The American Athletic Conference is starting the season without a defending football champion because SMU, the 2023 title winner, has moved to the ACC.
However, three strong teams from last season—Memphis, Tulane, and UTSA—are back and ready to compete. South Florida could also be a surprise contender after ending last season on a high note, including a big win over Syracuse in the Boca Raton Bowl.
The AAC title game has been held at Tulane for the past two years. But after losing to SMU last season, Tulane’s coach Willie Fritz moved to the Big 12 with Houston, and the team’s top passer, Michael Pratt, went pro.
While Tulane is adjusting to these changes, Memphis is not.
Many key players are returning from last season’s successful 10-win team, which ended with a bowl win over Iowa State.
Coach Ryan Silverfield, now in his fifth season with Memphis, is excited about the returning players like senior quarterback Seth Henigan, linebacker Chandler Martin, and receivers Taylor and Koby Drake.
The Tigers are also getting extra support from local businesses, which is boosting their NIL resources and funding improvements to the historic Liberty Bowl stadium.
Silverfield is pleased with these developments but points out that Memphis hasn’t won the AAC since 2019, before he became head coach. He notes that he still has goals to achieve in the conference.
