American Athletic Conference Preview

AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE 2025 

                   FOOTBALL PREVIEW

1. 1. Tulane Green Wave -In 2024, this team finished 9-5 overall and 7-1 in the conference. The quarterback issue has not been resolved. However, three transfers are the likely candidates to start. The choices boil down to Illinois three year backup Donovan Leary, Ball State transfer Kadin Semonza and Iowa transfer Brendan Sullivan. Head coach Jon Sumrall lost many other parts of his offense. Look for this team to make their fourth consecutive conference title game. They play their home games at Hulman Stadium and it seats 30,000 fans. Opening game is at home against Northwestern on August 30th. 2
   2. Navy Midshipmen – Head coach Brian Newberry had his team go 10-3 last season and looks to duplicate or exceed those numbers. Senior Blake Horvath will lead the team as quarterback again this year. The team averaged 31.3 points per game in 2024 and with fullback Akex Tecza and the senior laden offense, Navy appears o be on the right course for a chance to compete for the league title. The defense on this team is very good and Landon Robinson at nose guard is All-American caliber. The Navy squad play at Marine Corps Memorial Stadium which seats 34,000 fans. The Midshipmen open at home on August 30th against VMI.
   3. South Florida Bulls- After going 7-6 in 2024, head coach Alex Golesh has to be excited about his senior laden squad, He has Byrum Brown  at quarterback and he will be throw tons of touchdowns to junior wide receiver Keshaun Singleton. Many call him “baby Calvin Johnson’. Running back will be handled by Jay Ducker and Joquez Smith.The Bulls open up at home vs Boise State on August 30th at Raymond James Stadium which seats 69,218 fans. 
   4. Army Black Knights- Life without Bryson daily and Kanye Udoh will be a it of a struggle. Dewayne Coleman will get his quarterback position back  after his success against Air Force. Look for Noah Short to be the primary running back that hed coach Jeff monken goes to. Look for them to do well in 2025 but not reach the 12 win mark as they did in 2024. Additionally. They play at Michie Stadium and it seats 30.ooo fans. The Black Knights open up against Tarleton State on August 29th at home.
   5. UTSA Roadrunners- Head coach Jeff Traylor is giddy that his junior quarterback returns from a 2024 season in which he threw 25 touchdowns and averaged 263.4 yards. Robert Henry Jr. returns after seven touchdowns last year Every starter on the offensive line returns and this team could take the top spot in the conference. This team plays at the Alamodome and it seats 64,000 fans. They open on August 30th on the road at Texas A&M. 
   6. Memphis Tigers- The Tigers have been elite for a decade or more as tehy have gone to 11 straight bowl games and in the company of Ohio State, Alabama Georgia, Clemson,Iowa and Oklahoma. Head coach Ryan Silverfield and Nevada transfer Brandon Lewis is likely to be quarterback. Along with him, running back is expected to be Sutton Smith. Receivers are still undecided and the defenses suffered high losses. The Tigers play at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in front of full house of 50,000 fans.Opening day is August 30th at home against Chattanooga.
   7. East Carolina Pirates- Katin Houser returns as quarterback after throwing for over 2,000 yards in  1014 and over 60% completion is the first good step forward for head coach Blake Herrell. However, the Pirates lost a ton through the portal and likely will see many new players on the field which makes them an  unknown quantity. The Pirates play at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium which has 51,000 as the seating capacity. The opener is August 28th on the road at NC State.
   8. Florida Atlantic Owls – Kaden Veltkamp enters after a very successful season at Western Kentucky where he threw for over 3.000 yards along with 25  touchdowns. New head coach Zach Kittley knows Veltkame very well as he recruited him to WKU. Also, coming over is receiver Eston Messer from WKU that caught 55 catches with 14.4 yards per catch. Another transfer is from Virginia as JR Wilson JR.. is another target and a big one at 6’4”. The Owls have 19 new transfers. This team may far exceed the eighth place I have given them. They play at Flagler Credit Union Stadium in Boca Raton, FL. Opening game is at Maryland on August 30th.
   9. North Texas- Mean Green- Things haven’t been good in Denton for the North Texas Mean Green. It has been eight years since hey have had a winning season. Things don’t look any better for head coach Eric Morris. He loaded up in the portal but it will depend on the abilities of quarterback Miami transfer Reese Poffenbarger. DATCU Stadium is their home and it seats 30,ooo fans. The season opener is August 30th at home against Lamar. 
   10. Temple Owls- New head coach K.C, Keeler looks to improve this squad from a 3-win team to a bowl eligible team/ Senor quarterback Evan Smith returns. Running back Jay Ducker keeps following his coach and looks to be the key to the offense in 2025. The defense should have some improvement under new coordinator Brian L. Smith . However, returning experience is basically none.This team plays at the Lincoln Financial field in Philadelphia .Where it holds 67,594 fans.The Owls open on August 30th on the road against UMASS.
   11. Charlotte- 49’ers – Head coach Tim Albin has a large hill to climb in his first year in Charlotte as only one offensive player returns and one defensive player. Sophomore Grayson Loftis is an unknown quantity at quarterback. I likely should agave placed this squad last in the conference. They play at Jerry Richardson Stadium that seats 15,314 fans. They open their season on August 29th at home against App State.
   12. Rice Owls- This team has many question marks and one of them the offense and lack of experience. New head coach Scott bell comes over from Davidson and junior Al Padgett at quarterback. The defense is looking promising and that may get the Owls a few more wins than last year. They play their home contests a Owl Stadium in Houston and 47,000 fans. The opener is August 30th at home against Louisiana. 
   13. UAB Blazers- Third year head coach Trent Dilfer is on the hot seat unless he can get his team to a bowl game. That appears unlikely. Aenir Jalen Kitna returns at quarterback after throwing for 2,209 yards and 17 touchdowns with 11 interceptions. He could be the difference maker. The defense is outstanding with plenty of returnees. Sirad Bryant is a NFL caliber safety. The 49’ers play at Protective Stadium with 47,100 seats and open on August 28th at home against Alabama State. 
   14. Tulsa Golden Hurricanes – Head coach Tre Lamb is the new coach at Tulsa. Even though he is only 35 years of age, he is a good hire for this poorly performing team. Sophomore quarterback Kirk Francis  will get a  workout as coach Lamb was a pass first head coach at East Tennessee State as the play caller. The defense was porous last year and needs to do better. Tulsa plays at the H.A. Chapman Stadium and 30,000 fans will fill it. Abilene Christian is their first opponent and at home on August 30th.

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