College Football

American Athletic Conference: Post-spring 2017 power rankings

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 9:36 p.m. ET

Fansided, Zach Bigalke/FanSided via Saturday Blitz

The American Athletic Conference fancies itself to be a Power Six conference. Which American team has the best shot at reaching a New Year's Six bowl?

Since being relegated to the Group of Five from its former position as a BCS conference, the American Athletic Conference has aimed to regain top-tier status. The conference recently started its "Power Six" campaign to further the discourse in this direction. Over spring practices, this narrative gained steam, especially once the American saw more players drafted than the Big 12 in the 2017 NFL Draft.

But the American still has its work cut out for it if it hopes to legitimize its Power Six claims. In the first three years of the College Football Playoff system, the American champion has earned the Group of Five's automatic bid to a New Year's Six game just once. What has the AAC done to separate itself from the Mountain West, the MAC, and the other Group of Five leagues?

One way or another, this season will be decisive among those schools outside the Power Five. Either a team from the American will return to a major bowl game, bolstering the Power Six claim, or the league will once again be shut out. After spring practices have concluded, let's rank the AAC teams to see which has the best chance of reaching the Cotton, Peach, or Fiesta Bowl in 2017-2018.

Nov 26, 2016; East Hartford, CT, USA; Connecticut Huskies running back Arkeel Newsome (22) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Tulane Green Wave in the second half at Rentschler Field. Tulane defeated UConn 38-13. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Connecticut Huskies

East, Last season: 3-9 (1-7)

Connecticut is certainly beginning to adjust to Randy Edsall in the coach's second tenure at the school. Last in Storrs when UConn was still playing in the Big East, Edsall won two conference titles and guided the Huskies to the 2011 Fiesta Bowl. He did not get to coach in that game, however, and has not come close to a New Year's Six game since he left Connecticut.

Now he returns, hoping to generate similar success now that the team plays in the American. The Huskies are probably a few years off, and until then interest will continue to skew toward basketball. One need look no further than the fact that few actually attended this year's spring game:

Here's a look at the Rent a few minutes before kickoff… pic.twitter.com/KJmVRoluab

— Daniel Connolly (@DanielVConnolly) April 21, 2017

The offense should be better than it was last season. They managed to generate a touchdown in the first quarter of the spring game, something that was in short supply for the American Conference's worst offense in 2016. Bryant Shirreffs looks to have regained his starting job, throwing for 310 yards in the game. Bowl eligibility might still be too much to ask, though, given the learning curve for the defense in a new system.

Nov 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; East Carolina Pirates quarterback Gardner Minshew (5) mishandles the hand-off to wide receiver James Summers (11) during the second quarter against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

East Carolina Pirates

East, Last season: 3-9 (1-7)

For the first time in a dozen years, East Carolina went without a bowl appearance in consecutive seasons in 2015 and 2016. The Pirates won just one game in their American schedule, dominating UConn 41-3 at home in late October. They did, however, manage to keep their streak of wins over Power Five competition alive with their win over NC State.

What does that all mean for ECU in 2017? Spring practices culminated in a 17-17 tie at the spring game. The quarterback situation should be solid in Greenville, with Gardner Minshew shaking off early rust to throw two TD passes in the game. The team also has graduate transfer Thomas Sirk on his way this summer. The ground game should also improve, with both Tennessee transfer Derrell Scott and redshirt freshman Hussein Howe showing promise in limited work.

There is nothing easy about East Carolina's schedule, including the season opener against FCS champion James Madison. The Pirates also play at West Virginia and host Virginia Tech, providing more opportunities for another statement win over a Power Five foe. But the postseason drought will likely extend to three years despite the progress that took place this spring.

Nov 26, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; SMU Mustangs quarterback Ben Hicks (8) celebrates his touchdown pass against the Navy Midshipmen during the second quarter at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ray Carlin-USA TODAY Sports

SMU Mustangs

West, Last season: 5-7 (3-5)

SMU could have quite the interesting quarterback situation once practices recommence in the fall. The Mustangs had to turn to Ben Hicks last season after Matt Davis was injured in the season opener. The sophomore has 11 starts under his belt and looked good during spring practices. Hicks hit on 11 of his 17 passes for 114 yards in the air and a touchdown.

But he will be pushed by Arkansas transfer Rafe Peavey. The former Razorback completed 16 of his 18 passes in the spring game for 173 yards and two late touchdowns, including the 58-yard winner to tight end Corey Rau. The question is whether the quarterback situation is a blessing or a curse for head coach Chad Morris, who will need every fall practice to scrutinize the players further.

SMU is improving on both sides of the ball, but they will be competing a West division that is far more stacked in the American. Look for the Mustangs to pull off an upset or two like they did against Houston last year. A bowl game is well within reach, but contending for the conference crown is probably too much to expect out of this team.

Nov 25, 2016; Tulsa, OK, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Jerron Rollins (26) hauls in a touchdown catch against Tulsa Golden Hurricane at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joey Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Cincinnati Bearcats

East, Last season: 4-8 (1-7)

Cincinnati is another American school whose spring game offered the first chance to see players operate under the system of a new head coach. Luke Fickell seems to have the defense operating at a high level. The team was finishing more tackles, and the defensive line was a disruptive force that regularly forced its way into the backfield.

Of course, when the defense looks dominant in a spring game it also means that the offense struggled. Neither of the two quarterbacks, incumbent starter Hayden Moore and sophomore backup Ross Trail, were consistent on the night. Moore looked especially shaky, completing just 13 of 32 passes for 156 yards and a pair of interceptions.

For a team whose problems stemmed largely from the offensive side of the ball, this isn't necessarily a good sign. The Bearcats should be able to bottle up opponents more effectively this year, but unless Fickell can find a quarterback on which he can rely it might be a long year for the faithful at Nippert Stadium.

Nov 26, 2016; East Hartford, CT, USA; Tulane Green Wave cornerback Parry Nickerson (17) returns his interception against the Connecticut Huskies in the second quarter at Rentschler Field. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports

Tulane Green Wave

West, Last season: 4-8 (1-7)

Entering this spring, Tulane looked like it had the personnel to potentially challenge the favorites in the American. After the spring, those expectations must be tempered quite a bit. The Green Wave have an uphill battle merely to reach the school's first bowl game since 2013. Challenging for the American, much less the other Group of Five hopefuls, is probably going to be too much to ask.

The defense should be solid once again in New Orleans, as it racked up nine sacks and two turnovers. Any chance at bowl eligibility could depend on this unit, because the offense and the kicking game both appear inconsistent at best. Tulane could be one-dimensional on offense, with a decent running game but inconsistent passing. The two kickers, meanwhile, went a combined 2-of-9 in live drills from between 35 and 41 yards.

Willie Fritz will need to make some major offensive adjustments before fall. By mid-September, back-to-back road games at Navy and Oklahoma will let us know whether Tulane is actually a contender or a pretender. The most likely situation is that the Green Wave will struggle to the end to reach bowl eligibility. There is no reason to this this current incarnation will have fans partying like it's 1998 again.

Sep 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars defensive tackle Ed Oliver (10) attempts to make a tackle on Oklahoma Sooners wide receiver Dede Westbrook (11) during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Houston Cougars

West, Last season: 9-4 (5-3)

Before last season, Houston had been among the top 10 teams in the country in intercepting opponents' passes. Last year the Cougars managed just seven picks in 13 games, as their early push for a College Football Playoff spot was thwarted by several conference defeats. In those losses, the Cougars did not manage to grab a single interception.

If the spring game is any indication, the defense should be just fine. The Cougars secondary picked off three passes in the game and did not allow either quarterback to throw a TD pass. Though new head coach Major Applewhite was without injured Kyle Postma for the spring game, the quarterback situation nevertheless looks shaky after Greg Ward Jr. graduated.

Houston's defense should be good, but the team risks becoming more one-dimensional and less consistent on offense. The Cougars have been the American team on the national radar most frequently over the past three years, but they are probably going to fall back in the conference race this season. Not even Tom Herman, now at Texas, could have done much to stem the inevitable regression for which this team is due.

Dec 17, 2016; Orlando , FL, USA; UCF Knights quarterback McKenzie Milton (10) looks to throw the ball in the second quarter against the Arkansas State Red Wolves at Citrus Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

UCF Knights

East, Last season: 6-7 (4-4)

Last year UCF rebounded from a winless season in 2015. Now entering Scott Frost's second season at the helm, the Knights look ready to take another step in the American race this fall.

The spring game saw starting quarterback McKenzie Milton throwing efficiently all throughout the first half. Turnovers were a bit of the issue for the rest of the offense, though, which could be read one of two ways.

First, many of these mistakes were the result of muffed punts and flubbed snaps. And the fact that Milton looked efficient makes it easier to write off the offensive mistakes as the result of younger players getting reps. It can also be seen as a sign that last year's solid defense could be even more formidable in 2017.

It might be too much to expect UCF to return to the Fiesta Bowl this season, and they'll have to go through their state rival to challenge for a spot in the American championship game. But Frost has a team that should show Oregon-like speed this season, and another bowl appearance is well within reach for the Knights.

Dec 23, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Zach Abey (9) runs the ball against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in the first quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Navy Midshipmen

West, Last season: 9-5 (7-1)

Navy is one of the few FBS schools around the country that doesn't hold a formal spring game. The Midshipmen did, though, decide to use all 15 available practices over the spring after scaling back the number in recent years. Ken Niumatalolo also brought Chip Kelly to town to offer guidance and counsel over the spring, and the Midshipmen will look to rebound after sitting on the cusp of contending for the Group of Five's bid to a New Year's Six bowl last season.

For the Midshipmen, the key was managing to get new players up to speed while avoiding injuries. Last year Navy lost its top two quarterbacks, Tago Smith and Will Worth, who were both looking to replace longtime starter Keenan Reynolds. Now the Middies will rely on Zach Abey, who solidified his starting position in the spring.

Linebacker should also be a position of relative strength, as a unit that was young in 2016 returns with more experience. While they might have a hard time returning to the conference championship game in a loaded West division, Navy still has a shot in the American but will have little margin for error.

Dec 27, 2016; Annapolis, MD, USA; Temple Owls quarterback Phillip Walker (8) rolls out to pass during the third quarter of the Military Bowl against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. Wake Forest Demon Deacons defeated Temple Owls 34-26. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Temple Owls

East, Last season: 10-4 (7-1)

The defending American champions entered spring practice with a new head coach after Matt Rhule's departure to take over at Baylor. The team must also replace four-year starter Phillip Walker at quarterback. After spring practices and the spring game, it appears that these losses are not going to be easily papered over in Philadephia.

Redshirt junior Frank Nutile has the inside track on taking over Walker's job as the starting QB, with a pair of touchdown passes in defeat. Instead, it was freshman Todd Centeio who hit the game winner on an 18-yard pass to Marshall Ellick with 28 seconds remaining. The Owls have a logjam of decent passers, and inclement weather made every passer look a little worse.

But no one really separated himself from the pack either this spring. Temple is almost certainly looking at offensive regression in 2017. The defense should be solid enough to return to the postseason, but it will be harder to keep pace in the East. Spring revealed too many question marks at QB to put the Owls at the head of the American pack.

Dec 20, 2016; Boca Raton, FL, USA; Memphis Tigers running back Darrell Henderson (8) runs the ball against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the first half at FAU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Memphis Tigers

West, Last season: 8-5 (5-3)

As Memphis can attest, it is possible to find fairly immediate success even after losing your coach and top quarterback. Last year Mike Norvell came in to replace Justin Fuente. Riley Ferguson took over for Paxton Lynch behind center.

The Tigers still rattled off eight wins and went bowling for a third straight year. Now the team will be looking to push a deep field in the West and contend for the American title in year two for both coach and QB.

Ferguson completed all four passes he attempted in the spring game before ceding time to younger players. David Moore looks like the favorite to back up Ferguson this season, after going 10-of-14 for 190 yards in the spring game. He threw for one touchdown, ran for another, and generally looked more poised than Brady Davis.

The defense should also be solid, with Jackson Dillon returning from a knee injury to pile up a sack and another tackle for loss on the first series of the game. The secondary notched three interceptions as well, maintaining momentum from last year in that regard. At this point, Memphis looks like one of the most dangerous teams in the West.

Dec 19, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Central Michigan Chippewas defensive back Tony Annese (18) tries to tackle Tulsa Golden Hurricane running back James Flanders (20) during the second half at Marlins Park. The Golden Hurricane won 55-10. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Tulsa Golden Hurricane

West, Last season: 10-3 (6-2)

Like several other teams in the American, Tulsa enters 2017 with a lot of promise but a few question marks at quarterback. Unlike some of those other teams, the Golden Hurricane actually seemed to get an answer.

Redshirt freshman Luke Skipper looks like the best bet to replace departed Dane Evans. Skipper completed 16 of his 24 attempts for 173 yards and two scores, far outpacing sophomores Chad President and Will Hefley in the air.

Four running backs also racked up at least 60 rushing yards in the spring game. The Golden Hurricane should have no problems maintaining their offensive prowess. Senior defensive end Jesse Brubaker led a strong defensive outing as well, piling up three of the team's seven sacks in the game. Cooper Edmiston forced a fumble, and Robert Revels III had the game's only interception off an errant Hefley pass.

While Evans has departed Tulsa, there is plenty of reason for optimism. The Golden Hurricane are in a position to contend for the American crown in Phillip Montgomery's third season at the helm. With a dynamic offense and a promising defense, Tulsa will be one of the 2017 favorites to challenge for a New Year's Six invitation.

Dec 29, 2016; Birmingham, AL, USA; South Florida Bulls quarterback Quinton Flowers (9) scores a touchdown during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the 2016 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

South Florida Bulls

East, Last season: 11-2 (7-1)

Though they lost Willie Taggart to the Oregon job, South Florida should still be the team to beat in the American in 2017. The team hired Charlie Strong to replace Taggart after Strong's dismissal from Texas. His record at Louisville and as the defensive coordinator at Florida should allow the Bulls to continue drawing solid prospects to the program.

The spring game revealed the impact of Strong's arrival. The defense looked far more formidable than it did last year, keeping the offensive line on its heels all game.

Star quarterback Quinton Flowers, back for one more year in Tampa, saw limited action in one series for each team. Instead, Brett Kean threw two touchdown passes and Chris Oladokun looked good running the read-option.

For the Bulls, this spring was all about avoiding injuries as much as possible. They accomplished that feat, and should feel good about where they stand in Strong's first season with the team. South Florida looks like the favorite to represent the East in the American championship game in December. The Bulls will also be one of the front-runners next year in the race for the automatic Group of Five bid into a New Year's Six bowl.