The American Conference teams play four non-conference games and eight conference games, and while some league games have been played, a steady dose of them begins this week.
With a number of teams having completed their non-conference games, this is a good time to assess the contenders, something there is no shortage of. Here is a list of contenders in the American, sorted by how they appear in the HERO Sports Group of Five Top 25 Media Poll this week.
Top College Football Teams In The American, Ranked
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Memphis | 4-0 |
| 2 | USF | 3-1 |
| 3 | Tulane | 3-1 |
| 4 | Navy | 3-0 |
| 5 | North Texas | 4-0 |
| 6 | UTSA | 2-2 |
| 7 | Rice | 3-1 |
| 8 | East Carolina | 2-2 |
| 9 | Army | 1-2 |
| 10 | Tulsa | 2-2 |
American Conference Contenders
1. Memphis (4-0, 0-0 American Conference)
Season Highlights: Last week, overcoming an 18-point deficit to win 32-31 at home against Arkansas. There was also a 28-7 win over an underrated Troy team.
Key American Games: Oct. 25 vs. South Florida; Nov. 7 vs. Tulane; Nov. 27 vs. Navy
Fast Fact: Memphis has the nation’s current longest win streak among FBS teams, eight games.
Outlook: The Tigers are positioned to seriously contend, especially since they will be facing their top three opponents at home.
2. South Florida (3-1, 0-0)
Season Highlights: Consecutive wins over ranked teams, 34-7 at home against Boise State and 18-16 at Florida.
Key American Games: Oct. 10 at North Texas; Oct. 25 at Memphis; Nov. 15 at Navy
Fast Fact: USF tied an American Conference record with its 35-point third quarter in last week’s 63-14 win over South Carolina State.
Outlook: The toughest three games are on the road, but the Bulls will contend as long as quarterback Byrum Brown (983 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions passing; 120 yards and two TDs rushing) continues his stellar play.
3. Tulane (3-1, 0-0)
Season Highlights: Three solid non-conference wins – Northwestern and Duke at home and 33-31 at South Alabama.
Key American Games: Oct. 18 vs. Army (in a rematch of last year’s championship game); Nov. 7 at Memphis
Fast Fact: Quarterback Jake Retzlaff has completed 50.4% of his passes for 648 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Outlook: Before last week’s 45-10 loss at Ole Miss, the Green Wave would have been the hands-down favorite. Even though Ole Miss is ranked No. 13 in the Associated Press Top 25, this was never a game and is considered a bad loss. Retzlaff will have to bounce back from a 5-of-17 passing effort for 56 yards and no touchdowns with no interceptions. He started the game 0-for-9. Still, the Green Wave will be a major contender, especially since the schedule isn’t as challenging as the other top teams.
4. Navy (3-0, 2-0)
Season Highlights: A 42-23 American Conference win at Tulsa.
Key American Games: Nov. 1 at North Texas; Nov. 15 vs. South Florida; Nov. 27 at Memphis
Fast Fact: Navy leads the nation in rushing, averaging 375.3 yards per game.
Outlook: Remember, the Army game doesn’t count as a conference game since it is played after the championship. How the Midshipmen are able to withstand a difficult late-season schedule will determine their fate. In addition to the above-mentioned games, they also visit Notre Dame on Nov. 8.
5. North Texas (4-0, 1-0)
Season Highlights: A 59-10 rout at home against Washington State, plus last week’s 45-38 overtime American Conference win at defending champion Army.
Key American Games: Oct. 10 vs. South Florida; Nov. 1 vs. Navy
Fast Fact: Running back Caleb Hawkins tied a program single-game record with four rushing touchdowns last week at Army.
Outlook: The two toughest games are at home. The Mean Green lead the American in scoring (47 PPG) and are fourth in scoring defense (19.5 PPG allowed). If they can come close to these stats, then they should be a factor in the race.
Uncertainty Tier In The American Conference
6. UTSA (2-2, 0-0)
Season Highlights: Last week’s 17-16 win at Colorado State.
Key American Games: Oct. 18 at North Texas; Oct. 30 vs. Tulane; Nov. 6 at South Florida
Fast Fact: Running back Robert Henry Jr. has rushed for 624 yards and seven touchdowns.
Outlook: The losses have been 42-24 at Texas A&M and 43-36 to Texas State. At this point, we don’t really know about UTSA, but it’s too early to totally count the Roadrunners out.
7. Rice (3-1, 1-0)
Season Highlights: Last week’s 28-17 win at Charlotte.
Key American Games: Sept. 27 at Navy; Oct. 31 vs. Memphis; Nov. 22 vs. North Texas; Nov. 29 at South Florida
Fast Fact: Rice is 3-1 through four games for the first time since 2001.
Outlook: The Owls would certainly jump to contender status with a win this week at Navy, but for now, earning a bowl bid would be a more realistic goal.
8. East Carolina (2-2, 0-0)
Season Highlights: A 38-0 win at Coastal Carolina.
Key American Games: Oct. 9 at Tulane; Nov. 15 vs. Memphis; Nov. 22 at UTSA
Outlook: The Pirates had a respectable 24-17 opening loss at NC State.
9. Army (1-2, 0-1)
Season highlights: A 24-21 win at Kansas State.
Key American Games: Oct. 18 at Tulane; Nov. 28 at UTSA
Outlook: Remember, the Navy game doesn’t count as an American Conference game. The schedule isn’t heavy with contenders, and Army played North Texas tough, but the Black Knights might have to run the table to be in contention.
Rest Of The American
Tulsa (2-2, 0-1)
The Golden Hurricane are coming off a 19-12 win at Oklahoma State, their first win against the Cowboys in Stillwater since 1951.
Temple (2-2, 0-0)
The losses were at home against Oklahoma, 42-3, and last week at Georgia Tech, 45-24. Quarterback Evan Simon has thrown 10 touchdown passes and no interceptions.
Charlotte (1-3, 0-1)
End of the season schedule is a killer – Nov. 22 at Georgia and Nov. 29 at Tulane.
Florida Atlantic (1-2, 0-0)
After a bye last week, the Owls open their American Conference season Saturday at home against Memphis.
UAB (2-2, 0-1)
In a 38-24 loss at Navy, the Blazers were tied 24-24 at halftime, but Navy added a touchdown in both the third and fourth quarters.
