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Houston vs Navy Prediction, Game Preview

Houston vs Navy game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 8 game on Saturday, October 22

Houston vs Navy prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 8, Saturday, October 22

Houston vs Navy How To Watch

Date: Saturday, October 22
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, MD
How To Watch: ESPNU
Record: Houston (3-3), Navy (2-4)
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Bowl Projections | Midseason Roundup
What 12-Team Playoff Would Look Like
Top 10 Hot Seat Coach Rankings | Heisman Race
Midseason Freshman All-America Team
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Houston vs Navy Game Preview

Why Houston Will Win

NOTHING has been easy for the 2022 Houston Cougars.

This was supposed to be the best of the Group of Five programs, but it lost a heartbreaker to Tulane, pulled off a thriller over Memphis, and every game has been crazy-wild-close.

It had a few weeks, though, to take a deep breath and rest for the finishing kick.

For all the problems, the run defense has generally been okay, the passing game has been great, and the offense has a way of rallying back when needed.

If the D can get into the backfield like it normally does, it should stop the Navy offense before it gets started, but …

– NFL Expert Picks, Week 7

Why Navy Will Win

The Navy offense is back.

The team might have lost to SMU, but it ran for 372 yards after rolling by Tulsa for 455. Because of it, the team is great at controlling the clock, it’s hitting the big play the few times it throws, and on the other side the run defense is terrific.

Houston will get its yards, but there’s a shot the D can’t hit the curveball and the Navy offense runs well early, takes a lead, and takes the air out of the ball in the fourth quarter, because …

– Game Previews, Predictions College | NFL

What’s Going To Happen

The Cougars are great in desperation mode, but they might not easily get the ball back when needed.

It’s Houston, so this is going to be close throughout, it’ll stall for stretches, and it’ll get its shot late to pull everything out of the fire.

Too many Cougar penalties and a few other mistakes will make this a fight, but once again Clayton Tune will do what he needs to.

– College Football Expert Picks, Week 8

Houston vs Navy Prediction, Line

Houston 31, Navy 27
Line: Houston -3, o/u: 51.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5
Houston vs Navy Must See Rating (out of 5): 3
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– Bowl Projections | Rankings
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Houston vs Memphis Prediction, Game Preview

Houston vs Memphis game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 6 game on Friday, October 7

Houston vs Memphis prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 6, Friday, October 7

Houston vs Memphis How To Watch

Date: Friday, October 7
Game Time: 6:30 ET
Venue: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, TN
How To Watch: ESPN2
Record: Houston (2-3), Memphis (4-1)
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College Football Week 5 Roundup
CFN 1-131 Rankings | Rankings by Conference
Bowl Projections | Week 5 Scoreboard
Week 6 Early Lines | Hot Seat Coach Rankings
What 12-Team Playoff Would Look Like
Cavalcade of Whimsy: The Silly Coaching World
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Houston vs Memphis Game Preview

Why Houston Will Win

Houston, you feeling okay?

The talent is there, the experience is in place, and there’s no real reason why the team shouldn’t be far better. It’s closer to being 0-5 than it is 5-0, but it’s not like it’s that bad.

The offense is moving the chains without a problem, the defensive front lives in the backfield, and there aren’t a ton of turnover issues.

Memphis doesn’t have any sort of a pass rush, and that’s part of the reason why the secondary is having problems. This is where Clayton Tune and the Houston passing attack have to get going, but …

– NFL Expert Picks, Week 5

Why Memphis Will Win

The Memphis defense hasn’t been that bad.

Playing Navy, Arkansas State, North Texas, and Temple have something to do with that, but the run D has been strong and outside of the loss to Mississippi State, the secondary is holding up despite all the yards allowed.

And then there are the penalties. Memphis has been flagged 26 times with just ten over the last three games. Houston has doubled that up with a whopping 56 so far coming in a steady stream. For a team that can’t get anything consistently moving, the flags have been brutal.

– Schedules, Previews College | NFL

What’s Going To Happen

Just how demoralized is Houston after the brutal loss to Tulane?

Is this when it kicks it all in and gets its season going, or is this when it drops another close game and goes into the tank?

It’s Houston so it’s going to be a much closer game than it needs to be, but the offense will come up with the balance to keep everything moving, and finally the defense will get the big stops needed in the second half to get out alive.

The Memphis offense will keep it close, but it won’t run well enough in the second half.

– CFN Expert Picks, Week 6

Houston vs Memphis Prediction, Line

Houston 31, Memphis 27
Line: Memphis -2.5, o/u: 57.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5
Houston vs Memphis Must See Rating (out of 5): 3
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– Bowl Projections | Rankings
– Schedules, Scores For All 131 Teams

Houston vs Tulane Prediction, Game Preview

Houston vs Tulane game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 5 game on Friday, September 30

Houston vs Tulane prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 5, Friday, September 30

Houston vs Tulane How To Watch

Date: Friday, September 30
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Venue: TDECU Stadium, Houston, TX
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: Houston (2-2), Tulane (3-1)
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Roundup: Overrated, Underrated, What it all Means
CFN 1-131 Rankings | Bowl Projections
What 12-Team Playoff Would Look Like
Hot Seat Coach Rankings after Week 4
Think, Know, Believe: Football Smack Talk
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Houston vs Tulane Game Preview

Why Tulane Will Win

Okay, Tulane, who exactly are you?

Are you the team that’s fourth in the nation in total defense, fourth in the nation in pass defense, and eighth in the nation in scoring D?

Are you the team that stuffed the Kansas State team that went on to beat Oklahoma a week later, or are you the team that couldn’t get past Southern Miss despite playing better in almost every way?

The defense gets a Houston team that’s making every game an adventure. There isn’t a penalty the Cougars don’t like to commit – with ten or more in every game – the pass defense is non-existent, and …

– NFL Expert Picks, Week 4

Why Houston Will Win

The offense is working.

It struggled in the loss to Texas Tech, but the passing game was accurate over the last two weeks against Kansas and Rice, and the running game is starting to perk up.

The team might be a disappointment considering the high expectations to start the season, but there’s still plenty of time to get on a roll, win the American Athletic Conference, and possibly get the New Year’s Six bowl bid as long as the team can finally start playing consistently well.

Tulane might have a killer defense, but it’s not doing much to generate a pass rush and it’s not taking the ball away. Give the Houston skill parts time and big things happen.

With all that said, to be nice and polite about it …

– Schedules, Previews College | NFL

What’s Going To Happen

WAKE UP, HOUSTON.

The team has so many great parts, talent, and potential that it should be far better than it played over the first four weeks.

Tulane isn’t quite as weird, but the last two games have been confusing – Southern Miss shouldn’t have been a problem at home after the way the D played against Kansas State.

Houston’s offense will be just good enough when it has to be to get out of this alive, but like every other game it won’t be easy. The Tulane defense is the real deal and will keep it close throughout.

When the Cougar defensive line absolutely has to get into the backfield, it’ll do it. It just won’t play well enough early to not need the big stop late.

– CFN Expert Picks, Week 5

Houston vs Tulane Prediction, Line

Houston 30, Tulane 24
Line: Houston -2.5, o/u: 54.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5
Houston vs Tulane Must See Rating (out of 5): 3.5

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– Schedules, Scores For All 131 Teams

Houston vs Rice Prediction, Game Preview

Houston vs Rice game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 4 game on Saturday, September 24

Houston vs Rice prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 4, Saturday, September 24

Houston vs Rice How To Watch

Date: Saturday, September 24
Game Time: 6:00 ET
Venue: TDECU Stadium, Houston, TX
How To Watch: ESPN+
Record: Houston (1-2), Rice (2-1)
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CFN 1-131 Rankings | Bowl Projections
CFN Week 4 Expert Picks | Week 4 Schedule
NFL Expert Predictions | NFL Schedule, Picks
What 12-Team Playoff Would Look Like
Top 10 Coach Hot Seat List: After Week 3
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Houston vs Rice Game Preview

Why Rice Will Win

Is Rice good at college football now?

It got rocked by USC, but that’s going to happen to just about everyone. The McNeese State win was no big deal, and then came the shocking 33-21 victory over Louisiana for – somewhat arguably – the biggest win in the Mike Bloomgren era.

The passing game has been great with TJ McMahon throwing seven touchdown passes over the last two games. Now he gets to go against a Houston pass defense that was rocked by UTSA and Texas Tech.

The Cougar run D wasn’t anything special in the loss to Kansas, but …

– CFN Expert Picks, Week 4

Why Houston Will Win

Come on, Houston. You’re better than this.

A puzzling disappointment so far, the team that seemed like it would be the best among the Group of Five programs is 1-2 and probably should be 0-3.

There are way too many penalties, and the offensive line hasn’t been strong, but the secondary should be able to pick off a few passes – Rice has given up seven interceptions so far – and the team is scoring.

Rice doesn’t generate tackles for loss, and the Cougar backfield should get time to operate. Louisiana wasn’t able to get anything going against the Owls, but …

– 10 Best Predictions Against the Spread

What’s Going To Happen

Houston’s offense should be balanced and it should start to do far, far more.

The defense has been a disaster, and Rice now has the ability to wing it around to make this interesting, but this should be when the Cougars finally have a relatively manageable game without a whole lot of drama.

It’ll take a while to get there – Houston hasn’t been sharp enough and takes a while to warm up – but the program will get a desperately needed win.

– NFL Expert Picks, Week 3

Houston vs Rice Prediction, Line

Houston 38, Rice 20
Line: Houston -17.5, o/u: 51.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Houston vs Rice Must See Rating (out of 5): 2.5

College coaches all over America this week are raising awareness and research dollars for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a progressive genetic disorder that takes the lives of young men. Fans can donate to Coach To Cure MD online or by texting the word CURE to 501501 to give $25.

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Kansas vs Houston Prediction, Game Preview

Kansas vs Houston game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 3 game on Saturday, September 17

Kansas vs Houston prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 3, Saturday, September 17

Kansas vs Houston How To Watch

Date: Saturday, September 17
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: TDECU Stadium, Houston, TX
How To Watch: ESPNU
Record: Kansas (2-0), Houston (1-1)
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NFL Expert Predictions | NFL Predictions
What 12-Team Playoff Would Look Like
Top 10 Coach Hot Seat List: After Week 2
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Kansas vs Houston Game Preview

Why Kansas Will Win

I’ve been asked on two radio appearances over the last few days …

“Is Kansas good now?”

Ripping through Tennessee Tech was one thing, but hanging 55 on the road in a win over West Virginia was a special step forward for Lance Leipold and the program.

There’s been a terrific offensive balance with over 200 yards rushing and receiving in each of the first two games, the attack leads the nation in third down conversions converting them at an obscene 74% clip, and it’s all starting with an offensive front that’s giving rising star QB Jalon Daniels all the time he needs.

Houston has gone to overtime in its first two games against UTSA and Texas Tech, the running game hasn’t worked yet, and it’s been a struggle overall. The 23 penalties haven’t helped.

– CFN Expert Picks, Week 3

Why Houston Will Win

The Cougars are battle tested.

They found a way to survive against UTSA, and they fought well in a good, grinding game against Texas Tech.

The defense has been thrown on – Texas Tech tends to do that and UTSA QB Frank Harris is a good one – but the Cougar pass rush has been outstanding, the D is getting into the backfield on a regular basis, and the takeaways are coming to make up for the mistakes on the offensive side.

Can the pass rush get to Daniels? Again, Kansas has done a great job of keeping its quarterback clean, but the Cougars are going to bring the heat from all sides.

– Week 3 Schedule, Predictions, Game Preview

What’s Going To Happen

Can the Cougars finally get control of a game?

They’ve created too many problems for themselves with too many penalties and too little offense early on. However, the defensive line has been solid against the run, the Kansas passing game isn’t going to get past 330 yards like UTSA and Texas Tech did, and getting a home game will matter.

This isn’t your normal Kansas anymore, but Houston will start to look the part as the possible best team of the Group of Five bunch.

– CFN Week 3 Predictions

Kansas vs Houston Prediction, Line

Houston 41, Kansas 34
Line: Houston -9, o/u: 57.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Kansas vs Houston Must See Rating (out of 5): 3.5

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– Predictions of Every Game
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Houston vs Texas Tech Prediction, Game Preview

Houston vs Texas Tech game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 2 game on Saturday, September 10

Houston vs Texas Tech prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 2, Saturday, September 10

Houston vs Texas Tech How To Watch

Date: Saturday, September 10
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: Jones AT&T Stadium, Lubbock, TX
How To Watch: FS1
Record: Houston (1-0), Texas Tech (1-0)
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Houston vs Texas Tech Game Preview

Why Houston Will Win

There’s something to be said for surviving the big test in Week 1.

You’re crazy to schedule a game like UTSA on the road before facing someone truly easy to warm up against, but Houston was down and out, it came back, won in overtime, and it’s moving on.

There were WAY too many mistakes. The offense didn’t work right, the 11 penalties were awful, and it was a struggle overall, but the team dominated the clock, clamped down when it had to, and the run defense didn’t give up anything other than one big dash by Roadrunner QB Frank Harris.

Now it’s getting a Texas Tech team without QB Tyler Shough – he suffered a shoulder injury in the blowout win over Murray State, but …

– CFN Expert Picks, Week 2

Why Texas Tech Will Win

The quarterback battle paid off.

Shough threw well in the 63-10 win before getting hurt, but Donovan Smith was even better. Great at the end of last year, he bombed away for four touchdowns on a 14-of-16 day. Yeah, that was against Murray State, but Harris thew for 337 yards and three scores for UTSA – the Houston secondary can be beaten.

New head coach Joey McGuire has the offense in place – he got Zach Kittley, the WKU offensive coordinator last year – and he’s got enough of a defense to hold up against a Houston running game that stalled too much last week.

The Cougars got away with the mistakes last week, but …

– Week 2 Schedule, Predictions, Game Preview

What’s Going To Happen

That’s not happening this time around.

Texas Tech won’t seem like it will ever have the ball – Houston might have the ball for ten more minutes – but Smith will be effective when he has his chances.

Neither team will run well, but both quarterbacks will be great – Houston’s Clayton Tune will have a monster day – and the the future Big 12 brothers will set the tone for the near future.

The Cougars won’t get it done on the late comeback this week.

– CFN Week 2 Predictions

Houston vs Texas Tech Prediction, Line

Texas Tech 38, Houston 34
Line: Texas Tech -3, o/u: 65.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5
Houston vs Texas Tech Must See Rating (out of 5): 4

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Houston vs UTSA Prediction, Game Preview

Houston vs UTSA game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 1 game on Saturday, September 3

Houston vs UTSA prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 1, Saturday, September 3

Houston vs UTSA How To Watch

Date: Saturday, September 3
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: Alamodome, San Antonio, TX
How To Watch: CBS Sports Network
Record: Houston (0-0), UTSA (0-0)
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Houston vs UTSA Game Preview

Why Houston Will Win

This is when the Houston passing game should take off.

The ground game will be great with a deep rotation at running back to work with, and there are a slew of good offensive linemen to play around with, but it’ll be QB Clayton Tune and his great receiving corps that should be able to take over the game at times.

UTSA is rock-solid on both sides of the ball, but the secondary – as talent as it is – has to be better after allowing 258 yards per game last season, there has to be more of a pass rush, and the offense could stand to come up with a few more big plays deep.

The D that led the AAC last season should be every bit as strong, but …

– Week 1 CFN College Football Expert Picks

Why UTSA Will Win

UTSA has the toughness, the makeup, and the experience to pull this off. It all starts on the lines.

The Roadrunners have a good base with four starters returning on the offensive front, and the defensive line should be active against the run, even if it doesn’t get into the backfield enough.

Frank Harris is a fantastic all-around veteran quarterback who won’t be fazed in any way by the big better, the receiving corps is loaded with options, and overall, the team won’t make a ton of big mistakes.

The defense is once again going to be great at taking the ball away, the kicking game will be strong again, and …

– Week 1 Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews, Saturday

What’s Going To Happen

Houston’s got the defensive front and secondary to hold up.

The corners might be a question mark, but the safety play will be great, the pass rush will bother Harris enough to matter, and the group will come up with enough third down stops to survive.

The offense might not be quite as consistent enough to make this easy, but it’ll come up with the scoring drives in the second quarter to make UTSA press. Harris will get the team close late, but will come up just short.

It’s going to be one of the most fun games on Saturday.

– All of the CFN Predictions

Houston vs UTSA Prediction, Line

Houston 34, UTSA 27
Line: Houston -4, o/u: 62
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

– How every college coach does against the spread

Houston vs UTSA Must See Rating: 3.5
5: Gangs of London Season 2
1: Mack & Rita

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25 Winningest Programs To Not Make The College Football Playoff

College Football Playoff: 25 winningest teams to not make the tournament

What are the 25 winningest programs to not make the College Football Playoff? Here are the top schools in the CFP era to miss out on the fun.

Cincinnati and Michigan were able to make the College Football Playoff last season. Their doors might have been blown off by Alabama and Georgia, respectively, but they at least brought some new energy to the mini-tournament.

The College Football Playoff has only been around for eight seasons and just 13 schools – Alabama, Cincinnati, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Washington – have played in it and just five won it all.

That means 90% of the FBS college football programs haven’t been in the post-season – at least the version that matters – since this grand experiment started.

That’s the equivalent of only 36 college basketball programs making the NCAA Tournament over the last eight years – which is a good idea, by the way, but I digress.

What college football programs were able to win a lot of games over the last eight years without the playoff payoff? 25 have won 60 or more games in eight seasons – averaging 7.5 a year, but it’s better than that considering some played a short schedule in 2020 – without getting the call.

If you didn’t get to 60 victories – no Texas, or Tennessee, or Nebraska, Michigan State, or North Carolina – you don’t get on the list. So with that, here are the 25 winningest teams to not make the College Football Playoff.

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25. USC

Wins Since 2014: 60
Best Season in CFP Era: 2017, 11-3, Pac-12 champion, Rose Bowl win
Realistic Chance To Make College Football Playoff This Season: Strong

Bottom Line: USC might be last on this list, but it’s got the best shot of going to the College Football Playoff this year with Lincoln Riley and a loaded all-star team ready to roll. The 2020 team would’ve had a case for the CFP if it won the Pac-12 title to finish 6-0 – it lost to Oregon, but no unbeaten Power Five champ has ever been left out. It’s been a disappointing run since going 12-1 in 2008. That’s all about to change.
USC Preview | Top 10 Players | Schedule Analysis

T22. NC State

Wins Since 2014: 61
Best Season in CFP Era: 2017, 9-4, Sun Bowl win
Realistic Chance To Make College Football Playoff This Season: Possible

Bottom Line: The Wolfpack have been strongly consistent since Dave Doeren took over, but they haven’t been able to get a turn in the ACC Championship mix – being in the same division with Clemson has something to do with that. This should be his best team yet, and if it can somehow get by the Tigers on the road, there’s a real shot at going 12-1 with an ACC Championship and a CFP shot. That’s a massive if, though.
NC State Preview | Top 10 Players | Schedule Analysis

T22. Miami

Wins Since 2014: 61
Best Season in CFP Era: 2017, 10-3, ACC Championship loss, Orange Bowl loss
Realistic Chance To Make College Football Playoff This Season: Slim

Bottom Line: Miami flirted with something fun in 2017 with a 10-0 start before losing the last three games. However, had it beaten Clemson in the ACC Championship – it lost 38-3 – it would’ve been in the CFP. This year’s schedule is too tough for a reloading team – with road games at Clemson and Texas A&M – but new head coach Mario Cristobal might just restore the glory in a hurry.
Miami Preview | Top 10 Players | Schedule Analysis

T22. Western Michigan

Wins Since 2014: 61
Best Season in CFP Era: 2016, 13-1, MAC champion, Cotton Bowl loss
Realistic Chance To Make College Football Playoff This Season: None

Bottom Line: Now-Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck led the way to a phenomenal 13-0 regular season with a MAC title in 2016, and it still wasn’t enough to get near the College Football Playoff. The Broncos have been good ever since, but they haven’t been able to come close to repeating the glory. They’ll be strong this season, but even if they can win at Michigan State and against Pitt – and can run through the MAC unbeaten – it still shouldn’t be enough for a CFP shot.
WMU Preview | Top 10 Players | Schedule

NEXT: College Football Playoff: Top 21 Programs To Not Make the CFP

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CFN Preseason All-American Athletic Conference Football Team, Top 30 Players: Preview 2022

Who are the best players in the American Athletic Conference going into the 2022 college football season? They’re highlighted in the CFN 2022 Preseason All-American Athletic Conference team and top 30 players.

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2022 Preseason CFN American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year

QB Clayton Tune, Sr. Houston

Can Tune be for Houston what Desmond Ridder was for Cincinnati last year? The numbers should be strong – SMU QB Tanner Mordecai might have the better passing season, though – but it’s more than that. Tune is the veteran leader on what should be the best team in the American Athletic Conference – and the stats aren’t bad, either.

He hit 68% of his passes for 3,546 yards and 30 touchdowns and ten picks, ran for 154 yards and two touchdowns, and led the way to a terrific 12-win season with a bowl victory. Now Houston is looking for even more.

2022 Preseason CFN American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year

LB Deshawn Pace, Jr. Cincinnati

Call this a projection that Pace takes his game up a few notches and becomes an even bigger terror for offenses.

An underappreciated all-around hybrid linebacker – he only earned Honorable Mention All-AAC honors last year – the 6-2, 215-pounder was all over the field making 95 tackles with 9.5 tackles for loss and four picks, highlighted by a huge one against Indiana. It’s not really his role, but if he becomes more of a pass rusher, he’ll be a gamewrecker.

College Football News 2022 Preseason All-American Athletic Conference Team: Offense

QB Clayton Tune, Sr. Houston

RB Isaiah Bowser, Sr. UCF

RB Keaton Mitchell, Soph. East Carolina

WR Nathaniel Dell, Jr. Houston

WR Rashee Rice, Sr. SMU

TE Josh Whyle, Jr. Cincinnati

OT Dylan O’Quinn, Sr. Cincinnati

OG Lorenz Metz, Sr. Cincinnati

C Jake Renfro, Jr. Cincinnati

OG Lokahi Pauole, Sr. UCF

OT Jaylon Thomas, Sr. SMU

College Football News 2022 Preseason All-American Athletic Conference Team: Defense

DE Elijah Chatman, Sr. SMU

DT/DE Malik Vann, Sr. Cincinnati

DT Ricky Barber, Jr. UCF

DE Derek Parish, Sr. Houston

LB Antonio Grier, Sr. USF

LB Deshawn Pace, Jr. Cincinnati

LB Donavan Mutin, Jr. Houston

CB Davonte Brown, Jr.

S Quindell Johnson, Sr. Memphis

S Gervarrius Owens, Sr. Houston

CB Arquon Bush, Sr. Cincinnati

College Football News 2022 Preseason All-American Athletic Conference Team: Special Teams

PK Owen Daffer, Soph. East Carolina

P Laine Wilkins, Soph. Houston

KR Bryan Massey, Jr. SMU

PR Ryan Montgomery, Sr. Cincinnati

College Football News 2022 Preseason Top 30 American Athletic Conference Players

30. Holton Ahlers, QB Sr. East Carolina

29. Isaac Moore, OT Sr. Temple

28. Quadric Bullard, S Jr. UCF

27. John Marshall, S Sr. Navy

26. Ja’von Hicks, S Sr. Cincinnati

25. Elijah Chatman, DE Sr. SMU

24. Patrick Paul, OT Soph. Houston

23. Justin Wright, LB Sr. Tulsa

22. Lokahi Pauole, OG Sr. UCF

21. Seth Henigan, QB Soph. Memphis

20. Dwayne Boyles, LB Sr. USF

19. Dorian Williams, LB Jr. Tulane

18. Divaad Wilson, S Sr. UCF

17. Gervarrius Owens, S Sr. Houston

16. Donavan Mutin, LB Jr. Houston

15. Quindell Johnson, S Sr. Memphis

14. Jaylon Thomas, OT Sr. SMU

13. Dylan O’Quinn, OT Sr. Cincinnati

12. Ryan O’Keefe, WR Sr. UCF

11. Lorenz Metz, OG Sr. Cincinnati

10. Antonio Grier, LB Sr. USF

9. Tanner Mordecai, QB Jr. SMU

8. Rashee Rice, WR, Sr. SMU

7. Derek Parish, DE Sr. Houston

6. Deshawn Pace, LB Jr. Cincinnati

5. Jake Renfro, C Jr. Cincinnati

4. Keaton Mitchell, RB, Soph. East Carolina

3. Isaiah Bowser, RB Sr. UCF

2. Nathaniel Dell, WR Jr. Houston

1. Clayton Tune, QB Sr. Houston

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American Athletic Conference Preseason Predictions For Every Game: Preview 2022

American Athletic Conference predictions for every team and every game in the 2022 college football season

The American Athletic Conference is about to go through its final season with a whole lot of fun before all the changes come.

If you want wacky, and if you want unpredictable, here you go.

The future Big 12 programs – Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF – should be the stars, but others are going to be just good enough to provide a push or even trip them up. Unfortunately, the Cougars don’t play the Bearcats or Knights.

Get ready for the inconsistencies with teams like East Carolina and Memphis being up and down, depending on the timing of the biggest games, SMU and Tulane will be interesting, and USF and Navy should be just improved enough to pull off a few interesting performances.

Remember, the American Athletic Conference doesn’t have divisions. The top two teams in the final standings will play for the title. It should come down to the last few games with the drama at a high level up until the very end.

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American Athletic Conference Predictions

American Athletic Conference Predicted Finish

T1. Cincinnati
T1. Houston
3. UCF
T4. East Carolina
T4. Memphis
T4. Navy
T4. SMU
T8. Tulane
T8. Tulsa
10. USF
11. Temple

Cincinnati Bearcats

2022 Preseason Prediction: 10-2
2022 AAC Prediction: 7-1
2021: 13-1, Prediction: 10-2
2020: 9-1, 2019: 11-3, 2018: 11-2

Sept 3 at Arkansas L
Sept 10 Kennesaw State W
Sept 17 vs Miami University (in Cincinnati) W
Sept 24 Indiana W
Oct 1 at Tulsa W
Oct 8 USF W
Oct 15 OPEN DATE
Oct 22 at SMU W
Oct 29 at UCF L
Nov 5 Navy W
Nov 12 East Carolina W
Nov 19 at Temple W
Nov 26 Tulane W
Cincinnati 2022 Preview
Cincinnati 10 Best Players

East Carolina Pirates

2022 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2022 AAC Prediction: 4-4
2021: 7-5, Prediction: 5-7
2020: 3-6, 2019: 4-8, 2018: 3-9

Sept 3 NC State L
Sept 10 Old Dominion W
Sept 17 Campbell
Sept 24 Navy L
Oct 1 at USF L
Oct 8 at Tulane L
Oct 15 Memphis W
Oct 22 UCF W
Oct 29 at BYU L
Nov 5 OPEN DATE
Oct 11 at Cincinnati L
Oct 19 Houston W
Nov 26 at Temple W
East Carolina 2022 Preview
East Carolina 10 Best Players

Houston Cougars

2022 Preseason Prediction: 10-2
2022 AAC Prediction: 7-1
2021: 12-2, Prediction: 8-4
2020: 3-5, 2019: 4-8, 2018: 8-5

Sept 3 at UTSA W
Sept 10 at Texas Tech L
Sept 17 Kansas W
Sept 24 Rice W
Oct 29 Tulane W
Oct 7 at Memphis W
Oct 15 OPEN DATE
Oct 22 at Navy W
Oct 29 USF W
Nov 5 at SMU W
Nov 12 Temple W
Nov 19 at East Carolina L
Nov 26 Tulsa W
Houston 2022 Preview
Houston 10 Best Players

Memphis Tigers

2022 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2022 AAC Prediction: 4-4
2021: 6-6, Prediction: 8-4
2020: 8-3, 2019: 12-2, 2018: 8-6

Sept 3 at Mississippi State L
Sept 10 at Navy L
Sept 17 Arkansas State W
Sept 24 North Texas W
Oct 1 Temple W
Oct 7 Houston L
Oct 15 at East Carolina L
Oct 22 at Tulane W
Oct 29 OPEN DATE
Nov 5 UCF W
Nov 10 Tulsa W
Nov 19 North Alabama W
Nov 26 at SMU L
Memphis 2022 Preview
Memphis 10 Best Players

Navy Midshipmen

2022 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2022 AAC Prediction: 4-4
2021: 4-8, Prediction: 3-9
2020: 3-7, 2019: 11-2, 2018: 3-10

Sept 3 Delaware W
Sept 10 Memphis W
Sept 17 OPEN DATE
Sept 24 at East Carolina W
Oct 1 at Air Force L
Oct 8 Tulsa W
Oct 14 at SMU L
Oct 22 Houston L
Oct 29 Temple W
Nov 5 at Cincinnati L
Nov 12 vs Notre Dame (in Baltimore) L
Nov 19 at UCF L
Nov 26 OPEN DATE
Dec 3 OPEN DATE
Dec 10 vs Army (in Philadelphia) L
Navy 2022 Preview
Navy 10 Best Players

SMU Mustangs

2022 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2022 AAC Prediction: 4-4
2021: 8-4, Prediction: 7-5
2020: 7-3, 2019: 10-3, 2018: 5-7

Sept 3 at North Texas W
Sept 10 Lamar W
Sept 17 at Maryland L
Sept 24 TCU L
Oct 1 at UCF L
Oct 8 OPEN DATE
Oct 14 Navy W
Oct 22 Cincinnati L
Oct 29 at Tulsa W
Nov 5 Houston L
Nov 12 at USF W
Nov 17 at Tulane L
Nov 26 Memphis W
SMU 2022 Preview
SMU 10 Best Players

Temple Owls

2022 Preseason Prediction: 2-10
2022 AAC Prediction: 0-8
2021: 3-9, Prediction: 5-7
2020: 1-6, 2019: 8-5, 2018: 8-5

Sept 2 at Duke L
Sept 10 Lafayette W
Sept 17 Rutgers L
Sept 24 UMass W
Oct 1 at Memphis L
Oct 8 OPEN DATE
Oct 13 at UCF L
Oct 21 Tulsa L
Oct 29 at Navy L
Nov 5 USF L
Nov 12 at Houston L
Nov 19 Cincinnati L
Nov 26 East Carolina L
Temple 2022 Preview
Temple 10 Best Players

Tulane Green Wave

2022 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2022 AAC Prediction: 3-5
2021: 2-10, Prediction: 5-7
2020: 6-6, 2019: 7-6, 2018: 7-6

Sept 3 UMass W
Sept 10 Alcorn State W
Sept 17 at Kansas State L
Sept 24 Southern Miss W
Oct 29 at Houston L
Oct 8 East Carolina W
Oct 15 at USF W
Oct 22 Memphis L
Oct 29 OPEN DATE
Nov 5 at Tulsa L
Nov 12 UCF L
Nov 17 SMU W
Nov 26 at Cincinnati L
Tulane 2022 Preview
Tulane 10 Best Players

Tulsa Golden Hurricane

2022 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2022 AAC Prediction: 3-5
2021: 7-6, Prediction: 4-8
2020: 6-3, 2019: 4-8, 2018: 3-9

Sept 3 at Wyoming L
Sept 10 Northern Illinois W
Sept 17 Jacksonville State W
Sept 24 at Ole Miss L
Oct 1 Cincinnati L
Oct 8 at Navy L
Oct 15 OPEN DATE
Oct 21 at Temple W
Oct 29 SMU L
Nov 5 Tulane W
Nov 10 at Memphis L
Nov 18 USF W
Nov 26 at Houston L
Tulsa 2022 Preview
Tulsa 10 Best Players

UCF Knights

2022 Preseason Prediction: 10-2
2022 AAC Prediction: 6-2
2021: 9-4, Prediction: 10-2
2020: 6-4, 2019: 10-3, 2018: 12-1

Sept 1 South Carolina State W
Sept 9 Louisville W
Sept 17 at Florida Atlantic W
Sept 24 Georgia Tech W
Oct 1 SMU W
Oct 8 OPEN DATE
Oct 13 Temple W
Oct 22 at East Carolina L
Oct 29 Cincinnati W
Nov 5 at Memphis L
Nov 12 at Tulane W
Nov 19 Navy W
Nov 26 at USF W
UCF 2022 Preview
UCF 10 Best Players

USF Bulls

2022 Preseason Prediction: 3-9
2022 AAC Prediction: 2-6
2021: 2-10, Prediction: 3-9
2020: 0-7, 2019: 4-8, 2018: 7-6

Sept 3 BYU L
Sept 10 Howard W
Sept 17 at Florida L
Sept 24 at Louisville L
Oct 1 East Carolina W
Oct 8 at Cincinnati L
Oct 15 Tulane L
Oct 22 OPEN DATE
Oct 29 at Houston L
Nov 5 at Temple W
Nov 12 SMU L
Nov 18 at Tulsa L
Nov 26 UCF L
USF 2022 Preview
USF 10 Best Players

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– 2022 College Football Schedules: All 131 Teams