The Formula
Cougars Den staff place votes from one through twelve on each member of the American conference. We then calculate the weighted average for each team according to each analysts rankings to determine each team's official ranking score. Each team will then be ranked according to their calculated score.
The Panel
Jefferson D. Powell - CougarsDen.com Publisher
Marcus Gutierrez - CougarsDen.com Analyst
Josh Griffin - CougarsDen.com Analyst
Ashton Washington - CougarsDen.com Analyst
1: UCF (6-0)
UCF has been one of the most dominant teams in the conference leaving little doubt in their week to week action. Last week they took care of a pretty decent Navy team 31-21. The Golden Knights appear to be set for a crash course in the AAC East with fellow Eastern foe USF in what should be a winner take all showdown for the Eastern divsion championship to close out the regular season. UCF gets a slight edge over the Bulls this week.
This Week: Vs. Austin Peay (No current line)
2: South Florida (7-0)
The Bulls were tested last week against Tulane before eventually grinding out a six point win on the road. Darius Tice and Quinton Flowers fueled the ground game with a combined 279 and two touchdowns. A closer game than what may have been expected likely had an impact in USF's fall to No. 2 this week.
This Week: Vs. Houston as a -11 Point Favorite
3: Memphis (6-1)
The Memphis Tigers overcame a 17-point halftime deficit to stun Houston on the road 42-38. Riley Ferguson has a monster second half finishing with 471 yards and one touchdown on 33-of-53 passing including a go-ahead touchdown to tight end Sean Dykes.
This Week: Vs. Tulane as a -10.5 Point Favorite
4: Navy (5-2)
The Midshipmen had their hands full this week with UCF. They played a competitive battle but the Golden Knights proved to be to tough as Navy dropped a 31-21 decision at home. They'll get a much needed bye week this week before resuming conference play on the road against Temple on 11/2.
This Week: Open
5: Houston (4-3)
The Cougars were in good shape heading into halftime against Memphis, but a 21-yard Riley Ferguson scoring strike with 1:28 left in the game would ultimately seal the Cougars fate on Thursday night. The fact that the loss came from the No.3 team in our conference power rankings likely spared the Cougars from a steep fall. They hold steady at No.5 this week.
This Week: @ USF as a +11 Point Underdog
6. SMU (5-2)
The Mustangs got back in the win column this week with a challenging road win at Cincinnati. They needed overtime to get it done as Ben Hicks went 26-of-37 for 295 yards and two touchdowns. They hold firm at No.6 this week.
This Week: Vs. Tulsa as a -9.5 Point Favorite
7: Tulane (3-4)
The Green Wave had a more than admirable showing giving USF just about everything they could handle. A narrow six point defeat to one of the best teams in the conference is nothing to shake their head at. Things won't get any easier this week with an impending matchup with one of the best offensive teams in the conference in Memphis.
This Week: @ Memphis as a +10.5 Point Underdog
8: UCONN (3-4)
The Huskies are riding a two game winning streak over Temple and most recently Tulsa. They beat the Golden Hurricane 20-14. Bryant Sherrifs passed for 372 yards and one touchdown on 23-of-29 passing in the win. They'll look to carry that momentum into a non-conference showdown with SEC foe Missouri this week.
This Week: Vs. Missouri as a +12.5 Point Underdog
9: Temple (3-5)
The Owls continue to struggle and are coming off of a narrow three point loss to Army. Frank Nutile completed 20-of-29 passing attempts for 290 yards and one touchdown. Raquell Armstead finished with 151 yards rushing and two touchdowns. They'll have an opportunity to recoup this week with a bye.
This Week: Open
10: Tulsa (2-6)
The Golden Hurricane appeared to have found new hope following a big win at home against Houston, but a week later the consistently inconsistent Tulsa squad dropped a decision to UCONN. Luke Skipper was 17-of-27 for 259 yards and one interception in his second start for Tulsa. The Golden Hurrican will head south this week in a matchup with our No. 6 team in SMU.
This Week: @ SMU as a +9.5 Underdog
11: ECU (2-6)
The Pirates snapped a four game losing streak with an impressive 33-17 win over BYU. Gardner Minshew completed 6-of-9 passing attempts for 121 yards and two touchdowns to help fuel ECU to victory.
This Week: Open
12: Cincinnati (2-6)
The Bearcats are likely better than this ranking but they just haven't been able to prove it and have faced consistent struggles. They erased an eight point deficit last week against SMU before letting the game slip away in overtime. Their two wins are against Austin Peay and Miami of Ohio. They'll get an open week this week to try and turn things around as they will now basically have to win out to have a shot at a bowl game.
This Week: Open
