT who can be expected to contribute right away and multiple other playmakers on both sides of the ball. Host OU in week 1 at NRG Stadium in Houston- if they win that they are serious contenders for the 2017 CFP Title. UH loses experience on the O-Line which could cost them.
East- Temple:
PJ Walker is back (again?!) and needs to take the next step as a passer to get to the same level as Ward. Rule has done a great job of finding playmakers on O and D through development within their program. As long as Rhule is there I expect the Owls to be winning 8+ games a year. As of now, Temple is a slim favorite to repeat as the champion of the AAC East
Contenders:
USF: With the way Willie Taggert's club finished last year, one would have to assume USF is ready to take another step towards the top of the conference. USF hosts Florida State in a big non-conference game at Raymond James Stadium, if they win that it will go a long way towards their credibility to win the east and potentially crash the NY6
UConn: I think it is fair to put us in this category considering the growth we've seen the past 2 seasons. For us it is really going to come down to how big of a jump the offense makes under Shirreffs. The D is the best in the conference here but for UConn to have any shot at an East division title we are going to need to score 28 ppg in this conference minimum.
Tulsa: Yeah, Tulsa. The Golden Hurricane won 6 games last year and can put up points with anyone. Senior QB Dane Evans looks to lead the offense to even better numbers this year in Phil Montgomery's second season. This is one team that I'm glad UConn doesn't have to play, as I feel their air attack is going to be one of the better passing games in the entire country. They lose Keyaris Garrett which hurts, but in this system it is more of a "who's next" than anything else. Tulsa will be at least an 8 win team this year and has a big opportunity @ Ohio State early in the season.
Question Marks:
Cincinnati: Tuberville has underperformed here almost every season it feels like. With Gunner Kiel back, you have to assume Cincinnati will have the offensive firepower they are known for. The real question is whether they will be able to stop anyone when it matters.
ECU: Breaking in a new coach (still not sure why they got rid of Ruffin) so it is hard to know what to expect. This is a team that on paper probably recruits as well as if not better than most of the other teams in the conference (sans UH). Talent here isn't an issue- the Pirates just need to find consistent QB play.
Memphis: Fuente didn't leave the cupboard bare, but it remains to be seen what the Tigers will do without Paxton Lynch behind center. There are some playmakers here and the Tigers have the schedule to earn national respectability for the second year in a row. Mike Norvell is a very interesting hire here but he is young and unproven as a head coach. Will more than likely remain at least a bowl team.
Navy: This team almost feels destined to just continuously crank out 6+ win teams and remain competitive. Their offense will keep them in most games as it is difficult to prepare for them on a week's notice. Niumatalolo is a hell of a coach and will have this team prepared every week. Discipline discipline discipline for these guys.
A year out from respectability:
Tulane: This team actually has a couple of playmakers, and Willie Fritz might've been the best hire made in the G5 last year, but this season should be tough while they adapt from a more traditional offense to Fritz's shotgun run heavy/option style. Fritz is a winner and will get the most out of this group while laying the foundation for future seasons. 3-4 wins here.
SMU: This was an absolute dumpster fire until last year, when the team at least was able to be competitive for longer stretches of games under Chad Morris. Now in his second year, the Mustangs will look to build on last year and hope for better results. I see the Mustangs as a worse version of Tulsa- they will put up points but will they be able to stop anyone? Could see anywhere from 2-5 wins for this ball club.
And then there was one:
UCF: oh, UCF. Our ConFLiCT buddies. These guys really bottomed out last year and it was hard to watch. You never want to see anyone go 0-12. I actually think Scott Frost will do well here but it will most definitely take time. 2 wins would be a great season here while they try to bounce back and build any sort of positive momentum to sell to recruits.
Well what do you think? Who is too high and who is too low? It should be another great year for the American and I believe the conference winner will most likely be back in the NY6 again (at minimum). The conference continues to get stronger and the national reach/exposure that the American has is huge. Need to win the big game opportunities and it has been proven last year if the conference does that that the league will get respect.
