The SMU Mustangs won the conference on their way out to the Big 12 and left the crown for a different team to don in 2024. Army takes their place in the league, joining armed forces with Navy.
But who are the favorites to win the title in the 2024 AAC Power Rankings?
2024 AAC Power Rankings
14) Temple Owls
Preseason Rank: 14 (no change)
The Owls haven’t won more than three games in a season since 2019, and it’s unlikely the streak ends in 2024. QB E.J. Warner left for conference rival Rice, All-AAC OT Victor Stoffell transferred to Cal, and the team’s top four tacklers are gone.
Temple rolled with junior Forrest Brock under center against Oklahoma, and it went about as well as you’d expect: Sooners 51, Owls 3.
It wasn’t all on Brock, as the Owls turned the ball over six times. Navy handed them their second straight loss, and if the Ls keep coming, HC Stan Drayton may not be around much longer.
13) East Carolina Pirates
Preseason Rank: 13 (no change)
East Carolina ended a drought of back-to-back winning campaigns in 2021-22, but the Pirates crashed through the atmosphere in 2023, going 2-10 — their worst record since 2004. A 42-3 win over Norfolk State should provide reason for optimism, but the offense committed six turnovers.
The turnover train seemed right ahead in Week 2, as Jake Garcia three zero TDs to four INTs. Yet, somehow, the Pirates pulled off the 20-14 victory over Old Dominion. If Garcia doesn’t rein his arm in against FBS competition, the Pirates will be in for a long season.
12) Florida Atlantic Owls
Preseason Rank: 12 (no change)
Tom Herman is a good coach, but the Owls underperformed in Year 1, posting a 4-8 record. Despite one of the easiest schedules in the country this season, it’s difficult to see FAU returning to its form under Lane Kiffin due to massive roster turnover.
Marshall transfer Cam Fancher is the starter behind center, and he isn’t on the same level as now-Florida A&M passer Daniel Richardson. He proved as much against Michigan State, completing 12 of his 25 passes for 116 yards, one TD, and two picks. Perhaps more concerning was his 25 carries for 67 yards — not because of the inefficiency, but because of the effect on his body.
He didn’t get to the tote the rock as many times in Week 2, as the Owls were down early against Army and couldn’t throw themselves out of the hole, losing 24-7. It appears another lost season is in store for FAU.
11) Charlotte 49ers
Preseason Rank: 11 (no change)
First-year head coach Biff Poggi brought in 24 transfers last season, and after the 49ers went 3-9, he added 27 more. Florida QB Max Brown and Iowa State RB Cartevious Norton are the most intriguing.
Neither has looked the part of Power Four transfers through two weeks, and with James Madison undergoing their own coaching and roster turnover this season, and North Carolina losing their QB1 in Week 1, the 49ers don’t have many excuses for starting the Year 0-2.
10) Tulsa Golden Hurricanes
Preseason Rank: 9 (-1)
The Golden Hurricane handled business against a low-level FCS school in Week 1, although it was more of a game than it should’ve been. Tulsa left the first quarter tied 14-14 with Northwestern State but ultimately routed the Demons 62-28.
After four different signal-callers took snaps for HC Kevin Wilson last season, Kirk Francis was the only QB under center, and the result was 299 passing yards, four TDs, and a 77% completion rate.
Francis was less efficient against Arkansas State and couldn’t generate points when Tulsa needed them most, leading to four straight punts to end the game.
9) UAB Blazers
Preseason Rank: 7 (-2)
Trent Dilfer was a controversial hire last season, and a 4-8 record in his inaugural campaign didn’t quell concerns. That said, the offense showed promise, with OC Alex Mortensen scheming the plays and QB Jacob Zeno delivering on the field.
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The real issue was the sieve of a defense that allowed 31+ points to all 11 of their FBS opponents. Defeating Alcorn State 41-3 was a start, but the Blazers fell to ULM this week and face Arkansas on the road in Week 3.
8) North Texas Mean Green
Preseason Rank: 10 (+2)
The Mean Green lost QB Chandler Rogers, RB Ayo Adeyi, WR Ja’Mori Maclin, and 20+ players to the transfer portal after a 5-7 debut in the AAC.
However, the roster isn’t bereft of talent and showed as much in a high-flying 52-38 win over South Alabama that included a 28-point third quarter. The defense let WR Jamal Pritchett (10-197-1) have his way with them and allowed 582 total yards, but the offense kept them ahead with a relentless attack.
Even with multiple picks, QB Chandler Morris kept his foot on the gas pedal against Stephen F. Austin in Week 2, posting 300+ yards and four TDs through the air.
7) Navy Midshipmen
Preseason Rank: 8 (+1)
A season finale loss to Army dropped Navy to 5-7 overall and out of bowl contention in Brian Newberry’s first year. They should see more success with former Mercer head coach Drew Cronic coming over to call the plays after leading the Bears to their first-ever FCS playoff appearance.
Having Eli Heidenreich and Alex Tecza certainly makes his job easier, and Newberry will ensure the defensive side of the ball keeps up its end of the bargain.
Dropping Bucknell in Week 1 was expected, and Temple didn’t cause the Midshipmen to sweat much In Week 2. However, they’ll need to fire on all cylinders when Memphis comes to town in Week 3.
6) Army Black Knights
Preseason Rank: 6 (no change)
If there’s one word to describe Jeff Monken’s Black Knights, it’s consistent. They’ve only suffered one losing season after his first two years with the program (2014-15), and they closed the 2023 campaign with four straight wins, including victories over Air Force and Navy for the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy.
The rushing attack reinstituted its supremacy against Lehigh in Week 1, taking 56 carries for 375 and six TDs. The unit came right back and completely obliterated FAU, generating 405 yards and two scores on 58 carries. With a rather soft schedule, don’t sleep on the Black Knights in the AAC this season.
5) Rice Owls
Preseason Rank: 5 (no change)
Losing JT Daniels to retirement and WR Luke McCaffrey to the draft hurts, but Rice returns practically everyone else. Yet, that wasn’t enough to overcome Sam Houston in Week 1.
Temple transfer QB E.J. Warner completed just 27 of 44 passes for 227 yards, one TD, and two INTs, handcuffing the offense’s success. But the defense didn’t fair much better, conceding 400+ yards on the day.
Even with Warner failing to impress once again, Rice ran all over Texas Southern in Week 2, going over 300 yards on just over 30 carries.
4) UTSA Roadrunners
Preseason Rank: 4 (no change)
UTSA has been one of the top Group of Five teams in recent years, but HC Jeff Traylor will have to prove he can keep his squad afloat without longtime QB Frank Harris. Although Owen McCown isn’t the Roadrunner legend, he has flashed when on the field, including in Week 1 against a Kennesaw State defense that quietly has some all-conference talent.
However, neither he nor Eddie Lee Marburger had an answer against Texas State, resulting in a blowout loss. And with Texas on tap, the Roadrunners will need to wait until Week 4 to bounce back.
3) South Florida Bulls
Preseason Rank: 3 (no change)
Former Josh Huepel assistant Alex Golesh hit the ground running in his first year at USF, leading the Bulls to their first winning season since 2018, and it wasn’t a fluke.
The Bulls came out of the gates on fire, torching Bethune-Cookman 48-3 in Week 1. They even went toe to toe with Alabama before losing steam in the fourth quarter. If USF doesn’t let the loss debilitate their progress, they will remain a favorite in the AAC.
2) Tulane Green Wave
Preseason Rank: 2 (no change)
I’m as much of a Tulane fan as the next Green Waver, but moving on from a head coach (Willie Firtz) and an elite QB (Michael Pratt) in the same offseason won’t be easy for the program. Yes, Jon Sumrall is an excellent coach, as his track record at Troy proves, but that doesn’t guarantee immediate success.
Still, a 52-0 win over SE Louisiana and a down-to-the-wire 34-27 defeat prove Tulane is here to stay in the AAC. Darian Mensah has looked poised under center, but facing Oklahoma in Week 3 will test the make-up of this team.
1) Memphis Tigers
Preseason Rank: 1 (no change)
With SMU off to the ACC and Tulane undergoing change at HC and QB, Memphis is the cream of the AAC crop. Ryan Silverfield and Co. have overhauled the offensive line and added South Carolina’s Mario Anderson to replace star RB Blake Watson.
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More importantly, QB Seth Henigan returns for his fourth year as the starter alongside his top three pass catchers from last season: Roc Taylor, Demeer Blankumsee, and Koby Drake. And of the 19 defenders who started at least one game in 2023, 12 are back.
Shutting North Alabama out 40-0 in the season opener and dusting Troy in Week 2 was just another step toward proving they’re ready to contend for more than an AAC title.
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