AAC Power Rankings: Memphis Plummets, Temple No. 2

Every member of our 15-man staff provided their American Athletic Conference power rankings on Sunday afternoon, and for the first time this season, the East Carolina Pirates have received all of the first-place votes.

This has much to do with Memphis’ surprising performance in a home loss to Houston (28-24), where the Tigers blew an early 14-point lead and were outscored 14-3 in the second half. Quarterback Paxton Lynch threw a season-high three interceptions as the offense sputtered on third down (6-of-17) and coughed the ball up a total of five times.

The Cougars, led by receiver-turned-quarterback Greg Ward Jr. and monstrous linebacker Efrem Oliphant, move into fifth place of our rankings and have an opportunity to jump right back into the conference title conversation with another upset against Temple next Saturday.

Speaking of Temple, second-year coach Matt Rhule has already doubled his win total from 2013 and is sitting in the No. 2 slot. Still, two of our writers weren’t impressed with the Owls’ close call versus Tulsa (35-24), and gave them a pair fifth-place votes that put keeps Central Florida as a close No. 3.

Now with three straight losses and the 124th-ranked scoring defense (40.8 points allowed per game), Cincinnati—the AAC’s preseason favorite—falls even further to No. 6. You have to wonder if Tommy Tuberville’s job will come into question if the Bearcats, who are loaded with offensive talent, don’t improve dramatically through the remaining weeks.

South Florida, Tulsa, Tulane, UConn, and SMU fill out our 7-11 rankings, and all are in need of a miracle to become bowl eligible in 2014.

*A point system was assigned, giving 11 points for a team with a No. 1 vote, 10 points for a No. 2 vote, 9 points for a No. 3 vote, and so on.