2024 AAC Season Preview: American Athletic Conference Predictions and Betting Picks
The American Athletic Conference will kick off their season on Week 1 for another exciting year in the conference. Can anyone stop Memphis at the top of the AAC? Matt McCuen brings us his AAC Season preview and predictions for 2024.
Matt McCuen - August 29, 2024, 3:00 PM EDT
10 min2024 AAC Season Preview: American Athletic Conference Predictions and Betting Picks
It is time to meet the American Athletic Conference.
There is a belief within this conference that one of these teams could push for the number twelve seed in the college football playoffs.
It is time to meet all the teams.
2024 AAC Season Predictions
1. Memphis Tigers
- 2023 Record: 10-3
- Key Additions: Elijah Herring (LB), Mario Anderson (RB), Javante Mackey (LB), Tahj Ra-El (S), Kobee Minor (S)
- Key Losses: Blake Watson (RB), Jaylon Allen (LB), Joe Scates (WR)
- AAC Title Odds: +230
- Favorite Futures Bet: Memphis Under 9.5 Wins -210
Memphis returned eleven starters from their 2023 team, which produced ten wins.
Signal caller Seth Henigan returns under center for the Tigers.
Henigan was one of the best quarterbacks in the conference a season ago, throwing 32 touchdowns and 3,883 yards.
His top target for Roc Taylor returns to the Tigers offense.
Memphis struggled on defense a year ago, allowing 33.1 points per game.
Pick: Memphis Under 9.5 wins -210 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
While the Tigers will be in the mix to win the AAC, it won't be easy to get to 10 wins.
The main reason Memphis will not reach ten wins is their defense.
As mentioned, this defense struggled last year, and they did not do enough in the portal to improve.
2. Tulane Green Wave
- 2023 Record: 10-3
- Key Additions: Mario Williams (WR), Terell Allen (DL), Ty Thompson (QB), Caleb Ransaw (CB), Shazz Preston (WR)
- Key Losses: Michael Pratt (QB), Jha, Quan Jackson (WR)
- AAC Title Odds: +310
- Favorite Futures Bet: Tulane Over 7.5 wins -135
Head coach Jon Sumrall will begin his first season at the helm for the Green Wave.
Sumrall most recently coached Troy, leading the team to a record of 23-4 over the past two seasons.
Oregon transfer Ty Thompson is expected to be under center in week one.
Mahki Hughes returns to the Green Wave offense. Hughes is one of the most talented playmakers in the AAC.
Tulane had one of the top defensive units in the conference a season ago.
The Green Wave are expected to rank at the top of the conference again this season.
Pick: Tulane Over 7.5 wins -135 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
This is one of my favorite future plays on the board.
The Green Wave is my favorite future bet to win the conference.
Tulane brings back a top-tier defense paired with an offensive unit filled with potential.
In a top-heavy conference, reaching eight wins will be no problem.
3. UTSA Road Runners
- 2023 Record: 10-3
- Key Additions: Denver Harris (CB), Johnny Bowens III (DT), Kendrick Blackshire (LB), Kamar Missouri (CB), CJ James (IOL)
- Key Losses: Frank Harris (QB), Trey Moore (EDGE), Kam Alexander (CB)
- AAC Title Odds: +450
- Favorite Futures Bet: UTSA Over 8 wins -135
Jeff Taylor's squad is one of the favorites to win the conference despite some roster turnover.
Frank Harris is gone as the starting quarterback of the Road Runners.
The son of former NFL Veteran Josh McCown, Luke McCown, is set to take over this UTSA offense.
All conference running back Kevorian Barnes reruns to the Road Runners.
Six defensive starters return to one of the best defenses in the conference.
Pick: UTSA Over 8 Wins -130 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Despite losing Harris, this Road Runners team remains one of the best in the conference.
As mentioned, this conference is top-heavy.
UTSA will dominate most of its conference games and should compete well outside the conference.
The Road Runners' defense makes them a threat to win the conference and record nine wins this season.
4. South Florida Bulls
- 2023 Record: 7-6
- Key Additions: Abur-Rahmaan Yaseen (WR), Ta'ron Keith (RB), De'Shawn Rucker (CB), Kaujan Banks (CB)
- Key Losses: Gerry Bohanon (QB), Will Jones II (S), Lloyd Summerall (EDGE), Khafre Brown (WR), Donovan Jennings (OT), Bayron Matos (OT)
- AAC Title Odds: +600
- Favorite Futures Bet: South Florida Over 7 wins -110
South Florida is coming off an encouraging 7-6 season in 2023.
Just the season prior, the Bulls produced a record of 1-11.
No team in college football enjoyed a bigger improvement.
The question becomes, can the Bulls maintain the same success this season?
Signal caller Byrum Brown is the top quarterback in the conference.
His favorite target, Sean Atkins, returns to the Bulls offense.
The issue with the Bulls is their defense, which allowed 39.5 points per game in AAC play a year ago.
Pick: South Florida Over 7 wins -130 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Brown will take this offense to a new level this season.
We saw how dominant Brown was a season ago, and with another year under his belt, the sky is the limit for the Bulls' offense.
South Florida improved their defense in the offseason.
If the Bulls' defense is average or better this year, they will compete for the conference title.
5. Rice Owls
- 2023 Record: 6-7
- Key Additions: Chad Linberg (OT), Charles Looes (DL), EJ Warner (QB), Spencer Casell (OT), Michael Daley (LB)
- Key Losses: Luke McCaffery (WR)
- AAC Title Odds: +1400
- Favorite Futures Bet: Rice Over 6.5 Wins -135
Rice enters the 2022 season looking to build on a strong 2023 campaign.
The Owls earned six wins a year ago and a trip to a bowl game.
Head coach Mike Bloomgren has the Owls program on the right track.
The son of Hall of Famer Kurt Warner, EJ Warner takes over the Rice offense.
Running back Dean Conners returns for the Owls. Conners will be one of the best backs in the conference.
Rice returns eight starters on defense.
The defensive unit was Rice's strength a season ago and should once again be an above-average unit.
Pick: Rice Over 6.5 wins -135 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
I will ride with the Owls team total over this season.
Rice will be a top-five defense in the AAC this season.
Warner will lead the Owls' offense to take a step forward. They have enough talent to be a top-three offensive unit in the conference.
This total is too low for Rice, and we will take advantage of this number.
6. East Carolina Pirates
- 2023 Record: 2-10
- Key Additions: Kaitin Houser (QB), Casey Kelly (TE), London Montgomery (RB)
- Key Losses: Antione Jackson (CB), Shane Calhoun (TE), O'Mega Blake (WR)
- AAC Title Odds: +1800
- Favorite Futures Bet: East Carolina Under 6.5 Wins -110
2023 was a disaster for the Pirates.
East Carolina produced a record of 2-10.
That was the worst record under head coach Mike Houston.
David Baker will take over the play-calling duties for East Carolina.
Transfers Jake Garcia and Katin Houser will battle out of the quarterback position.
Wide receiver Chase Sowell is expected to be one of the best in the conference.
One positive for the Pirates a year ago was their defense, which allowed 22.4 points per game in 2023.
Pick: East Carolina Under 6.5 Wins -110 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
While the Pirates should be above average on defense, their offense remains highly questionable.
East Carolina will be one of the worst offensive teams in the conference.
Neither one of the quarterbacks they added in the portal will take them to the next level on offense.
I believe the Pirates are the most overrated team in the AAC.
7. Army Black Knights
- 2023 Record: 6-6
- Key Additions: N/A
- Key Losses: Garrett McGrif (S), Isiah Alston (WR), Tanoai Letuli (LB)
- AAC Title Odds: +2200
- Favorite Futures Bet: Army Team Total Under 6 wins -120
2024 will be the first year in the AAC for the Black Knights.
Army will bring their military style offense into the conference.
If you are unfamiliar with Army football, prepare for the triple option.
Head coach Jeff Monken began throwing the ball more in 2023 than we have seen in years past.
Army closed the season strong, winning their final four games in 2023 to earn bowl eligibility.
Nate Woody leads a strong Army defensive unit.
The Black Knights are expected to have one of the best defenses in the conference.
Pick: Army Team Total Under 6 wins -120 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
While Army has talent on both sides of the ball it will take them time to adjust in the AAC.
When Army runs into high-powered offenses, they will struggle to keep pace.
The Black Knights's style of play forces me to play the team total under on wins.
8. North Texas Mean Green
- 2023 Record: 5-7
- Key Additions: Isheem Young (S), BJ Allen Jr (S), Chandler Morris (QB), Dalton Carnes (WR), Jayden Hill (CB)
- Key Losses: Kaylon Horton (WR),
- AAC Title Odds: +2000
- Favorite Futures Bet: North Texas Under 5.5 Wins +135
Head coach Eric Morris will begin his second season at the helm for the Mean Green.
North Texas showed signs of improvement as the season went on.
The Mean Green added former TCU signal-caller Chandler Morris to take over the offense.
Wide receiver Damon Ward will be the top option for Morris in the passing game.
North Texas will need to improve its defense if it wants to make a splash in the conference this season.
The Mean Green defense allowed 37.1 points per game a year ago.
Pick: North Texas Under Wins 5.5 Wins +135 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
The defense will be an issue once again for the Mean Green this season.
If North Texas's defense does not improve, it will struggle to win the conference.
While the Mean Greens offense can keep them competitive in games, they will need have trouble closing and winning games with consistency due to their defensive woes.
9. Florida Atlantic Owls
- 2023 Record: 4-8
- Key Additions: Phillip Dunnam (S), Cam Francher (QB), Eric Brantley Jr (Edge), Marlyn Johnson (WR)
- Key Losses: LaJohntay Webster (WR), Tony Johnson (WR), Dorian Hinton (ILB). Darius McCeldon (S)
- AAC Title Odds: +2500
- Favorite Futures Bet: Florida Atlantic Over 6.5 Wins -135
FAU begins the season looking to improve on a 4-8 campaign in 2022.
Head coach Tom Herman remains confident in this program.
The Owls offense was sluggish a year ago averaging 23.8 points per game.
Marshall transfer Cam Fancher is expected to take over this Owls offense.
FAU was active in the transfer portal, adding a lot of talent for the wide receiver position.
The Owl's defense was above average last year, holding teams to 24.8 points per game.
Pick: FAU Over 6.5 wins -110 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
FAU will be much improved on offense.
I love the value on the Owls in the betting market this season.
Fancher is a major upgrade at the quarterback position.
The Owls have surrendered Fancher with loads of talent at the skill positions.
FAU will take another step forward on defense this season and rank toward the top of the conference.
10. Navy Midshipmen
- 2023 Record: 5-7
- Key Additions: N/A
- Key Losses: Elias Larry (CB), Jacob Busic (EDGE), Tyler Baker (QB)
- AAC Title Odds: +1400
- Favorite Futures Bet: Navy Team Total Under 5.5 Wins -150
Navy will attempt to build on a 5-7 season.
Brian Newberry begins year two in charge of the Midshipmen program.
The Midshipmen missed bowl eligibility by just one game in 2023.
Navy really struggled on offense a season ago.
This Midshipmen squad ranked 12th in the conference in points per game.
Fullback Alex Tecza will be the Navy's top returning offensive player. Tezca racked up 758 yards in 2023.
Pick: Navy Team Total Under 5.5 -160 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
The Midshipmen will once again struggle to move the football.
There is nothing that suggests Navy getting any better on offense than what we saw last season.
Navy's style of play will not match up well in the conference this season.
The under is a great play on the Midshipmen.
11. UAB Blazers
- 2023 Record: 4-8
- Key Additions: Troy Jakubec (S), Armoni Goodwin (RB), Jack Nickel (TE), OC Brothers (LB)
- Key Losses: Tejhaun Palmer
- AAC Title Odds: +3000
- Favorite Futures Bet: UAB
Trent Dilfer starts his second as the head coach of the Blazers.
Dilfer's squad experienced growing pains in year one with a 4-8 record.
Quarterback Jacob Zeno will return as the starting quarterback for the Blazers.
Zeno will look to build on a productive 2023 season.
The Blazers offensive line will return three starters.
Similar to other teams in the AAC, defense was an issue for UAB in 2023.
The Blazers allowed 36.9 points per game.
Pick: UAB Team Total Under 6.5 Wins -150 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
UAB needed to do more in the portal to improve its roster.
While the Blazers' offense is average, their defense is the worst in the conference.
UAB will struggle to win in the conference, making the under a strong play.
12. Tulsa Golden Hurricanes
- 2023 Record: 4-8
- Key Additions: Jeremiah Ballard (WR), Gavin Potter (LB), Jacob Waller (IOL), Ronald Lewis (CB)
- Key Losses: Nick Rempert (WR), Devan Williams (WR), Marquis Shoulders (WR)
- AAC Title Odds: +5000
- Favorite Futures Bet: Tulsa Over 4.5 Wins -135
Head Coach Kevin Wilson begins year two at the helm for the Cowboys.
Tulsa produced a 4-8 season ago and will attempt to build on that mark this year.
Signal caller Kirk Francis will be back under center for the Cowboys.
The Cowboys feel like the strength of their team will be their offense.
Tulsa struggled on defense a year ago, allowing opponents 33.8 points per game.
Pick: Tulsa Over 4.5 Wins -135 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
The number is too low for the Golden Hurricanes.
Tulsa will be improved on defense as they added talent in the portal and bring another year of experience.
The Golden Hurricanes took a step forward on offense in 2023; Tulsa is one of the more underrated offenses in the conference.
13. Charlotte 49ers
- 2023 Record: 3-9
- Key Additions: Adam Hopkins (CB). Jonny Hassard (IOL), Trevon Booker (CB), Max Brown (QB)
- Key Losses: Kameron Howard (S), Jackson Hersta (WR), Ja'Khi Green (OT)
- AAC Title Odds: +8000
- Favorite Futures Bet: Charlotte Over 3.5 Wins -150
Biff Pogi will attempt to bounce back after a rough year in 2023.
The 49ers were active in the portal adding talent on both sides of the football.
Florida transfer Max Brown is set to take over this offense in 2024.
Charlotte struggled on offense last season, averaging 17.5 points per game.
Pick: Charlotte Over 3.5 Wins -145 Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
While there are questions about the 49ers offense, they should be much improved.
As mentioned Charlotte got much better in the portal.
Brown can elevate this offense and help get them to four wins.
14. Temple Owls
- 2023 Record: 3-9
- Key Additions: Torey Richardson (CB), Antwain Littleton (RB) T.K Wright (LB), Evan Simon (QB)
- Key Losses: EJ Warner (QB), Victor Stoffel (OT)
- AAC Title Odds: +35000
- Favorite Futures Bet: Temple Under 2.5 Wins -160
Temple is expected to struggle this season.
The Owls have won three games in back-to-back years.
Quarterback Evan Simon is expected to take over this Owls offense.
Pick: Temple Under 2.5 Wins Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Temple got even worse in the off-season.
The Owls will struggle to win a game in the conference this year.
Temple was terrible on defense in 2023, allowing 35.7 points per game.
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