Preseason AAC football power rankings

The American Athletic Conference was the only FBS league, other than the Big Ten, to boast five, 10-win teams last season. How many will it produce this season and who will rise to the top?

1. Memphis

Last season: 12-2, 7-1 AAC

The reigning AAC champions are under new leadership in head coach Ryan Silverfield. The Tigers return plenty of talent, including quarterback Brady White, a 4,000-yard passer last season. But they’ll have to figure out the running game after leading rusher Kenneth Gainwell said Sunday he’d opt out of the 2020 season.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 5 vs. Arkansas State

2. Cincinnati

Last season: 11-3, 7-1 AAC

The Bearcats made their debut in the preseason Associated Press Top 25 poll at No. 20. Cincinnati capped off last season with a 38-6 victory over Boston College in the Birmingham Bowl to reach 11 victories for the second consecutive year.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 19 vs. Austin Peay

3. UCF

The Knights also made the AP Top 25 preseason poll behind Cincinnati at No. 21. Central Florida wrapped up the season on a three-game win streak with a 48-25 victory over Marshall in the Gasparilla Bowl.

Last season: 10-3, 6-2 AAC

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 19 at Georgia Tech

4. SMU

Last season: 10-3, 6-2 AAC

SMU went 6-0 at home and with conference losses last against Memphis and Navy. They fell to FAU in the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl, 52-28.

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 5 at Texas State

5. Temple

The Owls reached bowl eligibility for the sixth consecutive year, falling to UNC, 55-13, in the Military Bowl.

Last season: 8-5, 5-3 AAC

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 26 at Navy

6. Navy

Navy ended the season on a high note with a 20-17 victory over Kansas State in the Liberty Bowl. The win capped off a four-game win streak for the Midshipmen.

Last season: 11-2, 7-1 AAC

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 5 vs. BYU

7. Tulane

The Green Wave defeated in Southern Miss 30-13 in the Armed Forces Bowl to surpass the .500 mark last season. Last season: 7-6, 3-5 AAC

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 12 at South Alabama

8. East Carolina

The Pirates return the tandem of quarterback Holton Ahlers and wide receiver C.J. Johnson. ECU’S lone AAC victory last season was against Uconn, which has left the conference. The team’s original opener against Marshall on Sept. 12 has been postponed.

Last season: 4-8, 1-7 AAC

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 26 vs. UCF

9. Houston

The Cougars closed out the season with a 56-41 loss to Navy. Quarterback Clayton Tune returns, along with receivers Keith Corbin and Stevenson

Last season: 4-8, 2-6 AAC

Season opener: Friday, Sept. 18 at Memphis

10. USF

New coach Je Scott is looking to turn things around for the Bulls this season. The Bulls ended the year with a fourgame losing streak.

Last season: 4-8, 2-6 AAC

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 12 vs. Citadel

11. Tulsa

The Golden Hurricane ended its season with a 49-24 victory over ECU, snapping a four-game losing streak. Last season: 4-8, 2-6 AAC

Season opener: Saturday, Sept. 12 at Oklahoma State

JOE RONDONE/THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL Memphis quarterback Brady White, right, celebrates with Calvin Austin III in the endzone after the two combined for a touchdown against Tulane Oct. 19, 2019 at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.