While the AAC East division has gone according to plan with UCF and USF at the top, the West is in total chaos after the opening month of the season.
Defending champion Memphis is 0-2, and Navy is 1-1 as the calendar turns to October.
The biggest winner this week? Tulane, which jumped five spots to No. 5 after a dominating 40-24 win over Memphis, It’s the Green Wave’s highest ranking in the three-year history of the AAC power rankings, compiled by 12 beat reporters from every conference school.
Here is how the league stacks up heading into Week 6:
Guerry's Vote:
1) UCF
2) Houston
3) South Florida
4) Cincinnati
5) Tulane
6) Navy
7) Memphis
8) Temple
9) SMU
10) East Carolina
11) Tulsa
12) UConn
OVERALL POLL
1. UCF
Previous ranking: 1 | Points: 143
Record: 4-0 (1-0 AAC)
Last week: defeated Pittsburgh, 45-14
This week: vs. SMU
Trajectory: Surging. Quarterback McKenzie Milton combined for six total touchdowns for the second consecutive week as UCF extended the nation's longest winning streak to 17 games, both a school and conference record. Tailback Adrian Killins had three catches for a career-high 140 yards including a 71-yard touchdown.
Did you know? The Knights recorded a takeaway in their 23rd consecutive game going back to 2016.
- Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel
2. USF
Previous ranking: 2| Points: 129
Record: 4-0 (1-0 AAC)
Last week: Open date
This week: at UMass
Trajectory: Steady. The Bulls, who had three tailbacks in street clothes two Saturdays ago against East Carolina, should enter New England healthier after a bye week. They've struggled in the first half their last two games, but should rectify that issue against a UMass team ranked 114th nationally in total defense.
Did you know? The Bulls have won their last seven games in which they've had more than a week to prepare (including four under Charlie Strong).
- Joey Knight, Tampa Bay Times
3. Houston
Previous ranking: 3| Points: 119
Record: 3-1 (0-0 AAC)
Last week: Open date
This week: vs. Tulsa (Thursday)
Trajectory: Steady. Among the preseason contenders, Houston opens AAC play with two of its main West division challengers, Navy (1-1) and defending champion Memphis (0-2), off to rough starts. Don’t think the Cougars have forgotten the 45-17 spanking Tulsa put on them in their most lopsided loss last season.
Did you know? This November is the 50-year anniversary of Houston’s 100-6 win over Tulsa.
- Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle
4. Cincinnati
Previous ranking: 4 | Points: 113
Record: 5-0 (1-0 AAC)
Last week: defeated UConn, 49-7
This week: vs. Tulane
Trajectory: Surging. Redshirt freshman quarterback Desmond Ridder completed 20 of 26 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns vs. UConn. UC outgained UConn 659-266 in total yardage. The Bearcats have held three of their opponents to seven points or less.
Did You Know? The Bearcats rank No. 2 nationally in scoring defense at 12.2 per game. Last year, UC finished 93rd in scoring defense at 31.8 per game.
- Tom Groeschen, Cincinnati Enquirer
5. Tulane
Previous ranking: 10| Points: 84
Record: 2-3 (1-0 AAC)
Last Week: defeated Memphis, 40-24
This Week: at Cincinnati
Trajectory: Surging. In its best performance of Willie Fritz's three-year tenure, Tulane rocked Memphis 40-24 and held the Tigers to their lowest yardage total (277) since the Birmingham Bowl in 2015. Translating that performance on the road against undefeated Cincinnati will be tricky, but the Green Wave enters the game with confidence.
Did You Know? The combined record of Tulane's first five opponents is 17-7 while Cincinnati's foes are 6-17.
- Guerry Smith, The New Orleans Advocate
6. Navy
Previous ranking: 6 | Points: 83
Record: 2-2 (1-1 AAC)
Last week: Open date
This week: at Air Force
Trajectory: Steady. Navy’s first bye of the season came at an opportune time as numerous players were banged up while midshipmen at the academy was going through six-week exams. Starting quarterback Malcolm Perry suffered a slight concussion during the loss to SMU, but was cleared to resume practice last week. Wide receiver-quarterback Zach Abey remains questionable with a leg injury. Offensive tackle Jake Hawk, outside linebacker Nizaire Cromartie and safety Jake Springer were players who left the SMU game with minor injuries and benefited from the extra time to heal.
Did You Know? Navy’s 31-30 loss to SMU marked the first time it went to overtime as a member of the American Athletic Conference. The Midshipmen last went to extra sessions on Nov. 22, 2013 against San Jose State, a 58-52 victory in triple-overtime.
— Bill Wagner, Baltimore Sun Media Group
7. Temple
Previous ranking: 7 | Points: 67
Record: 2-3 (1-0 AAC)
Last week: lost to Boston College, 45-35
This week: vs. ECU
Trajectory: Skidding. After trailing by 17 points in the first part of the third quarter, Temple got to within 38-35 in the fourth, had the ball, but couldn’t close the gap. The Owls had no sacks and allowed a season-high 275 yards rushing. Quarterback Anthony Russo started his third straight game and finished 20-for-45 with 255 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. For the second straight week, the Owls receivers dropped too many passes. Running back Ryquell Armstead rushed for 171 yards and four TDs on 24 carries. It was his fourth consecutive 100-yard rushing game. Temple couldn’t contain standout defensive end Zach Allen, who had seven tackles, including four tackles for loss and two sacks. This ends a 1-3 non-conference schedule for Temple, with the win over Maryland and losses to Villanova and Buffalo.
Did you know? Temple has scored a non-offensive touchdown in each game this year.
- Marc Narducci, Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News
8. SMU
Previous ranking: 8 | Points: 66
Record: 2-3 (1-0 AAC)
Last week: defeated Houston Baptist, 63-27.
This week: at UCF
Trajectory: Surging. The surprising, first-place Mustangs face a third top-20 team this season in No. 12 UCF. SMU is hoping to get back three members of the secondary from injuries – safety Patrick Nelson and cornerbacks Cole Sterns and Eric Sutton – as it prepares for McKenzie Milton and the Knight’s high-powered offense.
Did you know? The 653 yards against Houston Baptist rank second in school history.
- Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle
9. Memphis
Previous ranking: 5| Points: 56
Record: 3-2 (0-2 AAC)
Last week: lost to Tulane, 40-24
This week: vs UConn
Trajectory: Skidding. Little went right for Memphis in its first loss to Tulane since 2000. The offense only managed 277 total yards, Darrell Henderson scored twice but was held to 51 rushing yards and the defense allowed Tulane to run wild for 318 rushing yards and 496 total yards. A bright spot was linebacker Bryce Huff tying the AAC single-game record with five tackles for loss.
Did you know? Memphis and UConn are meeting on Oct. 6 for the second consecutive year. The Tigers scored 70 in last year's meeting.
- Evan Barnes, The Commercial Appeal
10. East Carolina
Previous ranking: 9| Points: 38
Record: 2-2 (0-1 AAC)
Last week: defeated Old Dominion, 37-35.
This week: at Temple
Trajectory: Steady. The Pirates are on the verge of surging, which would happen if it gets a rare win at Temple. The Owls have won four straight in the series. ECU’s two victories this year are against North Carolina (1-3 record) and Old Dominion (1-4).
Did you know? ECU had the AAC defensive (Nate Harvey) and special teams (Jake Verity) players of the week.
- Ronnie Woodward, Greenville (N.C.) Daily Reflector
11. Tulsa
Previous ranking: 11| Points: 24
Record: 1-3 (0-1 AAC)
Last week: Open date
This week: at Houston (Thursday)
Trajectory: Steady. The Hurricane used its open date to re-examine its quarterback situation, opening the competition up again following Luke Skipper's five-turnover outing at Temple. A frontrunner this time around is Seth Boomer, a redshirt freshman who has not appeared in a game.
Did you know? Tulsa's defense is allowing 233.5 fewer yards per game this season compared to 2017.
- Kelly Hines, Tulsa World
12. Connecticut
Previous ranking: 12 | Points: 12
Record: 1-4 (0-2 AAC)
Last week: lost to Cincinnati, 49-7
This week: at Memphis
Trajectory: Skidding. Just when you think things can't get uglier for UConn, the Huskies go and lose by six touchdowns in a game that some observers thought could be close. UConn has now been outscored 218-52 by FBS opponents.
Did you know? UConn has allowed at least 500 yards in each of its five games this season.
- Alex Putterman, Hartford Courant
Defending champion Memphis is 0-2, and Navy is 1-1 as the calendar turns to October.
The biggest winner this week? Tulane, which jumped five spots to No. 5 after a dominating 40-24 win over Memphis, It’s the Green Wave’s highest ranking in the three-year history of the AAC power rankings, compiled by 12 beat reporters from every conference school.
Here is how the league stacks up heading into Week 6:
Guerry's Vote:
1) UCF
2) Houston
3) South Florida
4) Cincinnati
5) Tulane
6) Navy
7) Memphis
8) Temple
9) SMU
10) East Carolina
11) Tulsa
12) UConn
OVERALL POLL
1. UCF
Previous ranking: 1 | Points: 143
Record: 4-0 (1-0 AAC)
Last week: defeated Pittsburgh, 45-14
This week: vs. SMU
Trajectory: Surging. Quarterback McKenzie Milton combined for six total touchdowns for the second consecutive week as UCF extended the nation's longest winning streak to 17 games, both a school and conference record. Tailback Adrian Killins had three catches for a career-high 140 yards including a 71-yard touchdown.
Did you know? The Knights recorded a takeaway in their 23rd consecutive game going back to 2016.
- Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel
2. USF
Previous ranking: 2| Points: 129
Record: 4-0 (1-0 AAC)
Last week: Open date
This week: at UMass
Trajectory: Steady. The Bulls, who had three tailbacks in street clothes two Saturdays ago against East Carolina, should enter New England healthier after a bye week. They've struggled in the first half their last two games, but should rectify that issue against a UMass team ranked 114th nationally in total defense.
Did you know? The Bulls have won their last seven games in which they've had more than a week to prepare (including four under Charlie Strong).
- Joey Knight, Tampa Bay Times
3. Houston
Previous ranking: 3| Points: 119
Record: 3-1 (0-0 AAC)
Last week: Open date
This week: vs. Tulsa (Thursday)
Trajectory: Steady. Among the preseason contenders, Houston opens AAC play with two of its main West division challengers, Navy (1-1) and defending champion Memphis (0-2), off to rough starts. Don’t think the Cougars have forgotten the 45-17 spanking Tulsa put on them in their most lopsided loss last season.
Did you know? This November is the 50-year anniversary of Houston’s 100-6 win over Tulsa.
- Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle
4. Cincinnati
Previous ranking: 4 | Points: 113
Record: 5-0 (1-0 AAC)
Last week: defeated UConn, 49-7
This week: vs. Tulane
Trajectory: Surging. Redshirt freshman quarterback Desmond Ridder completed 20 of 26 passes for 270 yards and two touchdowns vs. UConn. UC outgained UConn 659-266 in total yardage. The Bearcats have held three of their opponents to seven points or less.
Did You Know? The Bearcats rank No. 2 nationally in scoring defense at 12.2 per game. Last year, UC finished 93rd in scoring defense at 31.8 per game.
- Tom Groeschen, Cincinnati Enquirer
5. Tulane
Previous ranking: 10| Points: 84
Record: 2-3 (1-0 AAC)
Last Week: defeated Memphis, 40-24
This Week: at Cincinnati
Trajectory: Surging. In its best performance of Willie Fritz's three-year tenure, Tulane rocked Memphis 40-24 and held the Tigers to their lowest yardage total (277) since the Birmingham Bowl in 2015. Translating that performance on the road against undefeated Cincinnati will be tricky, but the Green Wave enters the game with confidence.
Did You Know? The combined record of Tulane's first five opponents is 17-7 while Cincinnati's foes are 6-17.
- Guerry Smith, The New Orleans Advocate
6. Navy
Previous ranking: 6 | Points: 83
Record: 2-2 (1-1 AAC)
Last week: Open date
This week: at Air Force
Trajectory: Steady. Navy’s first bye of the season came at an opportune time as numerous players were banged up while midshipmen at the academy was going through six-week exams. Starting quarterback Malcolm Perry suffered a slight concussion during the loss to SMU, but was cleared to resume practice last week. Wide receiver-quarterback Zach Abey remains questionable with a leg injury. Offensive tackle Jake Hawk, outside linebacker Nizaire Cromartie and safety Jake Springer were players who left the SMU game with minor injuries and benefited from the extra time to heal.
Did You Know? Navy’s 31-30 loss to SMU marked the first time it went to overtime as a member of the American Athletic Conference. The Midshipmen last went to extra sessions on Nov. 22, 2013 against San Jose State, a 58-52 victory in triple-overtime.
— Bill Wagner, Baltimore Sun Media Group
7. Temple
Previous ranking: 7 | Points: 67
Record: 2-3 (1-0 AAC)
Last week: lost to Boston College, 45-35
This week: vs. ECU
Trajectory: Skidding. After trailing by 17 points in the first part of the third quarter, Temple got to within 38-35 in the fourth, had the ball, but couldn’t close the gap. The Owls had no sacks and allowed a season-high 275 yards rushing. Quarterback Anthony Russo started his third straight game and finished 20-for-45 with 255 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. For the second straight week, the Owls receivers dropped too many passes. Running back Ryquell Armstead rushed for 171 yards and four TDs on 24 carries. It was his fourth consecutive 100-yard rushing game. Temple couldn’t contain standout defensive end Zach Allen, who had seven tackles, including four tackles for loss and two sacks. This ends a 1-3 non-conference schedule for Temple, with the win over Maryland and losses to Villanova and Buffalo.
Did you know? Temple has scored a non-offensive touchdown in each game this year.
- Marc Narducci, Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News
8. SMU
Previous ranking: 8 | Points: 66
Record: 2-3 (1-0 AAC)
Last week: defeated Houston Baptist, 63-27.
This week: at UCF
Trajectory: Surging. The surprising, first-place Mustangs face a third top-20 team this season in No. 12 UCF. SMU is hoping to get back three members of the secondary from injuries – safety Patrick Nelson and cornerbacks Cole Sterns and Eric Sutton – as it prepares for McKenzie Milton and the Knight’s high-powered offense.
Did you know? The 653 yards against Houston Baptist rank second in school history.
- Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle
9. Memphis
Previous ranking: 5| Points: 56
Record: 3-2 (0-2 AAC)
Last week: lost to Tulane, 40-24
This week: vs UConn
Trajectory: Skidding. Little went right for Memphis in its first loss to Tulane since 2000. The offense only managed 277 total yards, Darrell Henderson scored twice but was held to 51 rushing yards and the defense allowed Tulane to run wild for 318 rushing yards and 496 total yards. A bright spot was linebacker Bryce Huff tying the AAC single-game record with five tackles for loss.
Did you know? Memphis and UConn are meeting on Oct. 6 for the second consecutive year. The Tigers scored 70 in last year's meeting.
- Evan Barnes, The Commercial Appeal
10. East Carolina
Previous ranking: 9| Points: 38
Record: 2-2 (0-1 AAC)
Last week: defeated Old Dominion, 37-35.
This week: at Temple
Trajectory: Steady. The Pirates are on the verge of surging, which would happen if it gets a rare win at Temple. The Owls have won four straight in the series. ECU’s two victories this year are against North Carolina (1-3 record) and Old Dominion (1-4).
Did you know? ECU had the AAC defensive (Nate Harvey) and special teams (Jake Verity) players of the week.
- Ronnie Woodward, Greenville (N.C.) Daily Reflector
11. Tulsa
Previous ranking: 11| Points: 24
Record: 1-3 (0-1 AAC)
Last week: Open date
This week: at Houston (Thursday)
Trajectory: Steady. The Hurricane used its open date to re-examine its quarterback situation, opening the competition up again following Luke Skipper's five-turnover outing at Temple. A frontrunner this time around is Seth Boomer, a redshirt freshman who has not appeared in a game.
Did you know? Tulsa's defense is allowing 233.5 fewer yards per game this season compared to 2017.
- Kelly Hines, Tulsa World
12. Connecticut
Previous ranking: 12 | Points: 12
Record: 1-4 (0-2 AAC)
Last week: lost to Cincinnati, 49-7
This week: at Memphis
Trajectory: Skidding. Just when you think things can't get uglier for UConn, the Huskies go and lose by six touchdowns in a game that some observers thought could be close. UConn has now been outscored 218-52 by FBS opponents.
Did you know? UConn has allowed at least 500 yards in each of its five games this season.
- Alex Putterman, Hartford Courant