By Ben Little
The American Athletic Conference underwent a significant face-lift this past year, losing three schools to the Big 12, while welcoming six newcomers from the Conference USA. With the departure of Houston, UCF, and Cincinnati to greener pastures, is there anyone who stands in the way of Michael Pratt and Tulane in their quest for back-to-back AAC championships? Two schools from Texas and a sleeper in Tennessee come to mind as threats to the Green Wave’s title defense in 2023.
The first is SMU. The Mustangs had a significant makeover in the offseason, acquiring 26 players in the transfer portal. If former four-star quarterback Preston Stone can fill the shoes of his predecessor Tanner Mordecai, and the defense takes a step forward, there is a lot of hope for an SMU team that gets a very workable schedule.
UTSA also looks to compete for the conference. The Roadrunners transitioned to the AAC following twenty-three wins and CUSA titles in 2021 and 2022. The Roadrunners will welcome back sixteen starters from the 2022 team, led by a quarterback who averaged 333 yards per game in Frank Harris. Boasting plenty of star power at skill positions on either side of the ball, UTSA has the pieces to immediately compete with the AAC’s best.
Memphis is expected to come into 2023 with a chip on its shoulder and the time is now for coach Ryan Silverfield to prove he can compete within his own conference. The Tigers’ conference win total is expected to rise this season, given the AAC’s new faces and ball-hawking defense. Lastly, they benefit from home-field advantage against front-runners Tulane and SMU this season.
The race for the AAC this year should be an exciting one. Tulane is regarded as the Group of Five’s College Football Playoff hopeful this season. If they can upset Ole Miss in week two and finish the season undefeated, they could even get them looks from the CFP committee. The Mustangs’ offseason moves and UTSA’s past success also place them among the conference’s upper echelon. Memphis also has the talent and recent success to make a move in the conference.
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This sets the stage for some very exciting AAC football this season, and without further ado, here are the games you want to circle on your schedule.
Tulane @ Memphis
Friday, 10/13
Starting out the list, Tulane takes a road trip to an upset-minded Memphis team. The Tigers think they’re underrated and can finally break through without Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF in front of them. There are questions on who Memphis QB Seth Henigan will throw to, but there is no question that he’s one of the AAC’s best signal-callers, and Tulane’s secondary has some questions to start the season.
While Tulane should be favored to win, they can’t overlook a feisty Memphis team who will be itching to eliminate the Green Wave in front of the locals.
UTSA @ Florida Atlantic
Saturday, 10/21
The UTSA Roadrunners went undefeated in C-USA play last season but will undoubtedly face a tougher schedule this season: cue the Roadrunners’ visit to Boca Raton in late October. Another C-USA transfer, there are a couple of notable new faces at FAU this season in head coach Tom Herman and transfer quarterback Casey Thompson.
The former Texas and Nebraska quarterback joins a deep FAU backfield led by Larry McCammon III and is one of the biggest additions to any AAC. With only six returning starters on defense, the Owls are hoping to mesh prior to the week eight matchup with UTSA which is the biggest question before the game. This FAU team is capable of an upset or two this season, and the Roadrunners better be on high alert if they are to stay at the top of the pack following the October 21st matchup.
SMU @ Memphis
Saturday, 11/18
The second game in Simmons Bank Liberty Bowl Stadium on the list, Memphis has had this game circled since last season’s game ended. SMU won 31-34 at home after Henigan threw a game-losing interception in the end zone. The last five games in the series have been competitive, one-score games, and this one looks to be no different.
Memphis has to replace their top four receivers and improve the pass rush (only twenty-one sacks last year), but they have a very talented roster. If they can do that, then the Tigers not only have the chance to play spoiler to the Pony Express but may still have a horse in the AAC race as well.
Tulane @ Florida Atlantic
Saturday, 11/18
The same day SMU looks to avoid an upset on the road, the Green Wave will have their own road test. FAU’s question marks at wide receiver should be an intriguing matchup for Tulane’s own worries in the secondary. By this point in the season will either unit improve? The game also has two veteran quarterbacks who will put up some explosive offensive plays.
Tulane’s front seven will have the challenge of slowing down one of the most talented backfields in the conference at FAU. Casey Thompson has shown in the past he can single-handedly take over a football game. The Owls will need Thompson and his offense to score often if they are to keep up with the defending conference championships in this week 12 matchup.
UTSA @ Tulane
Saturday, 11/25
Patience is a virtue for AAC fans this season, as week 13 sees two conference heavyweights go at it, with this game possibly acting as an AAC semifinal. Two high-flying offenses, who combined for an average of 458.6 yards per game offensively and 36.4 points per game, go head-to-head in New Orleans on the last week of the regular season.
The deciding factor will likely be who can get stops. UTSA has an early advantage, returning seven players on defense including All-AAC safety Rashad Wisdom, while Tulane will see some new faces at linebacker and in the secondary. There is no question this is the must-watch game in the conference this season and any added implications that come with it will only be an added bonus.
