Since our last AAC Power Rankings, much has changed in the conference landscape. One of our top teams, the Navy Midshipmen, suffered a surprising loss to the Rice Owls, a team in transition after a midseason coaching change. The Memphis Tigers also took a setback, jeopardizing their AAC title hopes with a defeat at the hands of the UTSA RoadRunners in Week 10. Meanwhile, teams like Tulane and Army kept their winning streaks alive, reinforcing their positions at the top. With only a few weeks left in the season, the AAC title race has narrowed to a three-team contest between Army, Tulane, and Navy. Memphis remains in the mix, but they’ll need significant help to keep their championship hopes alive. Here are our updated AAC Power Rankings heading into Week 12.
1. Army: 9-0: Are teams beginning to find cracks in the Black Knights’ armor? While still undefeated, Army has struggled to put up big numbers over the past two weeks, scoring just 20 points against Air Force in Week 11 and only 14 in a recent matchup with North Texas. For Army to maintain its momentum and knock off No. 8 Notre Dame in Week 13, they’ll need to rekindle the offensive firepower that defined their early-season performances.
2. Tulane: 8-2: Right now, Tulane may be the team to beat in the AAC. Their commanding 52-6 victory over Temple showcased their dominance and positioned them as the strongest contender in the conference. With AAC Championship implications, the Green Wave’s upcoming clash with Navy could determine their postseason fate.
3. Memphis: 8-2: While an AAC title game berth may be slipping out of reach, Memphis still has plenty to play for. Their Week 12 matchup with UAB and a potential Thanksgiving night showdown against Tulane could offer a chance to end the season on a high note. If Tulane defeats Navy, Memphis might still be in the conversation for a title bid.
4. Navy: 7-2: After two consecutive losses to Notre Dame and Rice, Navy regained their footing in Week 11 with a 28-7 win over South Florida. Their Week 12 game against Tulane will be pivotal, with the winner likely securing a spot in the AAC Championship game. The Midshipmen must bring their best to keep their title hopes alive against a red-hot Green Wave.
5. East Carolina 5-4: The Pirates are edging closer to bowl eligibility after back-to-back wins, including a dominant 49-14 performance against Florida Atlantic in Week 11. With a win over Tulsa this Friday, East Carolina would secure their spot in a bowl game, capping off a strong finish to the season under interim leadership.
Power Rankings 6-14
6. North Texas 5-4: The Mean Green are on a two-game skid after a 14-6 loss to Army in Week 11. Despite their strong start, they’ll need a bounce-back performance to stay in bowl contention. This Friday, they’ll have a critical opportunity against UTSA to get back on track.
7. UTSA 4-5: The RoadRunners were on a bye in Week 11 but notched a big win over Memphis, 44-36, the previous week. With a must-win game against North Texas on Friday, UTSA will look to keep their postseason hopes alive.
8. South Florida 4-5: The Bulls are on the cusp of bowl eligibility for the second consecutive year under head coach Alex Golesh. With three winnable games remaining on their schedule, South Florida has a prime opportunity to secure postseason play. Their upcoming matchup against Charlotte will be pivotal in determining their bowl prospects.
9. Charlotte 3-6: The 49ers haven’t seen the field since their 34-6 loss to Tulane on Halloween night. As they prepare to host South Florida this Saturday, Charlotte hopes to turn things around and end their season positively.
10. Tulsa 3-6: Tulsa is coming off a break since their 59-21 defeat to UAB on November 2. The Golden Hurricane will look to get back in the win column as they host East Carolina on Thursday night, aiming to keep their bowl eligibility hopes alive.
11. Rice: 3-7: Rice put up a strong fight in a close 27-20 loss to Memphis, showing that their performance often surpasses what their record suggests. Despite their struggles this season, the Owls continue to play with grit, keeping games competitive and proving to be a tougher opponent than their record might indicate.
12. UAB 2-7: The Blazers are facing a challenging season with a 2-7 record, and their hopes for bowl eligibility have faded. The highlight remaining on their schedule is the Battle of the Bones rivalry game. Winning this trophy would provide a much-needed morale boost and a positive note to an otherwise difficult year for UAB.
13. Temple 2-7: The Owls faced a tough outing against Tulane, suffering a 52-6 loss that underscored their challenges this season. With bowl eligibility no longer in reach, the Owls will focus on ending their season on a positive note.
14. Florida Atlantic 2-7: Florida Atlantic’s struggles continued with a 49-14 loss to East Carolina. At 2-7, the Owls have had a difficult season and must regroup to find any late-season success.
As we head into the final stretch of the AAC season, the conference landscape is becoming clearer. Army remains undefeated but has shown signs of vulnerability, needing to reignite their early-season offensive prowess to stay atop the standings. Tulane is hitting its stride at the perfect time, making a strong case as the team to beat with their explosive performances. Despite recent setbacks, the Navy is still in the hunt but faces a crucial test against Tulane that could make or break their title aspirations. Memphis holds onto an outside chance for a championship berth but will require victories and favorable outcomes elsewhere. Teams like East Carolina are surging late, aiming for bowl eligibility and a strong finish. The upcoming weeks promise high-stakes matchups and potential shifts in the standings, making every game critical as the race for the AAC title intensifies.
