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2015 College Football Preview: AAC
By: Staff Writer - StatFox
Published: 8/10/2015  at  12:36:00 PM
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2015 College Football Preview: American Athletic Conference

To get you prepared for the upcoming college football season, we begin our run of all FBS conference previews over the next several weeks. First up is the American Athletic Conference:

CINCINNATI BEARCATS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 9-4
ATS Record: 7-5
Over/Under: 5-7
Points Scored: 34.0 PPG (31st in FBS)
Points Allowed: 27.2 PPG (69th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field)

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 5
The Bearcats are stacked offensively with junior QB Gunner Kiel (31 TD,13 INT) and a senior quartet of WRs Shaq Washington (761 rec yds, 4 TD) Mekale McKay (725 rec yds, 8 TD), Chris Moore (673 rec yds, 8 TD) and Max Morrison (458 rec yds, 4 TD). The ground game is improving. The defense is thin up front, but S Zach Edwards (121 tackles) leads a tested secondary.

CONNECTICUT HUSKIES

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 2-10
ATS Record: 2-10
Over/Under: 5-6
Points Scored: 15.5 PPG (125th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 29.8 PPG (86th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field)

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 6
Defense: Starters Returning: 9
Athletic NC State transfer QB Bryant Shirreffs is the likely starter for new OC Frank Verducci, but this signal caller has very little in the way of receivers to throw to. UConn’s running backs are mediocre, but have a seasoned O-Line to run behind. The Huskies must improve their paltry 13 sacks, but have all starting linebackers and defensive backs to help their subpar D-Line.

EAST CAROLINA PIRATES

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 8-5
ATS Record: 5-8
Over/Under: 6-7
Points Scored: 35.8 PPG (23rd in FBS)
Points Allowed: 25.8 PPG (54th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field)

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 6
Defense: Starters Returning: 5
Despite QB Shane Carden and WR Justin Hardy leaving, ECU has plenty of offensive talent. Sophomore QB Kurt Benkert (8-10, 58 pass yds) has a great No. 1 target in WR Isaiah Jones (830 rec yds) and RB Chris Hairston (6.7 YPC) has 1,000-yard potential. The defense should remain solid with seniors ILB Zeek Bigger (140 tackles) and CB Josh Hawkins (5 INT) leading the way.

HOUSTON COUGARS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 8-5
ATS Record: 7-5
Over/Under: 5-7
Points Scored: 29.8 PPG (60th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 20.6 PPG (15th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field)

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 6
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
New head coach Tom Herman, formerly Ohio State’s OC, knows how to run an offense, especially on the ground. He’ll rely heavily on senior RB Kenneth Farrow (1,037 rush yds) to take pressure off dual-threat QB Greg Ward Jr. (7.6 YPA, 12 TD; 4.9 YPC, 6 TD). New DC Todd Orlando inherits a strong defense, especially OLB Steven Taylor (4 sacks) and SS Adrian McDonald (5 INT).

MEMPHIS TIGERS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 10-3
ATS Record: 8-5
Over/Under: 8-5
Points Scored: 36.2 PPG (22nd in FBS)
Points Allowed: 19.5 PPG (11th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field)

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 3
QB Paxton Lynch (35 total TD) tries to build on a season-ending, seven-game win streak with a deep group of receivers. Four O-Line starters return to protect Lynch and create holes for RB Jarvis Cooper (5.0 YPC). The defense will suffer plenty of lumps having to break in eight new starters.

NAVY MIDSHIPMEN

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 8-5
ATS Record: 6-7
Over/Under: 4-7
Points Scored: 31.8 PPG (46th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 27.3 PPG (71st in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field)

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 5
Defense: Starters Returning: 6
Senior QB Keenan Reynolds (1,191 rush yds, 23 TD) expertly runs the triple-option that produced 338.1 rushing YPG (2nd in nation), but only two O-Line starters remain. LB Daniel Gonzales (86 tackles) stands out among a weak front seven, but CBs Quincy Adams and Brendon Clements are excellent.

SMU MUSTANGS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 1-11
ATS Record: 4-8
Over/Under: 8-4
Points Scored: 11.1 PPG (128th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 41.3 PPG (127th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field)

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
New head coach Chad Morris (Clemson OC) can only improve SMU’s FBS-low 11.1 PPG and 269.0 YPG (2nd-worst in nation). QB Matt Davis (5.2 YPA) will operate the fast-paced spread attack with help from WRs Darius Joseph (379 rec yds) and Deion Sanders Jr. (188 rec yds). New DC Van Malone (Okla. St. DB coach) hopes his aggressive defense increases its 16 takeaways.

SOUTH FLORIDA BULLS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 4-8
ATS Record: 6-6
Over/Under: 4-8
Points Scored: 17.2 PPG (119th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 27.0 PPG (66th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field)

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 5
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
The Bulls rarely scored last season (17.2 PPG, T-9th-fewest in FBS) and hope junior QB Quinton Flowers (8-20, 111 yds, 2 INT) is an upgrade from Mike White, who transferred. The receiving corps is weak, but Flowers (5.6 YPC) and RB Marlon Mack (1,041 rush yds, 9 TD) can both run. New DC Tom Allen (Ole Miss LB coach) should have a decent defense in his new 4-2-5 set.

TEMPLE OWLS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 6-6
ATS Record: 6-6
Over/Under: 3-8
Points Scored: 23.1 PPG (100th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 17.5 PPG (4th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field)

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 11
The Owls return 19 starters, and also welcome back RB Zaire Williams (533 rush yds in 2013) who missed 2014 with a back ailment. Junior QB P.J. Walker (13 TD, 15 INT) needs to step his game up, and has a strong O-Line, but subpar pass catchers. The entire defense is outstanding, especially DE Praise Martin-Oguike (7.5 sacks) and LB Tyler Matakevich (117 tackles).

TULANE GREEN WAVE

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 3-9
ATS Record: 4-8
Over/Under: 5-7
Points Scored: 16.0 PPG (124th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 28.4 PPG (81st in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field)

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 8
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
Six-foot-4 QB Tanner Lee (12 TD, 14 INT) took his lumps as a freshman, but has WR Teddy Veal (318 rec yds) and TE Charles Jones (3 TD) to help him grow. A seasoned O-Line will help RBs Sherman Badie (688 rush yds) and Lazedrick Thompson (533 rush yds). Tulane’s playmaking defense (18 INT) is paced by LB Nico Marley (82 tackles) and CB Parry Nickerson (6 INT).

TULSA GOLDEN HURRICANE

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 2-10
ATS Record: 5-7
Over/Under: 10-2
Points Scored: 24.7 PPG (94th in FBS)
Points Allowed: 39.3 PPG (122nd in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field)

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 10
Defense: Starters Returning: 7
New head coach Philip Montgomery (Baylor OC) has the tools to run his spread offense with QB Dane Evans (23 TD, 17 INT), WR Keevan Lucas (1,219 rec yds, 11 TD) and RB Zack Langer (801 rush yds). New DC Bill Young loves DE Derrick Alexander (7.5 sacks) and S Michael Mudoh (113 tackles).

UCF BLACK KNIGHTS

2014 Statistics:
SU Record: 9-4
ATS Record: 8-5
Over/Under: 7-5
Points Scored: 28.1 PPG (72nd in FBS)
Points Allowed: 19.2 PPG (9th in FBS)
Odds to Win 2015 BCS National Championship: 75/1 (Field)

2015 Preview:
Offense: Starters Returning: 5
Defense: Starters Returning: 4
Junior QB Justin Holman (7.5 YPA, 23 TD, 14 INT) will miss star wideout Breshad Perriman, but versatile RB William Stanback (697 rush yds, 10 TD) can also catch. The defense lost a ton, including every secondary starter. DE Thomas Niles (7.5 sacks) and OLB Chequan Burkett (40 tackles) are back.


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