American Athletic Conference Power Rankings (9/4/17)

Week one is done, so it is only fair to take a look at the AAC and how the conference shakes out with one game in the books (two for USF). 

1. South Florida (2-0, 0-0): The Bulls barely hold on after two lackluster games to start the season. A trip to UConn should be no problem and the Bulls are expected to be undefeated heading into November for a visit from Houston. Let’s see if they can play four quarters this week.
2. Memphis (1-0, 0-0): The Tigers did enough to take care of ULM on a rainy night in Memphis. There is no time to enjoy the win as they have to visit a talented UCF squad for a week two AAC battle. Now is not the time to be looking forward to UCLA.
3. Houston (0-0, 0-0): Not much to say about the Cougars as they were the only AAC team not to play in week one due to Harvey. The expectations are high and there is a ton of talent on the roster, but Arizona on the road isn’t exactly the debut Major Applewhite wanted to make as a head coach.
4. Central Florida (1-0, 0-0): Scott Frost has done an incredible job in turning UCF from the laughingstock of the AAC to a bowl team in 2016 to one of the top four teams in the conference by week two of the 2017 season. Time to find out if McKenzie Milton and company are for real as Memphis heads to town for a week two clash.
5. Navy (1-0, 0-0): The Midshipmen just keep on rolling. With Zach Abey at quarterback, they rolled up 416 yards on the ground and were never really challenged by FAU. Tulane should give them a tougher opponent and a fun game to watch in week two.
6. Tulsa (0-1, 0-0): I vouched for the Golden Hurricane heading into the season. The offense wasn’t terrible versus a very good Oklahoma State team, but the defense looked lost and out of place. It seemed like every time OK State had the ball, they were hitting a 40+ yard play. Expect lots of points to be scored in week two when they face a Louisiana team that gave up 48 to Southeastern Louisiana.
7. SMU (1-0, 0-0): What can you say about SMU in week one? They put up 58 and won easily over a vastly inferior opponent. There is a lot of talent on the roster and we will find out if the Mustangs are ready to go bowling this fall as their next three opponents went bowling in 2016.
8. Tulane (1-0, 0-0): The Green Wave with a capable quarterback is a team on the rise. They played a good Grambling team and dominated from the opening kickoff. We will learn a lot about them in the next three weeks as they face Navy, Oklahoma, and Army to end the month of September.
9. Temple (0-1, 0-0): The Owls are likely a better team than Tulane, but that was a disappointing performance at Notre Dame. Let’s just say the rush defense needs some work and move on.
10. Cincinnati (1-0, 0-0): In multiple aspects of the game, the Bearcats were dominated by an Austin Peay team that has won a single game in the last four seasons. With #11 Michigan, Miami OH, and Navy in the next three weeks, we could be looking at a 1-3 Cincinnati squad.
11. Connecticut (1-0, 0-0): You can take Diaco out of UConn, but that does not make them a good team. The Huskies deserved to lose this game and only the effort of Bryant Shirreffs saved the day. I guess we know who won the starting quarterback job to face South Florida in week two.
12. East Carolina (0-1, 0-0): Do you hear that noise coming from Greenville? That is a fanbase collectively wishing for the days of Ruffin McNeill once again. The Pirates faced an excellent FCS team and were down 34-7 with just over two minutes left. They could only manage 14 points despite JMU ending the night with 172 penalty yards.

2017 AAC Top Returning Defensive Players

The 2017 season is only two weeks away and it is time to talk defense. The AAC has a love/hate relationship with the defensive side of the ball. Sometimes, defenses take over and give us an old fashioned 13-9 type of game. Other times, the defense is nowhere to be found with teams like Memphis and South Florida putting up basketball game scores.

Individually, the 2016 season was a high-water point for the AAC with Haason Reddick of Temple and Obi Melifonwu of UConn both going in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft. Both are very talented, but neither has quite the upside of this new group led by defensive lineman Ed Oliver of Houston.

Let's take a look at who else is back in 2017.

Tackles:

1. Auggie Sanchez, USF: 119 tackles. 9.2 tpg.
2. Micah Thomas, Navy: 107 tackles, 7.6 tpg.
3. Jonathan Cook, Memphis: 88 tackles, 6.8 tpg.
4. Matthew Adams, Houston: 82 tackles, 7.5 tpg.
5. Vontae Diggs, UConn: 84 tackles, 7.0 tpg.
6. Junior Joseph, UConn: 81 tackles, 6.8 tpg.
7. Jarrod Franklin, Tulane: 78 tackles, 6.5 tpg.
8. Jordan Williams, ECU: 77 tackles, 6.4 tpg.
9. Genard Avery, Memphis: 80 tackles, 6.2 tpg.

It seems like Auggie Sanchez has been at USF for six years, but this is finally his final year in Tampa. He, along with Memphis linebacker Genard Avery, are among the defensive players of the AAC looking at futures in the NFL. Props have to go to Jordan Williams of East Carolina for going from redshirting at Shaw University as a freshman to starting multiple years at ECU. 

Diggs and Joseph of UConn could easily lead the league in tackles this fall unless something is done to fix that dreadful offense. 

Sacks:

1. Petera Wilson, Tulsa: 6.5 sacks.
2. Justin Lawler, SMU: 6.0 sacks.
3. DJ Palmore, Navy: 6.0 sacks.
4. Auggie Sanchez, USF: 6.0 sacks.
5. Bruce Hector, USF: 6.0 sacks.
6. Jesse Brubaker, Tulsa: 5.5 sacks.
7. Ed Oliver, Houston: 5.0 sacks.
8. Ade Aruna, Tulane: 5.0 sacks.
9. Genard Avery, Memphis: 5.0 sacks.

It will be a new day for rushing the passer this year as the top five sack artists from 2016 are gone to the NFL. A player to watch this season is defensive lineman Justin Lawler of SMU. Despite being a bit undersized, Lawler has 11 career sacks and lived in the backfield with 15 tackles for loss last season.

One other thing to note is a number of linebackers getting in the action. Sanchez of USF and Avery of Memphis both had 5+ sacks along with Petera Wilson's 6.5 sacks last fall. Wilson had a total of 16 tackles last season with nearly half for loss. 

Tackles for loss:

1. Ed Oliver, Houston: 23.0 tfl.
2. Justin Lawler, SMU: 15.0 tfl.
3. Jesse Brubaker, Tulsa: 13.5 tfl.
4. DJ Palmore, Navy: 11.5 tfl.
5. Luke Carrezola, UConn: 11.0 tfl.
6. Genard Avery, Memphis: 11.0 tfl.
7. Ade Aruna, Tulane: 10.0 tfl.
8. Tony Guerad, UCF: 10.0 tfl.
9. Kevin Mouhon, Cincinnati: 9.5 tfl.

So many expected Ed Oliver to make some noise heading into the fall. Few had him pegged for the ridiculous numbers he put up this fall. 290-pound defensive tackles do not do this.

And just for good measure...

Interceptions (4 or more):

1. Parry Nickerson, Tulane: 4 INT.
2. Jordan Wyatt, SMU: 4 INT.
3. Deatrick Nichols, USF: 4 INT.

Forced Fumbles (3 or more):

1. Jordan Wyatt, SMU: 4 FF.
2. Ed Oliver, Houston: 3 FF.

2017 AAC Top Returning Offensive Players

It is Monday, so that means it is time to take a look at the AAC in all its glory. Today, we will be taking a look at the top returning players at the three skill positions on offense: running back, receiver, and quarterback.

This year's group has an impressive array of talent and could easily be only of the best classes to pass through the AAC since its inception. Without further ado, let's take a look at the top rushing, passing, and receiving returning stars.

Rushing:

1. Quinton Flowers, USF: 198/1,530/18 TD
2. D’Angelo Brewer, Tulsa: 264/1,435/7 TD
3. Braeden West, SMU: 202/1,036/6 TD
4. Ryquell Armstead, Temple: 156/919/14 TD
5. Dontrell Hilliard, Tulane: 135/759/9TD

Others to watch: Doroland Doreceus MEMPHIS (132/810/9TD), Dontrell Hilliard TULANE (135/759/9TD), Arkeel Newsome UCONN (147/715/5TD), Ke’Mon Freeman SMU (154/654/4TD), Patrick Taylor JR. MEMPHIS (93/546/2TD), Chris High NAVY (85/546/7TD), D’Ernest Johnson

The running back position was hit hard by graduation and early entry to the NFL. Despite losing players like Marlon Mack and James Flanders, there is still a wealth of talent in the offensive backfield. Flowers is a quarterback, but will again put up eye popping stats under new head coach Charlie Strong. Expect D’Ernest Johnson to break 1,000 yards and 10 TDs barring injury.

Keep an eye out for Patrick Taylor Jr. of Memphis to have a breakout season.

Passing:

1. Riley Ferguson, Memphis: 280-443/3,698/32TD/152.6 Efficiency
2. Ben Hicks, SMU: 234-422/2,930/19TD/121.5 Efficiency
3. Quinton Flowers, USF: 207-331/2,812/24TD/153.6 Efficiency
4. Byrant Shirreffs, UConn: 166-283/2,010/7TD/122.2 Efficiency
5. McKenzie Milton, UCF: 194-336/1,983/10TD/113.0 Efficiency

Others to watch: Gardner Minshew ECU (1,347/8TD)/Thomas Sirk ECU (Injured in 2016), Hayden Moore CINCY (1,744/11TD), Glen Cuiellette TULANE (1,309/10TD).

Arguably the strongest skill position group in the conference, the group will only get better with the additions of Thomas Sirk (ECU) and Kyle Allen (Houston). Both were former starters at P5 programs with Sirk leading Duke to a bowl berth before his second Achilles injury.

All eyes will be on Memphis’ Riley Ferguson in the air. He has a chance to break 4,000 yards in year two under Mike Norvell. This could be the year that Memphis ascends to the AAC title game with Ferguson leading the charge.

Receiving:

1. Anthony Miller, Memphis: 95/1,434/14TD
2. Courtland Sutton, SMU: 76/1,246/10TD
3. Linell Bonner, Houston: 98/1,118/3TD
4. Ventell Bryant, Temple: 54/895/4TD
5. Devin Gray, Cincinnati: 58/860/5TD

Others to watch: Tre’Quan Smith UCF (57/853/5TD), Jimmy Williams ECU (45/818/8TD), James Proche SMU (57/709/6TD), Steven Dunbar HOUSTON (53/692/5TD), Justin Hobbs TULSA (50/685/4TD), Phil Mayhue MEMPHIS (42/677/4TD), Keith Kirkwood TEMPLE (42/648/4TD), Kahlil Lewis CINCY (48/605/5TD), Quay Johnson ECU (58/563/3TD), Terren Encalade TULANE (36/500/6TD).

It is amazing that despite being hit with the losses of Zay Jones, Keevan Lucas, Noel Thomas, and Josh Atkinson, the AAC is again stacked out wide. Anthony Miller and Courtland Sutton are borderline first round draft picks with Sutton showing the physical traits to go in the top 15 next year.

It is finally time for Jimmy Williams of ECU to take a step forward after slowly building into a credible threat behind Jones. He and Quay Johnson will give Thomas Sirk the best duo of starting wide receivers of his career, a career that started at Duke.

All-Purpose Yards:

1. Anthony Miller, Memphis: 1,600/123.1 YPG
2. Tony Pollard, Memphis: 1,533/117.9 YPG
3. D’Angelo Brewer, Tulsa: 1,454/121.2 YPG
4. Arkeel Newsome, UConn: 1,452/121.0 YPG
5. Mike Boone, Cincinnati: 1,143/127.0 YPG

In a conference full of dynamic players, Tony Pollard of Memphis may be the best. He is one of the best return men in the nation with a 26.7 yards per kickoff return average that includes two touchdowns. Not only is Pollard a beast returning kicks, he also held a 5.1 yards per carry average and 29 catches on the year. Keep an eye out for punt returner D’Ernest Johnson (18/11.8/1TD). If he is allowed to continue returning punts, he could again be one of the best in the nation.

Otherwise, the AAC will again have a large group of running backs leading the way in all-purpose yards.

Next week, we will take a look at defense and special teams for the AAC before rolling out conference previews.

AAC News And Notes: 8/7/17

By Brian Reading - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8337359

Navy:

Offensive coordinator Ivin Jasper is taking some time away from the program to handle a medical situation involving his youngest son Jarren. The program has chosen to keep private the actual medical condition while allowing Jasper to take as long as needed to be with his son. The 18-year assistant will be replaced during his hiatus by run game and offensive line coach Ashley Ingram.

Family is much more important than football and we wish Jasper and his family all the best wishes and a full recovery.

http://www.capitalgazette.com/sports/navy_sports/ph-ac-cs-ivin-jasper-out-0806-20170805-story.html

Tulsa:

The Golden Hurricane have new turf on H.A Chapman Stadium installed in anticipation of the 2017 season. Take a look at the new turf here.

Moving quickly on install of new turf at #TulsaFB H.A. Chapman Stadium. #ForOurCIty pic.twitter.com/7Qay3dCDYe

— Tulsa Football (@TulsaFootball) August 6, 2017

Memphis:

2017 Auburn signee Carlito Gonzalez has chosen a new home with the Tigers after failing to report to the SEC program last week. Gonzalez is a three-star safety, ranked #28 overall in the Class of 2017 by 247 Sports. He will be forced to take a redshirt season this fall before becoming eligible to play in 2018.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/college/memphis-tigers/football/2017/08/03/memphis-football-adds-former-auburn-signee-carlito-gonzalez/532469001/

SMU:

There is a quarterback battle taking place in fall camp for the Mustangs??? Even though Ben Hicks looked downright impressive at times last fall, he is being pushed by former Arkansas quarterback Rafe Peavey. Between the quarterback battle and the rise of redshirt freshmen in starting roles, SMU is still in the process of building a true two-deep.

https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/smumustangs/2017/08/04/three-things-watch-smus-open-football-practice-saturday

Tulane:

Being the true college football team of New Orleans, the Green Wave are very close with the Saints of the NFL. Building on that relationship, the Saints spent Sunday night hosting an open practice at Yulman Stadium with many Tulane players in attendance.

Ready for Saint's practice at #YulmanStadium #RollWave pic.twitter.com/sNVC2TOY7l

— Tulane Athletics (@TulaneAthletics) August 6, 2017

Temple:

The Owls are going straight up NASCAR this season in allowing donors to “sponsor” one of nine player numbers on the 2017 roster. Among the benefits of sponsoring a players, number are a ride on the team plane to an away game, a custom jersey, and interaction with the student-athlete throughout the year. This seems like something the NCAA will soon outlaw.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2017/08/02/temple-donors-can-sponsor-football-jersey-numbers-50-000/533526001/

South Florida:

Expectations are at a peak heading into the 2017 season for the Bulls as they were recently ranked #21 in the preseason Coaches’ Poll. This is the first time since 2008 for USF to earn a preseason top 25 ranking. The Bulls are the only G5 team to earn a spot in the preseason top 25.

https://www.thedailystampede.com/2017/8/3/16090496/usf-football-ranked-21st-in-preseason-espn-usa-today-coaches-poll

Central Florida:

Following the lead of Shawn Burgess-Becker, Alabama defensive back Aaron Robinson is leaving the Crimson Tide and headed to Orlando. The Deerfield Beach native spent one season at Alabama with five tackles, including a tackle for loss versus Mississippi State. Robinson, the #41 ranked cornerback of the 2016 class, will have to sit out the 2017 season but will have three years of eligibility left after that.

https://www.seccountry.com/alabama/alabama-db-aaron-robinson-transferring-central-florida

Cincinnati:

The Bearcats will open the 2017 season with a brand new video board, replacing the current board that was erected in 2005. It is nearly four times larger than the current board and measures 31’X114’ and is the same model and quality of the board installed at the Great American Ballpark in 2015 before the All-Star Game.

http://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/university-of-cincinnati/2017/08/03/ucs-nippert-stadium-getting-new-video-board/537663001/

East Carolina:

Lots of news in Greenville as senior running back Anthony Scott and junior linebacker Yannis Bowden have been ruled academically ineligible for the upcoming season. While both are casualties to the roster, the Pirates added another graduate transfer in Eastern Michigan punter Austin Barnes. The transfer was a second team All-MAC selection as a junior and shores up a hole in the roster after the graduation of Worth Gregory. Barnes is one of five graduate transfers expected to play a significant role with the Pirates this fall.

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/aac/east-carolina-university/article165684492.html

Connecticut:

The Huskies have opened up pretty much every position for the taking heading into the 2017 season. From quarterback to kicker, it will be a battle to see which Huskies player steps out with the starters this fall.

http://www.nhregister.com/sports/article/UConn-football-team-s-preseason-camp-features-11729468.php

Houston:

Major Applewhite’s biggest goal for the 2017 season is repairing a run game that struggled for a majority of the 2016 season. When Greg Ward Jr. wasn’t handling the football, no one seemed to be able to take the reins and pressure away from the senior quarterback. Duke Catalon looked at times like a star in the making, but injuries took away his effectiveness. He, along with Mulbah Car, will be expected to take significant steps forward this fall.

http://www.chron.com/sports/cougars/article/What-to-watch-as-UH-opens-football-camp-11719152.php

AAC Week Five Review

Another week is in the books for the 2015 college football season with the American Athletic Conference going 7-5. The AAC kicked into gear with four conference games. Let's take a look at the good, bad, and ugly of week five AAC football action.

AAC Week Four Review

Another week is in the books for the 2015 college football season with American Athletic Conference going 4-4 with two conference games taking place, Memphis-Cincinnati and Navy-Connecticut. Let's take a look at the good, bad, and ugly of week four AAC football action.

AAC Week Four Preview

Week four of the college football season get underway tomorrow with Cincinnati and Memphis getting a seat on the big stage. The Conference play is finally kicking into gear with the Cincy-Memphis game one of two conference games on the slate. Navy-UConn is the other.

AAC Week Two Review

Another week is in the books for the 2015 college football season with the American Athletic Conference going 6-5 with only one conference game (Temple-Cincinnati) taking place. Let's take a look at the good, bad, and ugly of week two AAC football.

G5 Top Ten Leading Tacklers: Post-Week Two

Marshall, Akron, and Tulsa lead the way with 12 individuals making 21+ tackles in the first two weeks of the season. Lang of Marshall and Vigil of Utah State are the only two to break the 25 tackle barrier. By conference: Conference USA 3, Mountain West 3, MAC 2, American 4, Sun Belt 0, and Independent 0.

American Athletic Conference Week One Review

With one week in the books, who were the biggest winners and losers of the opening week?

Group Of Five Thursday Night Statistical Leaders

One day of FBS football is in the books and here is a look at the top 10 performers from the opening night games.

AAC Football Week One Preview

All 12 teams in the AAC are in action during week one with all 12 hosting their opponents including three Power Five Conference programs (Baylor, Duke, Penn State). Let's take a look at the games.

2015 AAC predictions

Here are my American Athletic Conference Predictions.

AAC players to watch in 2015

Not sure who to look out for in the AAC this fall? Here is a handy guide of approximately 5-7 players to watch for on every AAC team:

Week One Thursday Night Games: My Predictions

Week One of the FBS season is only two weeks away and brings us 55 games involving G5 teams including six games of G5 versus G5 teams. Today I will predict all 13 Thursday night games.

Fall Previews 9 of 63: Tulane

Tulane:

Group of Five players on the Jim Thorpe Award watch list

Jim Thorpe Award watch list:

American Athletic Conference Team Statistic Rankings

Group of Five players on the Outland Watch List

Outland Trophy:

Opening night Group of Five vs. Power Five matchups

In the opening Thursday night of college football, the Group of Five consisting of the MAC, MWC, Sun Belt, AAC, MWC, Army, and BYU face off versus Power Five (SEC, ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12) opponents in 4 games. Of those 4 games, Group of Five teams are getting a hosting/neutral site game in 2 games.