The Week That Was
Week 4 turned into another showcase for the American Conference. Two programs picked up landmark victories against Power 4 opponents, proving why this league has earned the title of best in the Group of Five. It started Friday night, when Tulsa stunned Oklahoma State on the road. Then, on Saturday, Memphis grabbed the spotlight with a thrilling 32-31 victory over Arkansas, a statement that reverberated across the national playoff conversation. Those two wins pushed the American to six Power 4 victories this season.
There could have been a seventh, but Tulane ran into a buzzsaw in Oxford, where Ole Miss pulled away for a decisive win. Even so, the Green Wave remains firmly in the mix. With Navy idle, North Texas taking care of business, and South Florida bouncing back from its Miami loss, the American looks deep and dangerous entering Week 5.
1. Memphis (4-0)
The Tigers officially put themselves on the national radar with a 32-31 win over Arkansas. It wasn’t just the result, but how Memphis responded to adversity—erasing an 18-point deficit against an SEC opponent. Running back Sutton Smith once again paced the ground attack, quarterback Brendon Lewis delivered with his arm and legs, and the defense made critical stops in the second half.
Now comes the real test of maturity. A year ago, Memphis knocked off Florida State only to fall flat against Navy next week. The same trap looms as they open conference play. If Ryan Silverfield’s squad can avoid repeating history, the Tigers have the inside track toward a playoff push.
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2. Navy (3-0)
In Week 4, the Midshipmen remain steady at No. 2. Blake Horvath has guided the option attack efficiently, and the defense has generated turnovers at key moments. The break allowed Navy to regroup before hosting Rice in Week 5—a matchup that could reveal whether the Mids are a true title threat or just a dark horse. Their disciplined style continues to make them a dangerous opponent in the American.
3. North Texas (4-0)
The Mean Green kept the momentum rolling with another strong showing, improving to 4-0. Drew Mestemaker has been a difference-maker at quarterback, while the running back tandem of Makenzie McGill II and Jayden Becks has provided balance. Still, Week 5 presents a trap game scenario. South Alabama already gave Tulane all it could handle back in Week 2, and UNT cannot afford to look ahead to its Week 6 showdown with South Florida. Handle business now, and the Mean Green can enter that matchup as a legitimate conference contender.
4. South Florida (3-1)
The Bulls bounced back emphatically from their humbling at Miami by routing South Carolina State 63-14. Byrum Brown returned to form, leading an offense that once again looked explosive. The defense, which showed cracks in the Swamp and at Hard Rock Stadium, smothered its FCS opponent. More importantly, the Bulls get to reset emotionally before beginning conference play. The road to redemption starts with Charlotte, and USF still has everything to play for in the CFP chase.
5. Tulane (3-1)
Tulane’s 45-10 loss to Ole Miss was a reality check, but it doesn’t erase the strong foundation Jon Sumrall has built. Jake Retzlaff remains one of the more dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in the Group of Five, and the Green Wave’s defensive front will win them games in the American. According to The Athletic, Tulane still has a 31 percent chance of reaching the CFP as the Group of Five representative. Key showdowns with Memphis, UTSA, and Army will decide their fate. One setback doesn’t remove Tulane from the race but raises the stakes.
6. Rice (3-1)
After a 0-2 start, the Owls have steadied themselves with back-to-back wins, most recently a 28-17 victory over Charlotte in Week 4. The defense made key stops in the second half, while the offense leaned on a balanced attack to control the game.
Now comes a defining moment: a road trip to Annapolis to take on Navy. The Midshipmen are undefeated and one of the league’s most physical teams, meaning Rice must match their toughness in the trenches. A victory over Navy would validate the Owls’ turnaround and insert them firmly into the American Conference contender conversation.
7. Tulsa (2-2)
Tulsa delivered one of the American’s most impressive results of the young season, upsetting Oklahoma State 27-24 in Week 4. Quarterback Cardell Williams managed the game effectively, while the defense forced timely stops to hold off their in-state rival. The kind of statement win shows the Golden Hurricane can’t be overlooked in the conference race.
The celebration, however, must be short-lived. Next up is Tulane, a motivated Green Wave squad coming off a humbling 45-10 loss to Ole Miss. Facing one of the conference’s most talented rosters, Tulsa must replicate its Week 4 composure while elevating its play to another level. A competitive effort would show staying power, but back-to-back upsets would turn the Golden Hurricane into one of the league’s biggest surprise stories.
8. UTSA (2-2)
The Roadrunners evened their record with a hard-fought 17-16 win over Colorado State, their second straight victory after an 0-2 start. Robert Henry powered the ground game with over 100 rushing yards, while the defense forced key stops late to seal the win. UTSA opens conference play this week against Temple, where consistency will be the key to keeping its upward trajectory alive.
9. East Carolina (2-2)
The Pirates ran into trouble at home, falling 34-13 to BYU. Their offense struggled to find rhythm, and turnovers buried any chance of a comeback. Now comes a quick turnaround with Army coming to town on Thursday night. East Carolina’s ability to reset mentally and physically will determine whether they slide further down the standings or re-establish themselves in the middle tier of the league.
10. Temple (2-2)
It’s been a tale of two seasons so far. The Owls stormed out of the gates, outscoring their first two opponents 97-10, only to collapse in back-to-back blowout losses against Oklahoma and Georgia Tech. As they prepare for UTSA in their American opener, Temple faces a critical identity check. Are they the explosive squad from September’s first two weeks, or the team that’s been outclassed by tougher competition?
11. UAB (2-2)
The Blazers were humbled in Knoxville, dropping a 56-24 decision to Tennessee. Quarterback Jalen Kitna flashed some positives, but the defense was gashed repeatedly by the Vols’ tempo. UAB enters a bye in Week 5 before returning against Army. The extra time should allow Trent Dilfer’s team to regroup and address glaring issues on the defensive side.
12. FAU (1-2)
FAU fell to rival FIU 38-28 in a disappointing showing that dropped the Owls to 1-3. Quarterback Caden Veltkamp was inconsistent, and the defense gave up too many explosive plays. It doesn’t get any easier with Memphis up next. Facing a Tigers team riding high after a win over Arkansas, FAU will need its best effort of the season just to stay competitive.
13. Army (1-2)
The Black Knights couldn’t keep up with North Texas, falling 45-38 in a high-scoring battle. While their triple-option attack moved the ball, defensive lapses left too many points on the board for the Mean Green. Army’s upcoming Thursday night clash with East Carolina looms as a must-win if they want to avoid sinking deeper into the bottom of the rankings.
14. Charlotte (1-2)
The 49ers struggled offensively in a 28-17 loss to Rice, managing just one touchdown until late in the fourth quarter. While quarterback Conner Harrell showed some flashes, the defense has yet to put together a complete performance. Sitting at 1-3, Charlotte will have to turn things around quickly to avoid being left behind in the conference race.
