This isn’t your dad’s American Conference (partially because it was called the AAC until recently).
The American Conference is arguably the most interesting non-Power 5 conference, with multiple teams ascending both surprisingly and rapidly over the last couple of years. The top four or five teams all have a legitimate shot at the American title and will all push for it while employing vastly different styles. This will definitely be a conference to watch this season, as the finish should be tight.
1. Navy Midshipmen
2024 Record: 10-3 (6-2)
2025 Projected Record: 10-2 (7-1)
The Navy Midshipmen blew people away in 2024, racking up 10 wins when most didn’t expect more than six or seven. The team has slowly changed its offensive approach, which led to Blake Horvath having an all-time option quarterback season.
The team is working with a mix of its most important players returning and a high rate of return across the starting lineup, which is why we’ve got Navy at the top. There is some change along the offensive line, and the Midshipmen’s defense will see some new faces in 2025, but their identity, coaching, and player leadership are sound. If they can remain a bruising running team with a viable passing offense, and if they continue to post a stellar turnover ratio, they have the makings of a title winner.
Horvath is the star, but keep your eyes on slotback Eli Heidenreich (1,115 rushing/receiving yards) and fullback Alex Tecza (10 total touchdowns) for big senior years.
Key Returning Players:
Blake Horvath (QB, SR), Eli Heidenreich (SB, SR), Alex Tecza (FB, SR), Landon Robinson (NT, SR), Jaxson Campbell (LB, SR), Luke Pirris (LB, SR)
Key Incoming Transfers: N/A
2. Tulane Green Wave
2024 Record: 9-5 (7-1)
2025 Projected Record: 9-3 (6-2)
Tulane has turned a corner as a consistent program over the last couple of years, and they’re looking to take that momentum and push up from #2 to #1 in the American.
This team saw some serious talent go out the door after 2024, but they were heavily involved in the transfer portal window, bringing in a ton of FBS-level talent. No position were they more active than at quarterback, where they brought in four transfers and a three-star recruit. While the position battle isn’t done, the expectation is that BYU transfer Jake Retzlaff will be the starter come Week 1.
The offense has some great additions, and there’s nothing to suggest this roster shakeup can’t be fruitful. FAU transfer Omari Hayes will no doubt be a main focal point of the passing game, and Jack Hollifield has All-American Conference potential at center. Meanwhile, the defense will need to prove it can keep up with the offense, which may be their biggest question mark right now.
Key Returning Players:
Arnold Barnes III (RB, JR), Ty Thompson (TE, RS SR), Sam Howard (LB, SR), Bailey Despanie (S, RS SR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
Jake Retzlaff (QB, RS SR), Kadin Semonza (QB, RS SO), Omari Hayes (WR, RS JR), Santana Hopper (DE, RS JR)
3. UTSA Road Runners
2024 Record: 7-6 (4-4)
2025 Projected Record: 8-4 (6-2)
This team is daunting, both in terms of experience and in terms of pure size.
The Road Runners are in one of the better spots among non-Power 5 teams, with a level of starting lineup return that’s hard to find. Bringing back Owen McCown, who had a strong passing year in 2024, definitely helps. Putting up over 3,400 yards through the air, McCown comes back to a familiar duo of pass catchers in WR Devin McCuin and TE Houston Thomas. He also has the benefit of a huge offensive line, so McCown has a chance to run the conference if he’s ready.
On defense, there is more turnover, but Owen Pewee is a strong CB/LB hybrid who can impact the game at every level. The pass rush will need to be revitalized after the losses of Jimmori Robinson and Brandon Brown. Hopefully sophomore Vic Shaw can take the next step. Senior Jon Jones doesn’t seem like the type to suddenly post big sack numbers. UTSA is poised to have the best offense in the league and we’ll see if that turns out to be enough.
Key Returning Players:
Owen McCown (QB, RS JR), Devin McCuin (WR, JR), Houston Thomas (TE, RS JR), Owen Pewee (CB/LB, RS JR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
Trevor Timmins (OG, RS SR), Cameron Blaylock (NT, RS SR), Shad Banks Jr. (LB, RS SR), Kaian Roberts-Day (DT, RS JR)
4. Memphis Tigers
2024 Record: 11-2 (6-2)
2025 Projected Record: 8-4 (5-3)
There is change, and then there’s whatever has happened in Memphis.
The Tigers had an amazing 2024, posting 11 wins and looking to have a bright future. Now… we’re not so sure. Memphis lost an outstanding number of players during the offseason and now walks out a starting lineup that’s almost entirely new.
Ryan Silverfield has done well to build this program, with a 2:1 win-loss ratio in his five years at Memphis, but this level of change can lead to regression. Brendon Lewis is an intriguing quarterback, but he’s never really blown anyone away during his time at Colorado and Nevada. Greg Desrosiers had a high yards-per-rush last year, but on very limited carries. There are more questions on offense than some pundits seem to think.
The defense is even more stripped down, with more mid-level transfer talent across the board but fewer high-potential replacements. The defense could be the downfall of a big 2025.
Key Returning Players:
Chris Adams (OT, RS SR), Greg Desrosiers Jr. (RB, RS SR), William Whitlow Jr. (DE, RS SR), Kourtlan Marsh (S, RS SR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
Brendon Lewis (QB, RS SR), Jadon Thompson (WR, RS SR), Omarion Cooper (S/CB, RS SR), Everett Roussaw Jr. (LB, JR)
5. Army Black Knights
2024 Record: 12-2 (8-0)
2025 Projected Record: 8-4 (6-3)
It’s easy to get Army and Navy confused (in football at least), with option-based offenses and a lack of transfer activity. The reality, though, is that Army is in a slightly different place as a program this year.
The Black Knights will have a new quarterback in Dewayne Coleman, and while that’s an adjustment for any program, it’s even tougher for an offense like this, one that’s based on a rudimentary option attack. Coleman was decent in limited action last year, but his play doesn’t quite meet the 12-2 mark of last season. Coleman will have Noah Short and a beefy, experienced line to help ease the transition.
Army’s defense is their more likely path to repeated success. The team has seen some turnover, but there’s been consistency on that side of the ball, and all of these players have come up in the Army defensive system. Ultimately, this is the team with the most questions among the top contenders, but there’s still a clear path to a winning year for the Black Knights.
Key Returning Players:
Dewayne Coleman (QB, SR), Noah Short (SB, SR), Brady Small (C, JR), Andon Thomas (LB, SR), Kalib Fortner (LB, SR), Justin Weaver (CB, SR)
Key Incoming Transfers: N/A
6. North Texas Mean Green
2024 Record: 6-7 (3-5)
2025 Projected Record: 7-5 (4-4)
The Mean Green haven’t been particularly mean over the past decade, and if they want to break into the top echelon of this conference, that will need to change.
They have an exciting offense with an intriguing quarterback situation. There’s currently no clear favorite to start between senior transfer Reese Poffenbarger and redshirt freshman Drew Mestemaker. Poffenbarger transferred with the hope of finding a starting role, but Mestemaker showed big-play potential in his First Responder Bowl appearance. Either quarterback will have a seasoned back in Makenzie McGill II, and with some legitimate weapons out wide, the offense has the makings of a productive unit.
The defense is another story. It was toothless last year, and they’ll rely heavily on transfers to turn that around. North Texas brings in a new coordinator and multiple projected starters from the portal at every level. Guys like Hayes and Armstead have a shot to make a big impact, but time will tell if this much personnel change will result in actual improvement.
Key Returning Players:
Drew Mestemaker (QB, RS FR), Gabe Blair (C, RS SR), Makenzie McGill II (RB, RS SO), Fatafehi Vailea II (DT, RS SR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
Reese Poffenbarger (QB, RS SR), Briceon Hayes (DE, RS SR), Trey Fields (LB, RS SR), Da’Veawn Armstead (CB, RS SR)
7. USF Bulls
2024 Record: 7-6 (4-4)
2025 Projected Record: 6-6 (5-3)
The Mean Green have an intriguing quarterback situation. The Bulls have an… awkward one.
USF lost quarterback Byrum Brown to a season-ending injury last year but still performed admirably with backup sophomore Bryce Archie. Now, Archie is a junior, Brown is back from injury (though how healthy he is remains unclear), and the Bulls need to decide who leads the team.
Outside of the quarterback carousel, the offense shapes up mostly with homegrown talent, though the backfield will likely be led by transfer running back Cartevious Norton. There’s a good chance USF will lean on the run game, so the quarterback situation might not resolve quickly.
The defense is stacked with graduate players, most of whom are familiar with the system. Neither side of the ball is particularly scary, but both show potential.
Key Returning Players:
Byrum Brown (QB, RS JR), Bryce Archie (QB, RS JR), Mac Harris (LB, GR), De’Shawn Rucker (CB, RS SR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
Cartevious Norton (RB, SR), Chas Nimrod (WR, RS JR), Devin Lee (DT, GR), Josh Celiscar (DT, GR)
8. East Carolina Pirates
2024 Record: 8-5 (5-3)
2025 Projected Record: 6-6 (4-4)
East Carolina is a team in transition, despite returning talent at top positions. Quarterback Katin Houser is a firecracker waiting to go off, and bringing back wide receiver Anthony Smith gives him a reliable deep threat. The running back situation is a bit more uncertain, with London Montgomery stepping in as the presumptive starter after limited touches last year.
There will be a lot of new faces along the offensive line and across the defense. Defensive end J.D. Lampley is arguably their best returning defender, though even he had minimal impact off the edge. The Pirates will try to put together a strong year, but this feels more like a bridge season ahead of a bigger push in 2026.
Key Returning Players:
Katin Houser (QB, RS JR), Anthony Smith (WR, GR), J.D. Lampley (DE, SR), Ryheem Craigh (LB, RS SR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
Kyle Long (OG, RS SR), Jaquaize Pettaway (WR, JR), Teagan Wilk (S, GR), Jonathan Akins (CB, RS SO)
9. UAB Blazers
2024 Record: 3-9 (2-6)
2025 Projected Record: 5-7 (3-5)
While this conference is full of potential competitors, this is where the drop-off begins.
The UAB Blazers, more than anything, hired the wrong coach. Trent Dilfer has been a lame duck through two seasons, winning just seven games and struggling to communicate effectively both on the field and off it.
UAB brought in several transfers in an attempt to resuscitate the program, along with a new defensive coordinator. They return quarterback Jalen Kitna, which is a plus, but their transfer pool is mid-level at best, and Dilfer’s issues have made it difficult to recruit. Keep an eye on wide receiver Kaleb Brown and defensive end Jamichael Rogers if you’re looking for diamonds in the rough, but this season is likely to end with a coaching change.
Key Returning Players:
Jalen Kitna (QB, RS SR), Corri Milliner (WR, RS SO), Sirad Bryant (S, RS SR), JonDarius Morgan (OG, RS SR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
Kaleb Brown (WR, RS JR), Jevon Jackson (RB, RS SR), Amorie Morrison (DE, RS SR), Jamichael Rogers (DE, RS SR)
10. Tulsa Golden Hurricanes
2024 Record: 3-9
2025 Projected Record: 4-8 (3-5)
Now we look at the slew of teams with first-year coaches and a ton of work to do, starting with Tulsa.
The Golden Hurricanes have the most promise among the bottom-tier teams in the conference, thanks to one of the most intriguing coaching hires. Tre Lamb impressed during his time in the FCS, and as a young coach with a lot to prove, he’ll be looking to make a quick impact.
Sophomore returnee Kirk Francis is the likely starting quarterback. While he was inconsistent last year, he showed flashes of playmaking. Some key transfers should help the running game and a struggling defense.
Lamb probably won’t take Tulsa to the top in year one, but if he can establish a cohesive scheme and promote player development, they could start to build something sustainable.
Key Returning Players:
Kirk Francis (QB, RS SO), Ender Aguilar (OG, RS SR), Chris Thompson Jr. (LB, GR), Zion Steptoe (WR, RS JR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
Ajay Allen (RB, RS JR), Zion Booker (WR, JR), Byron Turner Jr. (DE, RS SR), Ray Coney (LB, JR)
11. FAU Owls
2024 Record: 3-9 (1-7)
2025 Projected Record: 3-9 (2-6)
Like Tulsa, FAU enters 2025 with a young new head coach but seemingly less to work with. At 33 years old, head coach Zach Kittley is aiming to completely reshape an underperforming and mismanaged roster.
The problem is that outside of a couple of decent portal grabs, such as quarterback Caden Veltkamp and wide receiver Easton Messer, the offense lacks weapons. Sophomore running back Gemari Sands posted 3.8 yards per carry on limited touches and now steps in as the likely starter. If Veltkamp struggles out of the gate, this offense will have problems.
The defense is made up almost entirely of transfers. Most of them are gambles, so Kittley will need to get up to speed with his roster quickly or risk things falling apart fast.
Key Returning Players:
Scarlee Jean (OT, RS SR), Wendol Philord (S, GR), Gemari Sands (RB, RS SO), Jabari Smith (WR, RS SO)
Key Incoming Transfers:
Caden Veltkamp (QB, RS JR), Easton Messer (WR, RS JR), Tyler Stolsky (LB, RS JR), Dillion Williams (S, RS SR)
12. Rice Owls
2024 Record: 4-8 (3-5)
2025 Projected Record: 3-9 (2-6)
It’s hard to see how Scott Abell was the right hire for Rice. No disrespect to Abell, who brings an innovative offensive mind, but his spread option schemes don’t match the current roster, and Rice didn’t do much in the transfer market to fix that.
None of the current quarterback contenders are ideal fits for an option-based system, and while running backs tend to produce in these setups, the read-heavy approach likely falls to Devillier or Padgett, neither of whom inspire much confidence. The defense has been almost entirely turned over, so there’s little to evaluate there.
Rice is likely to lose far more than it wins this year. This feels like a long-term rebuild around a mismatched scheme.
Key Returning Players:
Drew Devillier (QB, RS FR), Quinton Jackson (RB, RS JR), Michael Daley (DE, RS JR), Ty Morris (LB, JR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
Aaron Turner (WR, RS SR), Sean Sullivan (OT, RS SR), Jerrick Harper (CB, JR), Dillan Botts (DT, JR)
13. Temple Owls
2024 Record: 3-9 (2-6)
2025 Projected Record: 3-9 (2-6)
Something about this conference and the Owls… just not doing well.
While other struggling teams went with young up-and-coming coaches, Temple went the opposite direction. Sixty-five-year-old K.C. Keller brings a reputation for success at the FCS level, and it looks like Temple is hoping to stabilize the program before finding a long-term leader.
There’s a quarterback battle, with Evan Simon trying to fend off multiple transfers. Unfortunately, the surrounding skill talent is lacking, and a weak offensive line won’t help the evaluation process. The defense is a mix of small-school transfers and mid-level holdovers.
Key Returning Players:
Evan Simon (QB, RS SR), Daniel Evert (TE, SO), Ben Osueke (CB, RS SR), Sekou Kromah (DT, RS SR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
Jay Ducker (RB, RS SR), Jaylen Castleberry (CB, RS SR), Ty Davis (LB, RS SR), Charles Calhoun (DE, RS SR)
14. Charlotte 49ers
2024 Record: 5-7 (4-4)
2025 Projected Record: 3-9 (1-7)
This 49ers team is likely to struggle in the short term but could find success down the road.
Tim Albin found success building up the Ohio program and now seems ready to do the same at Charlotte. Right now, the roster is full of transfers and more questions than answers. Don’t expect much in 2025, but this could be a team to watch by 2026 or 2027.
Key Returning Players:
Henry Rutledge (RB, RS SR), Jonny King (C, RS SR), Sean Brown (WR, GR), Treyveon McGee (S, GR)
Key Incoming Transfers:
Grayson Loftis (QB, RS SO), Javen Nichols (WR, RS JR), Cheick Kaba (DE, RS SR), Shay Taylor (LB, RS SR)
Championship Game Prediction:
Navy Midshipmen defeat Tulane Green Wave
Games to Circle
Navy at Notre Dame (Nov. 8): Navy could be rolling in conference play by this point. Facing a top-five opponent like Notre Dame will be a true measuring stick. Horvath under the lights is must-see.
Tulane at Ole Miss (Sept. 20): Tulane is good enough to win this game, and Ole Miss is volatile enough to lose it. A win here could put Tulane on the national radar early.
Navy and Army vs. Air Force (Oct. 4 and Nov. 1): The service academy matchups are always entertaining. These games carry an added edge and extra meaning every year.
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