AAC Power Rankings Week 3

Here’s what I’ll ask. Where would you rank Tulsa? Obviously they aren’t better than UCF, Cincinnati, SMU or Memphis, but are they better than 1-1 Navy? 1-1 Tulane? 1-1 USF? Can you even rank a team that doesn’t have a win? The Golden Hurricane might have lost to Oklahoma State, but there was plenty to like about what they did through the first three quarters on Saturday. They just need to make it a complete game next time.

1. UCF (1-0)

The Knights used 42 combined points in the second and fourth quarters to pull away from Georgia Tech, and did so in the face of adversity. UCF quarterback Dillon Gabriel put on a show (417 yards), one that should scare the entire conference. This was their first game, and while there are things that need fixing, the Knights are already a scary team in just their first week.

2. Cincinnati (1-0)

Gerrid Doaks reminded everyone that he was supposed to be the guy before Michael Warren took over for him. The Bearcats running back accounted for 84 yards and four touchdowns in a 55-20 win over Austin Peay on Saturday, giving Cincinnati their first win of the season. They scored 14 points in every quarter except the fourth (13) to put the Governors away for good.

3. SMU (2-0)

It’s safe to say the Mustangs figured things out between their first win over Texas State and this weekend’s game. Shane Buechele, Ulysses Bentely IV, Reggie Roberson, and Rashee Rice all shined for the offense, and Danny Gray even provided the highlight reel play above. Yes the defense gave up 35 points, but it’s tough to lose when you score 65.

4. Memphis (1-0)

We were supposed to see the Tigers and Houston play this weekend, but a party bus incident and cases of COVID ended that. The next game against UTSA on September 25th has also been canceled. So who knows when we’ll see the Tigers again. Will they be rusty after having 3+ weeks off between games? Will they even play another one? I wish I had more answers.

5. Navy (1-1)

Never count out the Midshipmen. Facing a 24-0 deficit at Tulane, Navy stormed back with an improbably comeback to win 27-24 with a field goal as time expired. After a brutal 52-point beatdown at the hands of BYU, many were questioning the Midshipmen’s success for 2020. They quieted those concerns for now, and walked away with a thrilling win.

6. Tulane (1-1)

This one stings. Last year, the Green Wave stunned Houston with a 20+ point comeback, but this weekend they were the ones on the losing end. They needed a comeback last weekend against South Alabama, but apparently they used up all of their magic.

7. Tulsa (0-1)

You can’t shoot yourself in the foot when facing a Power 5 team. Tulsa had a golden opportunity to pull off an upset, but a hurricane of mistakes cost them that chance. If you’re looking for positives, there were many. Zach Smith threw some pretty passes in tight coverage, Deneric Prince made a highlight reel run, the receivers were getting open. Allie Green IV battled with one of college football’s best receiver, you name it. It was all there until the fourth quarter started.

8. USF (1-1)

It’s going to be tough to see the Bulls go above the bottom spot. A win over The Citadel was nice, but it was back to reality when USF got stomped by Notre Dame this weekend.

Not Ranked Yet

Houston

ECU

Temple