Memphis Tigers emerging from the tunnel (Wes Hale/The Daily Memphian)
This is the 2025 AAC preseason preview and rankings prediction. This is not conference standings. This ranking includes nonconference games, which disadvantages some teams that take a lot of “buy-in” games to help the department.
14. UAB Blazers
Were 2-6 in conference games last year. This is the third year for coach (and former NFL QB) Trent Dilfer. Starting QB is transfer Jalen Kitna returns for this year after some success last year. Jalen Kitna is the son of journeyman NFL QB Jon Kitna. UAB has tough maybe unwinnable games at TN and Navy. They have home games against Memphis, South Florida and other tough opponents. This placement is my judgment of Dilfer as a coach thus far.
13. Tulsa Golden Hurricane
Is led by new (formerly interim) head coach Tre Lamb. The NIL situation was a difficulty for last year’s team, as there was a scandal regarding unfulfilled NIL commitments. Player-level estimates from On3 (a leading NIL tracking site) have pertinent information. They showed for 2025 high school commits $13,000 per player NIL estimate across 20 recruits. Kirk Francis was named the starting QB just this month. Hitting every one of the top four contenders in the AAC; Memphis, Tulane, Army, Navy, plus Oklahoma State and Arizona State… it’s going to be bad.
12. Rice Owls
Were 3-5 in conference games last year.New year, it’s a new head coach Scott Abell. He plans to run an option-based offense. The defense last year was middle-of-the-road, finishing outside top 60 in all categories. Of all the 5 new head coaches Abell has the least championship experience. Better than Tulsa and UAB, but barely.
11. Florida Atlantic
Is in the middle tier of AAC schools, 24/7 says 8th of the 14 teams in recruiting. They have new head coach Zach Kittley, taking over from Tom Herman. He was fired after last year’s 3-9 season. Kittley will bring in the Air Raid offense, his starting QB will be Cam Fancher.
10. Temple Owls
Were 2-6 in conference play last year. Temple was active in the recruiting portal, with 22 transfers putting them ranking in the top 80. But Temple does not have a football tradition, and it won’t start this year. Their new head coach is K.C. Keeler. One quick starting QB is E.J. Warner (son of hall-of-famer Kurt Warner). He’s played to varying effectiveness in several different AAC offenses.
9. Charlotte 49ers
Finished 4-4 in conference play last year. Last year’s loss of coach Biff Poggi, who returned to the University of Michigan, hurts them. NIL “bleed” is a real thing for non-contending teams in non-Power leagues. The 49ers hired Tim Albin as the new coach. They were active in the recruiting portal, (80th per 24/7) Look for them to drop to ninth.
8. East Carolina Pirates
Finished 5-3 in conference last year. This year’s more of the same, compete but porous defense. QB Kat Hoover threw in 2000 yards last year. I weak conference floats them to about 8th. East Carolina should have as rough a schedule as anyone except maybe Tulane.
7. North Texas Mean Green
Were 3-5 in conference last year. However, they were 512 yards per game on offense last year. This year, they bring in QB Randy McCown (read full story here) to lead the offense. Coach Sumrall hopes to continue their improvement, but the top tier got better this year in the AAC.
6. Navy
Returns QB Blake Horvath Has a passing and running threat. The triple option is a thing of difficulty to match for. Coach Sumrall has great success lately. But no NIL and other factors lifting Army and Memphis this year drop Navy down.
5. South Florida Bulls
Finished 4-4 last year in conference play. Coach Alex Golesh has QB Byrum Brown return this year. One of the few AAC teams with a sign of good add, in WR Chas Nibroed from TN. It should surprise many and finish fifth in the conference rankings. They should be one of the 2-3 best teams, but they play Boise St., Miami, and Florida out of conference. To make it worse their top conference opponents, North Texas, Navy, and Memphis all play the Bulls at home.
4. UTSA Roadrunners
Were 4-4 in conference games last year. They are rather low in NIL funds in AAC terms. Coach Traylor joked about it and it became a social media dustup after beating Memphis last year. This year, they bring in QB Randy McCown (read full story here) to lead the offense. They miss Memphis in the schedule this year and get Army and Tulane at home.
3. Army Black Knights
Want AAC last year let the list to me. coach Jeff Monken was a miracle worker last year. The improvement of South Florida and Memphis doom their prospect. Should be a conference first or second, but third in my ratings. The schedule doesn’t include South Florida or Memphis. Thus, my third best team though probably finish second in conference.
2. Tulane Green Wave
Were in 2024 a runner up in the American. They lost key players in NIL battles. J. Thompson should be QB, but their depth will be their downfall, falling to fourth in record. Last year’s 24th ranked nationally defense returns several starters, and Coach Sumrall has a lot to replace. Last year’s team was leading the AAC in run defense (112.7 yards per game) but there will be a drop-off.
1. Memphis Tigers
Finished 11-2 last year. This is the year they bring the championship home. Starting QB Brandon Lewis transfer from UNLV, brings experience. QB Sutton returning from injury and is undersized. Tigers boast a 49 NIL rating (link top 50 in the 65) and that depth was tested last year. and return QB Blake H. Has a passing and running Tweet. The triple option is a thing of ease to match for. But no NIL and other factors
I hope this serves as a good guide to a fairly balanced AAC. If you want to read my other G5 articles look under J-Allen at The Forkball or just under G5 articles. My email [email protected]
