Due to college football realignment, the American Athletic Conference will look quite different in 2024 than in recent years. As a result, the AAC season predictions offer little hope. Who will challenge Memphis for the top spot in the league?
AAC Season Predictions for 2024
It’s never too early to preview the season ahead, and FanDuel has posted the current odds for projected regular-season wins from each AAC team. Only four of 14 teams have a win total of 7.5 or higher, with three under five.
AAC Season Predictions – Regular-Season Win Totals
- Memphis: 8.5
- USF: 7.5
- UTSA: 7.5
- Tulane: 7.5
- Army: 6.5
- East Carolina: 6.5
- FAU: 6.5
- Rice: 6.5
- UAB: 6.5
- Navy: 5.5
- North Texas: 5.5
- Tulsa: 4.5
- Charlotte: 3.5
- Temple: 3.5
Seth Henigan and Memphis are the cream of the crop entering the 2024 season, with SMU off to the ACC and Tulane undergoing a coaching staff change. Star RB Blake Watson is gone, but South Carolina’s Mario Anderson transfers in, and Henigan will have three of his top WRs from last season, Roc Taylor, Demeer Blankumsee, and Koby Drake.
Ryan Silverfield and Co. have also overhauled the offensive line, adding three projected starters from the portal.
Despite FAU and Army owning two of the easiest schedules in the country, Memphis’ primary challengers are Tulane (fresh off a conference title bid), USF, Rice, and UTSA, if Owen McCown isn’t a drastic step below four-year starter Frank Harris, which isn’t a given.
Although Willie Fritz is out, the Green Wave hired former Troy head coach Jon Sumrall. Defense is the name of the game for Sumrall, but while the offense will look quite different without Michael Pratt under center, don’t sleep on the Ty Thompson-led unit (assuming he wins the job).
KEEP READING: 2024 Strength of Schedule for All 134 FBS Teams
USF surprised in their first season with Alex Golesh at the helm, going 7-6 after an abysmal 1-11 outing the year prior. A significant reason for the Bulls’ success was QB Byrum Brown, who threw for over 3,000 yards, 26 TDs, and 11 INTs. He also rushed for 809 yards and 11 scores, dicing defenses through the air and on the ground.
As for the Owls, they are returning nearly all of their production from last season, which is no easy task with draft declarations, graduations, and the rise of the transfer portal. Is that 100% a positive?
Not exactly, as the defense was rather average in most accounts, but the foundation is there for Rice to have their best season yet in what has been a slow but steady rebuild under Mike Bloomgren.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest news and analysis, rankings, transfer portal information, top 10 returning players, the 2024 college football season schedule, and much more!