2024 Preview of the Exciting AAC

The 2024 college football season is nearly here, and as the calendar turns to August, many pundits are putting out their predictions for the upcoming season.

This is part one of a two-part series previewing the American Athletic Conference. SMU won the conference last year, but they're off to the Atlantic Coast Conference, paving the way for a new face to take over.

Tulane Green Wave, Projection: 9-3 (7-1 in the AAC)

New head coach Jon Sumrall came over from Troy. In both of the two preceding seasons, he led the Trojans to Sun Belt Conference titles. 

The battle for the starting quarterback position has been a focal point this offseason, involving a competition between Oregon transfer Ty Thompson, returning backup Kai Horton and redshirt freshman Darian Mensah. No matter who earns the starting position, he should be in a prime position for success. Running back Makhi Hughes is projected to carry the bulk of the load for the Green Wave. 

Defensively, Tulane is only returning five starters. With former defensive coordinator Shiel Wood now at Houston, it will be challenging for the Green Wave to retain its defensive rankings from last year—No. 36 overall defense in the nation and No. 2 in the AAC. 

The schedule out the gate is tough against Kansas State at home and a road game against Oklahoma the following week. However, the Green Wave talent should provide for a “light” conference schedule. The game to look out for will be at the end of the year against Memphis at home. 

North Texas Mean Green, Projection: 6-6 (5-3)

Last year, North Texas lost four out of its eight one-possession games. It was a below-average season for the Mean Green, finishing 5-7 overall and 3-5 in conference. The hope is for better results this season under second-year head coach Eric Morris. Starting quarterback Chandler Morris looks to get his collegiate career back on track after suffering an injury last year in his sixth start. Playing in a potentially less competitive conference should benefit Morris, as Houston, Cincinnati and UCF departed for the Big 12 Conference and SMU is off to the ACC. However, dealing with an entirely new roster could prove challenging. The experience on the offensive line is deep, with four seniors and two returning starters in left guard Gabe Blair and center Jett Duncan.

The defense is returning five starters. Last year the Mearn Green defense ranked 131st in points allowed. These circumstances do not inspire confidence that North Texas will be stout defensively this year.

North Texas' schedule features back-to-back games against Memphis and Tulane. The rest of the schedule should be manageable for the Mean Green, but a road game in Week 11 against UTSA will be tough. 

Army Black Knights, Projection: 6-6 (4-4)

The previous two seasons for 10th-year head coach Jeff Monken have been a struggle, with a .500 record in both years. Army was headed in the wrong direction last year, starting 2-6, but finished with a four-game win streak to salvage the season and build momentum heading into this year, which will be their first season in the AAC. 

Bryson Daily will be the starting quarterback for the Black Knights offense which should be more potent than last year when they ranked No. 113 in scoring. Army is only bringing two returning offensive linemen back from last year, center Brady Small and right guard Lucas Scott. However, they will have three seniors starting up front—left tackle Boobie Law, left guard Bill Katigiannis and right tackle David Hoyt. 

The defense last year was the strength of the team. Army's opponents averaged only 21 points per game. With defensive coordinator Nate Woody back for his fifth season, the Black Knights should be stout on that side of the ball again. Standout senior defensive end Dre Miller was named to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list.

The Black Knights’ schedule features five games that should all result in wins: Lehigh, FAU, Rice, Temple and Tulsa. The rest of the contests could prove more challenging for Army. Will the Black Knights have momentum heading into the pivotal Army-Navy game?

Temple Owls, Projection: 1-11 (1-7)

It’s been rough to be a Temple Owl fan recently. There is no doubt about that. The last four seasons have involved below-average play. With just one conference win each season since 2020, Temple is heading into Stan Drayton’s third year at the helm. Drayton will likely be coaching for his job this year. However, the continuity and the talent may not be there for Temple. As noted by Lindy’s Sports, "We have 43 newcomers on this football team, and you are dealing with different personalities.”

Unfortunately for Temple fans, there seems to be little reason to believe the upcoming season will be successful. The Owls are projected to have eight underclassmen starting on offense and freshmen starting on defense. Only one defensive starter from last year's team is returning.

Junior quarterback Forrest Brock is the likely starting signal caller this season. He began his collegiate career at Santa Monica Community College and has only one FBS start under his belt.

Drayton could find himself on the hot seat soon. 

Navy Midshipmen, Projection: 5-7 (4-4) 

Last season was a year of change for Navy Football fans. Brian Newberry, the defensive coordinator for the Midshipmen from 2019 to 2022, took over after Ken Niumatalolo's long tenure at the helm in Annapolis, Md. After a 5-7 campaign in 2023, Navy supporters expect improvement this year.

The anticipation is that Blake Horvath will be starting under center for Navy. Horvath has limited playing experience but Newberry has enough belief in him to give him the starting nod. Protecting Horvath will be an experienced offensive line that's returning four out of the five starters. Last year, they blocked for the 17th-ranked rushing attack in college football and will have to repeat that success this year for the team to live up to expectations.

The Navy defense was strong last season, allowing an average of 22.4 points per game, ranking 39th in the country. With the defense returning seven of 11 starters for a unit that ranked 44th in total defense, there is ample reason to believe the Midshipmen will continue strong defensive play. Senior linebacker Colin Ramos was named to the Nagurski Award watch list.

Charlotte 49ers, Projection: 2-10 (0-8)

Success has been limited in the Charlotte 49ers football program since its revival in 2013. This year marks the 49ers' first season in the ACC and first season under the direction of coach Biff Poggi who was on the staff of Jim Harbaugh at Michigan.

In an interview with The Charlotte Post, Poggi said, "I think this year’s group has a different feel as far as the team nature of football." Poggie continued praising the team, stating, "The locker room is better this year. Last year we found that it wasn’t good to bring in 20 to 22 guys from the same High School."

Poggi also brought in 27 new players through the transfer portal, which he hopes will change the culture in the locker room this year.

The 49ers also have a new starting quarterback this season, with redshirt sophomore Max Brown taking over. Brown came over from Florida and has received significant praise from Poggi: “He is an unbelievable player, he’s very smart and has great leadership skills. Last year we didn’t have a leader, and he is our leader for sure.” 

The 49ers have a difficult schedule that ends with a six-game stretch featuring games against Navy, Memphis, Tulane, USF, FAU and UAB.  

East Carolina Pirates, Projection: 3-9 (2-8)

The 2023 East Carolina Pirates season was not good. Winning only two games all season and just one in conference play was a far cry from 2022 when they beat Coastal Carolina 53-29 in the Birmingham Bowl. Their 14th-place finish was their worst in the AAC since 2014. 

East Carolina’s offense needs to improve from its 17.3 points per game average. That paltry scoring average caused head coach Mike Houston to move on from his long-time offensive coordinator Donnie Kirkpatrick. The Pirates are installing a new offense under the direction of John David Baker, who served as the co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach at Ole Miss under Lane Kiffin. Maybe that high-flying offense can travel East to Greenville, N.C.

Missouri transfer Jake Garcia and Michigan State transfer Katin House have competed for the starting QB spot this spring. No starter has yet to be named, but Houston has praised both QBs: "Both are very talented, we’re very blessed to be having two quarterbacks like that." In the Pirates' spring game, the offense racked up 554 yards (401 passing and 153 rushing).

While the offense was lackluster last year, the defense was among the best in the conference. Yes. A team that only had two wins all year last year had a great year defensively. That strength will be tough to maintain with just four returning starters on defense.