American Athletic Conference 2015 Football Preview
The American Athletic Conference is undergoing some changes this year. It is growing by a member, Navy, and this is allowing the conference to host its first Championship Game this year. This means that the AAC will have a game playing of equal significance on Championship weekend without having to luck into enlightened scheduling or anything like that.
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The conference will also be split into two divisions for the first time. There will be East Carolina, UConn, UCF, USF, Temple, and Cincinnati in the East. Houston, SMU, Tulsa, Memphis, Tulane, and Navy will make the West Division. Last year that would have provided for a more powerful East and probably have given Houston or Memphis a better shot at the title.
As it is, the AAC is bringing Cincy back. The Bearcats were early favorites last year and quarterback Gunnar Kiel is a year better and has all his receivers. Memphis will be looking to build on its surprise season of last year. Temple will be looking to do more than play spoiler. SMU will be looking for hope from its new coach. UCF will just ty to keep on keeping on. Finally, Navy is going to be looking to crash the party with the triple option.
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Who Holds the Belt: Take Your Pick
The AAC championship race was a three man dead heat at the end of last season. Cincinnati, UCF, and Memphis all ended up with identical 7-1 conference records. Memphis had the best overall record between these teams, but UCF can claim to be two time defending champions. It is situations like this that make me glad there will be a champion decided on the field so that this kind of thing does not happen.
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Predicted Finish (Conference Only)
East Division –
1. Cincinnati Bearcats (7-1) – tiebreaker
2. UCF Knights (7-1)
3. East Carolina Pirates (6-2)
4. Temple Owls (4-4)
5. USF Bulls (1-7)
6. UConn Huskies (1-7)
West Division –
1. Houston Cougars (6-2) – tiebreaker
2. Memphis Tigers (6-2)
3. Navy Midshipmen (6-2)
4. Tulane Green Wave (3-5)
5. Tulsa Golden Hurricane (1-7)
6. SMU Mustangs (0-8)
Championship – Cincinnati Bearcats over Houston Cougars