AAC Power Rankings Week 11

We’re down to five contenders now for the conference title. UCF, Memphis, USF, Houston, and SMU all have varying chances of winning the division and conference. Temple pulled off the surprise of the weekend, beating Navy at home, and the Owls removed themselves from the bottom of the conference.

1. UCF

It was arguably the Knights worst performance this season, against a strong team, and they still won. That’s scary. McKenzie Milton put up a career high 412 yards passing, and they needed every single yard. Yes, the Knights are human, but not enough to lose quite yet.

2. Memphis

Memphis avoided the same struggles that SMU and Houston had against Tulsa, and pulled away with a 41-14 win. Riley Ferguson added another four touchdown passes, bringing his total to 27 for the year. Mike Norvell continues to open up the playbook, and the Tigers continue to develop new playmakers as the year goes on. That will bode well for them should they find themselves in a rematch against the team above.

3. USF

Quinton Flowers absolutely dominated UConn’s defense, and it’s beginning to look like Quinton Flowers the runner has turned into Quinton Flowers the passer. Ok, maybe not, but the Bulls senior quarterback threw for 385 yards against the Huskies just a week after throwing for 325 against Houston.

4. Houston

D’Eriq King should be the quarterback going forward. We say should because we’re not sure what’s going to happen with that position for the Cougars. King has played two of the best games of the season at that position for Houston, so we feel somewhat confident it’s his job now. Houston’s offense could be a serious problem for future opponents, and ECU found that out the hard way.

5. SMU

Losing by seven to the best team in the conference isn’t a bad thing, but the Mustangs have to feel frustrated after this week. They had a chance to give UCF its first loss of the season and keep themselves in contention for the AAC East, but couldn’t quite pull through. With the Knights defense focusing on Courtland Sutton and Trey Quinn, James Proche found plenty of green grass....err...turf to run on. This could be a dangerous team next year and, even with this tough loss, they’re learning how to compete with the best teams in the conference.

6. Navy

Some of us knew that this team wasn’t the same as previous squads, but Saturday just proved that. After enduring a couple losses to UCF and Memphis, and Midshipmen were upset by Temple. Zach Abey didn’t have a great game, and it’s looking like he doesn’t have the same magic that his predecessors did. Still, Navy is one win away from a bowl game berth, even if it might be difficult in their last three opportunities.

7. Temple

The Owls made a case for upset of the year by stunning the Midshipmen in the rematch of last year’s conference title game. A change at quarterback was the big factor, and Frank Nutile appears to have secured the job for the future.

8. Cincinnati

A battle with Tulane resulted in a win, and kept the Bearcats bowl game hopes alive. Home games against UConn and Temple and a trip to ECU remain on the schedule. Don’t count them out just yet.

9. Tulane

A team that showed so much promise to begin the year is suddenly on a four game losing streak and scrambling to make a bowl game. ECU should be a win, but games against Houston and SMU will be difficult.

10. UConn

Annnnnndddddd they’re back. After a brief exit from the bottom three, the Huskies found their way back to the bottom. It’s tough that they are here though, because consistency would have done this team a lot of good. It’s still a surprise to almost everyone that the defense continues to struggle.

11. Tulsa

For a second, it looked like Tulsa was going to continue this inexplicable trend of alternating good weeks with bad. Then, Memphis woke up. D’Angelo Brewer continues to be the lone consistent bright spot in a season that hasn’t been what many expected.

12. ECU

For once, we’ll save the negative things to say about the Pirates. Their offense showed some promise on Saturday, and it wasn’t because of just Davon Grayson. Trevon Brown and Quay Johnson combined for 25 catches with 256 yards and three touchdowns. Gardner Minshew threw for 463 yards and three scores after taking over for Thomas Sirk. So, even though they didn’t win, Scottie Montgomery’s group continued to battle against Houston.