2013 American Athletic Conference Preview

By: Rich Douglas

Gone is the Big East, in Division 1 football at least, in comes the American Athletic Conference, and it sucks! Except for Louisville.

Louisville - It's a shame this team is in such a terrible conference because I really do believe that they would do damage in some of the better ones. They have the best pro-style QB in Teddy Bridgewater who with his big arm distributes the ball very well to his receiving core. Bridgewater, at the moment, is a surefire top 5 NFL pick, but will need his talented supporting cast to help that come to fruition. His top receivers, Devante Parker and Damian Copeland return as well as his RBs Senorise Perry and Dominique Brown. Former Auburn Star Michael Dyer has also been added to the backfield in what should be a very fun offense to watch. The Cardinal defense was very good last year, but they could be even better as they return almost every starter. Last season they finished 23rd in overall yards allowed and 17th in passing yards allowed. A late season road trip to Cincy will be their toughest test, but this team is the team to beat in this conference.

Cincinnati - Tommy Tuberville's Bearcats pose the only real threat to Louisville this season. The starting QB has yet to be named, but Brendon Kay may have the inside track over Munchie Legaux after replacing him last season and going 4-1 in games he started. An experienced Offensive Line will be key for the do it all back Ralph Abernathy. Abernathy led the team with 1,508 all purpose yards last season. The offense has plenty of weapons, but the team may struggle on the defensive side of the ball. After an average season last year, the team loses Maalik Bomar and Dan Giordano to the NFL.

Central Florida - George O'Leary's team finished strongly last year with a 7-1 conference record and a second straight bowl win. Junior QB Blake Bortles is highly talented and returns after a very successful season in where he passed for 3,000 yards 25 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. RB Latavius Murray graduated, but Storm Johnson should fill in nicely as a starter. He was second in rushing on the team last season. The defense lost some key pieces and will be leaning on SS Clayton Geathers to be a playmaker in the secondary. With so much uncertainty as to who will start, UCF may be inconsistent on D.

SMU - After 6 seasons, head coach June Jones may finally be turning this program around after a victory over Fresno State in the Hawaii Bowl. Garrett Gilbert returns for his senior season and will be looking to improve on his 53% completion rate an 1 to 1 TD:INT ratio. Traylon Shead will be taking over at RB for Zach Line, but will be working with a new Offensive Line as just 2 starters are returning. Top receiver Darius Johnson was lost to graduation, but Jeremy Johnson, Derikk Thompson and Keenan Holman all return after good seasons last year. The Mustangs only return 3 starters on defense after a highly successful season last year. They lose their top sack and tackles leaders in Margus Hunt and Taylor Reed and will have no seniors on the Defensive Line. Both safeties are their only returning starters as the team will rely on Jay Scott and Kenneth Acker to carry over last season's success.

Rutgers - The Scarlet Knights are coming off of a successful inaugural season for coach Kyle Flood. They finished the years as Big East Co-Champions even with QB Gary Nova's inconsistencies throughout the year. That inconsistency led to their 3 game losing streak to end the season, but the team still exceeded expectations. With just 6 starters returning on offense, the team may struggle under first year Offensive Coordinator Ron Prince, but 4 members of their Offensive Line will be back in what should make for the most formidable line in the conference. The Defense loses last year's Defensive Player of the Year Khaseem Greene as well as a number of other starters. Lorenzo Waters is the only returning starter in the secondary. The unit as a whole may suffer due to all the departures.

Houston - How the mighty have fallen. This isn't the same offense that Case Keenum led a couple years ago, but second year Coach Tony Levine brings in former Oklahoma OC Doug Meacham to help right the offense. Starting QB David Piland returns, but is without top playmaker Charles Sims. The offense was so young last year that they return all of their other starters, but they unit as a whole still has a lot to prove. Former NFL defensive coordinator David Gibbs has been brought in to fix a defense that struggled for the most part last year. The team's leading tackler Phillip Steward was lost to graduation and the team will lean on Derrick Matthews to stabilize an inexperienced LB unit. The defense was ranked 10th in the nation in sacks last year but probably won't replicate that success with only one returning starter on the line.

South Florida - FIrst year head coach Willie Taggart will have his hands full. B.J Daniels was lost to graduation after having an excellent career in South Florida with 8,433 yards passing and 52 TDs during his 4 years of starting. Austin Reiter anchors an Offensive Line with high expectations as he's on the preseason Rimington Award Watch List. USF's top three rushers are all gone as it's clear that the unit will struggle. The defense brings back 6 starters including Notre Dame transfer Aaron Lynch at defensive end. Dede Lattimore will play MLB after recording 75 tackles, 7.5 for loss, and 3.5 sacks last season. Safety Mark Joyce will lead the secondary along with FS JaQuez Jenkins.

Temple - The Owl offense is pretty horrendous. Chris Coyer threw for just 946 yards with 8 TDs and 4 INTs as the offense went through long stretches of being stagnant. Montel Harris was their lone bright spot as he eclipsed 1,000 yards in rushing, but he's lost to graduation. After its become pretty clear that Coyer will not be able to lead this offense, they have since moved him to TE and given the reigns to junior Connor Reilly. The offensive line should at least provide some stability with 4 starters returning. The defense was equally as terrible last year and it might not be any better. They'll rely heavily on their Linebacking core as all three starters are returning. They only have 1 starter back on the line.

UConn - There isn't much to say about the Husky offense that put everyone to sleep last season. Chandler Whitmer might have been the worst QB in any major conference last season after throwing 9 TDs and 16 INTs. Lyle McCombs ran for 860 yards and 8 TDs and will need to have a big season this year in order for UConn to have any success. The defense is somewhat inexperienced but has a few good skilled players. Yawin Smallwood led the team last year with 120 tackles, 15 for loss, and four sacks. The Defensive Line returns 3 players as this team should be able to pressure opposing QBs with success.

Memphis - This is all you need to see about this Memphis Tigers team. They'll struggle, and there isn't much to say, but you've got to cheer for good guy QB Jacob Karam. As for the team, well, they'll suck.