I haven't posted this the last two weeks, but here's the latest AAC Power Poll.
First, my votes
1) UCF
2) Cincinnati
3) Temple
4) Houston
5) Tulane
6) SMU
7) Memphis
8) South Florida
9) East Carolina
10) Tulsa
11) Navy
12) UConn
Entering this week, SMU, Houston and Tulane are in a three-way tie in the West at 4-2, with Memphis one game back at 3-3. Houston and Tulane meet Thursday night, while SMU and Memphis play Friday.
On Saturday, unbeaten Central Florida and Cincinnati meet to determine the East winner.
Here is how the league stacks up, according to power rankings compiled by reporters from every conference school, heading into Week 12:
Record:9-0 (6-0 AAC)
Last week: defeated Navy, 35-24
This week: vs. Cincinnati
Trajectory: Steady. Quarterback McKenzie Milton was an efficient 17-of-21 for 200 yards and two touchdowns while former walk-on Greg McCrae rushed for a team-high 101 yards and a score as UCF extended its streak of 22 straight games with a win, the longest streak in the nation.
Did you know? McKenzie Milton’s 62 yards rushing against the Midshipmen helped him supplant former Knights great Daunte Culpepper as the school’s all-time leading rushing quarterback with 1,056 career yards.
- Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel
2) Cincinnati
Previous ranking: 2 | Points: 129
Record: 9-1 (5-1 AAC)
Last week: defeated USF, 35-23
This week: at UCF
Trajectory: Surging. RB Michael Warren II Warren set the single-season UC record for touchdowns (18), including four touchdowns in the win over USF. The Bearcats defense held USF rushers to 81 yards on 29 carries. UC carries a three-game win streak into its showdown at UCF this week.
Did you know? Warren broke the season TD record shared by former UC running backs DeMarco McCleskey (2002) and David Small (1993), who both scored 17 times in a season.
- Tom Groeschen, Cincinnati Enquirer
3) Temple
Previous ranking: 4 | Points: 112
Record: 6-4, (5-1 AAC)
Last week: defeated Houston, 59-49.
This week: vs. USF
Trajectory: Surging. The Owls are now bowl eligible and trail UCF by one game in the East standings. Ryquell Armstead was AAC offensive player of the week after rushing for 210 yards and six touchdowns on 30 carries against Houston. The Owls played without their best offensive lineman, center Matt Hennessy, who was out with injury.
Did you know? Temple is now bowl eligible for the fifth straight year, although the first year, 2014, the Owls went 6-6 but didn’t receiver a bowl bid.
--Marc Narducci, Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News
4) SMU
Previous ranking: 5 | Points: 92
Record: 5-5 (4-2 AAC)
Last week: defeated UConn, 62-50.
This week: vs. Memphis
Trajectory: Surging. After 0-3 start, SMU is at .500 for the first time this season and one win away from becoming bowl eligible in coach Sonny Dykes’ first season. The Mustangs are also in a three-way tie for first place in the AAC West with Houston and Tulane. The offense has produced 107 points and 1,008 yards during a two-game winning streak.
Did you know? In the last two games, wins over Houston and Connecticut, QB Ben Hicks has completed 65 percent of his passes for 594 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions.
--Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle
5) Houston
Previous ranking: 3 | Points: 89
Record: 7-3 (4-2 AAC)
Last week: lost to Temple, 59-49
This week: vs. Tulane (Thursday)
Trajectory: Skidding. A once two-game division lead has vanished, as the Cougars face a must-win against Tulane to stay in the AAC West race. Defensively, the Cougars are on pace for one of the worst seasons in program history, leaving open the possibility that a change could be coming at coordinator at the end of the season. No area has been hit harder by injuries than the defensive line, which has already lost Isaiah Chambers and Jerard Carter for the season, and faces the uncertainty whether All-America tackle Ed Oliver has played his final college game.
Did you know? With at least three games remaining,QB D’Eriq King has set the AAC single-season record for touchdowns responsible for with 48.
--Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle
6) USF
Previous ranking: 6 | Points: 73
Record:7-3 (3-3 AAC)
Last week: lost to Cincinnati, 35-23
This week: at Temple
Trajectory: Skidding. The Bulls, mired in their first three-game losing streak since 2015, head to frigid Philadelphia with an uncertain quarterback situation. Starter Blake Barnett (shoulder soreness) missed the Cincinnati game; whether he returns this week is anyone's guess. In his place, third-year sophomore Chris Oladokun (10-for-22, 165 yards, two TDs) and fourth-year junior Brett Kean (4-for-10, 67 yards, one TD) were steady if not spectacular.
Did you know? The loss at Cincy formally eliminated USF from East Division contention, marking the earliest they have been bounced from the race since 2014.
- Joey Knight, Tampa Bay Times
7) Tulane
Previous ranking: 7 | Points: 70
Record: 5-5 (4-2 AAC)
Last week: defeated East Carolina, 24-18
This week: at Houston (Thursday)
Trajectory: Surging. Tulane set up the biggest game for the program in 20 years, limiting ECU QB Holton Ahlers to 21 of 67 completions with an NCAA-record 20 pass break-ups (the stat started being kept in 2000). If it wins at defensively challenged Houston on Thursday and SMU loses to Memphis on Friday, Tulane will have sole possession of first place in the AAC West.
Did you know? The five teams that beat Tulane (Wake Forest, UAB, Ohio State, Cincinnati, SMU) have a composite record of 37-13.
--Guerry Smith, The New Orleans Advocate
8) Memphis
Previous ranking: 8 | Points: 61
Record: 6-4 (3-3 AAC)
Last week: defeated Tulsa, 47-21
This week: at SMU
Trajectory: Steady. Memphis’ defense shut out Tulsa in the first half and finished with season highs in tackles for loss (11) and sacks (five). Darrell Henderson added another strong running day (166 yards, 2 TDs) and the Tigers remain in the hunt for the AAC West title with two games left.
Did you know? John “Pop” Williams’ 72-yard punt return TD against Tulsa was Memphis’ first punt return TD since 2015.
--Evan Barnes, The Commercial Appeal
9) Navy
Previous ranking: 9 | Points: 39
Record: 2-8 (1-5 AAC)
Last week: lost to UCF, 35-24
This week: vs. Tulsa
Trajectory: Skidding. Navy now has its longest losing streak since 2002, a dismal year that concluded with a 2-10 record. There was a silver lining on Saturday as quarterback Zach Abey directed three touchdown drives in the second half with the triple-option looking the way it is supposed to for the first time all season. The Midshipmen hope to snap their skid when they host Tulsa on Senior Day at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Did you know? Navy has won 15 consecutive games on Senior Day. The Midshipmen have not sent the seniors out with a loss since 2002.
--Bill Wagner, Baltimore Sun Media Group
10) Tulsa
Previous ranking: 10 | Points: 36
Record: 2-8 (1-5 AAC)
Last week: lost to Memphis, 47-21
This week: at Navy
Trajectory: Skidding. After a potential breakthrough performance against UConn the previous week, the Hurricane took a giant step backward with Saturday's dismal defeat at Memphis. Tulsa was bad on both sides of the ball, recording a season-low 252 yards while allowing a season-high 499 yards.
Did you know? Tulsa has dropped 11 consecutive road games dating to the 2016 season.
--Kelly Hines, Tulsa World
11) East Carolina
Previous ranking: 11 | Points: 25
Record: 2-7 (0-6 AAC)
Last week: lost to Tulane, 24-18
This week: vs. Connecticut
Trajectory: Skidding. ECU’s latest loss was significant in that in knocked the Pirates out of bowl consideration and ensured a fourth straight losing season. Freshman quarterback Holton Ahlers continues to be a bright spot, but wins are lacking for the Pirates and third-year coach Scottie Montgomery.
Did you know? Ahlers has led the Pirates in rushing in seven straight games.
- Ronnie Woodward, Greenville (N.C.) Daily Reflector
12) Connecticut
Previous ranking: 12 | Points: 12
Record: 1-9 (0-6 AAC)
Last week: lost to SMU, 62-50
This week: at East Carolina
Trajectory: Steady. UConn's offense submitted maybe its best performance of the year against SMU, gaining 583 total yards, including 368 on the ground. Alas, the defense faltered for the Huskies again, leaving Randy Edsall's team only two more chances to pick up a second win.
Did you know? Quarterback David Pindell leads all FBS quarterbacks (and ranks ninth among all players) in rushing yards.
- Alex Putterman, Hartford Courant
First, my votes
1) UCF
2) Cincinnati
3) Temple
4) Houston
5) Tulane
6) SMU
7) Memphis
8) South Florida
9) East Carolina
10) Tulsa
11) Navy
12) UConn
Entering this week, SMU, Houston and Tulane are in a three-way tie in the West at 4-2, with Memphis one game back at 3-3. Houston and Tulane meet Thursday night, while SMU and Memphis play Friday.
On Saturday, unbeaten Central Florida and Cincinnati meet to determine the East winner.
Here is how the league stacks up, according to power rankings compiled by reporters from every conference school, heading into Week 12:
- UCF
Record:9-0 (6-0 AAC)
Last week: defeated Navy, 35-24
This week: vs. Cincinnati
Trajectory: Steady. Quarterback McKenzie Milton was an efficient 17-of-21 for 200 yards and two touchdowns while former walk-on Greg McCrae rushed for a team-high 101 yards and a score as UCF extended its streak of 22 straight games with a win, the longest streak in the nation.
Did you know? McKenzie Milton’s 62 yards rushing against the Midshipmen helped him supplant former Knights great Daunte Culpepper as the school’s all-time leading rushing quarterback with 1,056 career yards.
- Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel
2) Cincinnati
Previous ranking: 2 | Points: 129
Record: 9-1 (5-1 AAC)
Last week: defeated USF, 35-23
This week: at UCF
Trajectory: Surging. RB Michael Warren II Warren set the single-season UC record for touchdowns (18), including four touchdowns in the win over USF. The Bearcats defense held USF rushers to 81 yards on 29 carries. UC carries a three-game win streak into its showdown at UCF this week.
Did you know? Warren broke the season TD record shared by former UC running backs DeMarco McCleskey (2002) and David Small (1993), who both scored 17 times in a season.
- Tom Groeschen, Cincinnati Enquirer
3) Temple
Previous ranking: 4 | Points: 112
Record: 6-4, (5-1 AAC)
Last week: defeated Houston, 59-49.
This week: vs. USF
Trajectory: Surging. The Owls are now bowl eligible and trail UCF by one game in the East standings. Ryquell Armstead was AAC offensive player of the week after rushing for 210 yards and six touchdowns on 30 carries against Houston. The Owls played without their best offensive lineman, center Matt Hennessy, who was out with injury.
Did you know? Temple is now bowl eligible for the fifth straight year, although the first year, 2014, the Owls went 6-6 but didn’t receiver a bowl bid.
--Marc Narducci, Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News
4) SMU
Previous ranking: 5 | Points: 92
Record: 5-5 (4-2 AAC)
Last week: defeated UConn, 62-50.
This week: vs. Memphis
Trajectory: Surging. After 0-3 start, SMU is at .500 for the first time this season and one win away from becoming bowl eligible in coach Sonny Dykes’ first season. The Mustangs are also in a three-way tie for first place in the AAC West with Houston and Tulane. The offense has produced 107 points and 1,008 yards during a two-game winning streak.
Did you know? In the last two games, wins over Houston and Connecticut, QB Ben Hicks has completed 65 percent of his passes for 594 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions.
--Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle
5) Houston
Previous ranking: 3 | Points: 89
Record: 7-3 (4-2 AAC)
Last week: lost to Temple, 59-49
This week: vs. Tulane (Thursday)
Trajectory: Skidding. A once two-game division lead has vanished, as the Cougars face a must-win against Tulane to stay in the AAC West race. Defensively, the Cougars are on pace for one of the worst seasons in program history, leaving open the possibility that a change could be coming at coordinator at the end of the season. No area has been hit harder by injuries than the defensive line, which has already lost Isaiah Chambers and Jerard Carter for the season, and faces the uncertainty whether All-America tackle Ed Oliver has played his final college game.
Did you know? With at least three games remaining,QB D’Eriq King has set the AAC single-season record for touchdowns responsible for with 48.
--Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle
6) USF
Previous ranking: 6 | Points: 73
Record:7-3 (3-3 AAC)
Last week: lost to Cincinnati, 35-23
This week: at Temple
Trajectory: Skidding. The Bulls, mired in their first three-game losing streak since 2015, head to frigid Philadelphia with an uncertain quarterback situation. Starter Blake Barnett (shoulder soreness) missed the Cincinnati game; whether he returns this week is anyone's guess. In his place, third-year sophomore Chris Oladokun (10-for-22, 165 yards, two TDs) and fourth-year junior Brett Kean (4-for-10, 67 yards, one TD) were steady if not spectacular.
Did you know? The loss at Cincy formally eliminated USF from East Division contention, marking the earliest they have been bounced from the race since 2014.
- Joey Knight, Tampa Bay Times
7) Tulane
Previous ranking: 7 | Points: 70
Record: 5-5 (4-2 AAC)
Last week: defeated East Carolina, 24-18
This week: at Houston (Thursday)
Trajectory: Surging. Tulane set up the biggest game for the program in 20 years, limiting ECU QB Holton Ahlers to 21 of 67 completions with an NCAA-record 20 pass break-ups (the stat started being kept in 2000). If it wins at defensively challenged Houston on Thursday and SMU loses to Memphis on Friday, Tulane will have sole possession of first place in the AAC West.
Did you know? The five teams that beat Tulane (Wake Forest, UAB, Ohio State, Cincinnati, SMU) have a composite record of 37-13.
--Guerry Smith, The New Orleans Advocate
8) Memphis
Previous ranking: 8 | Points: 61
Record: 6-4 (3-3 AAC)
Last week: defeated Tulsa, 47-21
This week: at SMU
Trajectory: Steady. Memphis’ defense shut out Tulsa in the first half and finished with season highs in tackles for loss (11) and sacks (five). Darrell Henderson added another strong running day (166 yards, 2 TDs) and the Tigers remain in the hunt for the AAC West title with two games left.
Did you know? John “Pop” Williams’ 72-yard punt return TD against Tulsa was Memphis’ first punt return TD since 2015.
--Evan Barnes, The Commercial Appeal
9) Navy
Previous ranking: 9 | Points: 39
Record: 2-8 (1-5 AAC)
Last week: lost to UCF, 35-24
This week: vs. Tulsa
Trajectory: Skidding. Navy now has its longest losing streak since 2002, a dismal year that concluded with a 2-10 record. There was a silver lining on Saturday as quarterback Zach Abey directed three touchdown drives in the second half with the triple-option looking the way it is supposed to for the first time all season. The Midshipmen hope to snap their skid when they host Tulsa on Senior Day at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Did you know? Navy has won 15 consecutive games on Senior Day. The Midshipmen have not sent the seniors out with a loss since 2002.
--Bill Wagner, Baltimore Sun Media Group
10) Tulsa
Previous ranking: 10 | Points: 36
Record: 2-8 (1-5 AAC)
Last week: lost to Memphis, 47-21
This week: at Navy
Trajectory: Skidding. After a potential breakthrough performance against UConn the previous week, the Hurricane took a giant step backward with Saturday's dismal defeat at Memphis. Tulsa was bad on both sides of the ball, recording a season-low 252 yards while allowing a season-high 499 yards.
Did you know? Tulsa has dropped 11 consecutive road games dating to the 2016 season.
--Kelly Hines, Tulsa World
11) East Carolina
Previous ranking: 11 | Points: 25
Record: 2-7 (0-6 AAC)
Last week: lost to Tulane, 24-18
This week: vs. Connecticut
Trajectory: Skidding. ECU’s latest loss was significant in that in knocked the Pirates out of bowl consideration and ensured a fourth straight losing season. Freshman quarterback Holton Ahlers continues to be a bright spot, but wins are lacking for the Pirates and third-year coach Scottie Montgomery.
Did you know? Ahlers has led the Pirates in rushing in seven straight games.
- Ronnie Woodward, Greenville (N.C.) Daily Reflector
12) Connecticut
Previous ranking: 12 | Points: 12
Record: 1-9 (0-6 AAC)
Last week: lost to SMU, 62-50
This week: at East Carolina
Trajectory: Steady. UConn's offense submitted maybe its best performance of the year against SMU, gaining 583 total yards, including 368 on the ground. Alas, the defense faltered for the Huskies again, leaving Randy Edsall's team only two more chances to pick up a second win.
Did you know? Quarterback David Pindell leads all FBS quarterbacks (and ranks ninth among all players) in rushing yards.
- Alex Putterman, Hartford Courant