Army and Navy have surged to the top of the standings as the conference race heats up, each boasting a perfect 5-0 record after dominant performances in their recent matchups. Both service academies have displayed elite discipline and execution, distinguishing themselves as the premier teams in the AAC. With Army and Navy holding the first and second spots, there’s growing excitement around the possibility of seeing the annual Army-Navy rivalry in the regular season and a potential AAC Championship showdown.
With the new 12-team College Football Playoff format, we may witness history as a service academy earning a spot in the playoffs for the first time. However, they’re not the only programs on the rise. Under first-year head coach Jon Sumrall, Tulane has found its groove, posting an explosive 70-point victory on the road against UAB. As the Green Wave heats up at just the right time, they’re a team to watch as the season progresses. Let’s dive into how the rest of the AAC stacks up this week!
1. Navy (5-0): Navy is our top-ranked team in this week’s AAC Power Rankings. Under the leadership of second-year head coach Brian Newberry, the Midshipmen are making tremendous strides and proving themselves as the team to beat in the conference. Their most impressive victory thus far came against the Memphis Tigers, where they racked up over 500 yards of total offense against one of the AAC’s toughest defenses. Since that statement won over Memphis, the Navy has continued to dominate, outscoring its opponents by a combined 75-25. Their most recent triumph came from a commanding 34-7 victory over service academy rival Air Force, solidifying their place at the top of the AAC standings.
2. Army (5-0): Right behind the Navy at number two on our list are the Black Knights, who have been off to their best start since 1996. Like their service academy counterparts, the Black Knights remain undefeated this season, proving themselves as one of the most formidable teams in the AAC. Their offense has been nothing short of explosive, consistently lighting up the scoreboard and scoring under 30 points just once this season. In their most recent outing, Army delivered a commanding 37-14 beatdown of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in Week 6, further cementing their place near the top of the AAC standings.
3. Tulane (4-2): Tulane delivered the most impressive team performance of the Week 6 AAC slate with a resounding 71-20 road victory over the UAB Blazers. This explosive outing marked the third consecutive week that the Green Wave have scored at least 40 points, showcasing their offensive firepower. After suffering tough back-to-back losses to Power 4 schools Kansas State and Oklahoma, Tulane seems to have found its rhythm and is trending in the right direction. With their momentum building, their upcoming Week 7 matchup against Rice offers another prime opportunity for Tulane to continue their offensive assault.
4. Memphis (4-1): Memphis remains in the hunt for an AAC Championship appearance and a potential College Football Playoff berth. However, their 56-44 loss to Navy dealt a significant blow to their resume, leaving a stain on what has otherwise been a strong season. With AAC matchups beginning to intensify, the Tigers have a prime opportunity to reestablish themselves as serious contenders. Despite their solid record, Memphis has yet to display the explosive, big-play capabilities they frequently showcased last season. Rediscovering that spark will be critical for the Tigers to stay in the championship conversation as the season progresses.
5. North Texas (4-1): North Texas is off to a strong start in their second season in the AAC, showing significant growth under head coach Eric Morris. The Mean Green has delivered back-to-back dominant performances, showcasing offensive firepower and defensive tenacity. As they gear up for their next challenge, a matchup against Florida Atlantic on Saturday, North Texas will look to continue their impressive run and maintain their momentum in AAC play. A win would further improve their status as a team to watch in the conference this season.
6. Charlotte (3-3): The 49ers may finally be finding some consistency under head coach Biff Poggi, as the 49ers are riding a two-game winning streak and playing their best football of the season. Their recent performances have shown marked improvement on both sides of the ball, but a huge test awaits them this Saturday when they face off against the conference’s top team, Navy. A win would be a significant statement for Charlotte and a turning point in their season, but they’ll need to be at their best to keep the streak alive.
7. East Carolina (3-3): The Pirates need a quick rebound after a tough 55-24 defeat to Charlotte in Week 6. The Pirates have a bye in Week 7, giving them time to regroup and address their weaknesses. However, a crucial matchup against the undefeated Army Black Knights awaits them when they return to action. ECU must make significant adjustments to contend with one of the AAC’s top teams and get back on track.
8. Florida Atlantic (2-3): The Florida Atlantic Owls are off to another challenging start under head coach Tom Herman, as consistency has been hard to come by this season. They’ve struggled to put together complete performances against their opponents, leaving room for improvement in all game phases. However, starting this Saturday against a tough North Texas squad, the Owls have a chance to turn things around and shift the trajectory of their season. A strong showing could be the spark they need to get back on track.
9. South Florida (2-3): South Florida is not off to the start they had envisioned when the 2024 season began. Once considered a potential favorite to win the AAC title and possibly represent the Group of Five in the College Football Playoff, the Bulls now find themselves at 2-3 and on a two-game losing streak. Their recent struggles were highlighted by a 45-10 blowout loss to Tulane in Week 5. With their season slipping away, Saturday’s matchup against Memphis could be the Bulls’ last stand to keep their AAC title game hopes alive. A loss here could mark a turning point in the wrong direction.
10. UTSA (2-3): UTSA entered the season with high expectations, much like South Florida, as a potential contender for the AAC title and a spot in the College Football Playoff. However, their season has gone in the opposite direction. The Roadrunners sit at 2-3, placing them 10th in the AAC standings. Despite their struggles, UTSA has a favorable stretch of three winnable games before a critical matchup against Memphis on November 2. This upcoming stretch presents a key opportunity for the Roadrunners to get their season back on track and make a push up the conference standings.
11. Tulsa (2-4): The Golden Hurricanes are currently on a two-game losing streak, and it looks like another year of rebuilding under second-year head coach Kevin Wilson. While there have been flashes of potential, consistency remains elusive for Tulsa.
12. Rice (1-4): Rice is on a three-game losing streak and is in danger of falling into the lower tier of the AAC this season. With their current form, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for the Owls to establish themselves as a competitive force in the conference.
13. UAB (1-4): The Blazers are reeling from a four-game losing skid with little hope. Their most recent loss, a 71-20 defeat at the hands of Tulane in Week 6, highlighted their struggles. The early years of the Trent Dilfer era have been rocky, and UAB must turn things around quickly.
14. Temple (1-5): Head coach Stan Drayton is on the hot seat as Temple appears headed for another losing season. With remaining games against tough opponents like Tulane, East Carolina, and North Texas, the Owls face slim chances of salvaging their season.
Subscribe on YouTube
Don’t miss out on the latest and greatest content surrounding the Memphis Tigers! Stay connected and up to date by liking, commenting, and subscribing to our YouTube channel, Memphis Wire. Doing so ensures you never miss a beat regarding news, highlights, analysis, and interviews related to your favorite teams. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or simply love following the action, our channel is your go-to destination for all things Memphis Tigers. So, hit that like button, leave a comment to join the conversation, and subscribe to Memphis Wire to ensure you’re always in the loop!
