In its first season as a member of the AAC, Army controlled the league and defeated Tulane in the conference title game, 35-14. It was the second season the AAC had 14 league members — except SMU was a member instead of Army in 2023.
Due in part to having the 14 members, the American was the only Group of Five conference that had three teams finish with double-digit victories — Army, Navy, and Memphis.
Whoever takes advantage of their schedule will likely be in contention for the Group of Five’s automatic bid to the College Football Playoff, and Tulane’s schedule may give it the best chance to do so.
Here are some other takeaways from the 2025 AAC schedule.
USF Tested Early In 2025
It’s hard to argue against the Bulls having the toughest schedule in the league. They start off with three brutal contests against Boise State, and then at Florida and Miami. Things don’t get much easier down the stretch when they play Navy, Memphis, and UTSA in a four-week stretch.
USF played Miami and Alabama last season, losing by a combined 92-31. The Bulls are also one of only three teams, along with Charlotte and Tulane, with two sets of back-to-back road games.
Tulane Can Make A Case For The CFP
Like I mentioned above, the Green Wave have a schedule that they can be rewarded for if they find a way to get a win over Duke and at least keep it close against Ole Miss.
The Green Wave also get Army at home on Oct. 18 in a rematch of last year’s AAC Championship. However, they do have to travel to face UTSA and Memphis in their following two games. This stretch could make or break Tulane’s season.
Army-Navy Game
This year’s annual contest will be played on Dec. 13, and there’s still the chance that it could be the second week in a row these teams play if the two meet the week prior in the AAC Championship. This is a very real possibility.
I think there’s a small chance Navy starts the season 8-0 and doesn’t get truly tested until its Week 11 matchup against Notre Dame.
Navy At Memphis On Thanksgiving
Speaking of Navy, the Midshipmen will visit Memphis on Thanksgiving during the final week of the regular season in what could be a contest that dictates who will be playing in the AAC Championship.
A North Texas Lookahead
The Mean Green are the only team in the American that doesn’t play a Power Four program. They do face Washington State, however. Still, I think UNT’s schedule is favorable, as it avoids Memphis and Tulane. There’s also a five-week stretch in the middle of the season where the Mean Green won’t have to travel.
Rice’s Six-Week Home Stand
Just like UNT, the Owls also have a long stretch where they won’t have to travel. As a matter of fact, the Owls will visit UTSA on Oct. 11 and won’t have another road game until the final week of the regular season when they visit USF on Nov. 29.
