AAC Football 2023: Week 7 Roundup

AAC Football was back in action this weekend. Here’s the latest from the teams on the gridiron in Week 7.

TeamRecord This WeekResultUp Next
Charlotte1-5 (o-2)vs NavyL, 14-0at ECU
ECU1-5 (0-2)vs SMUL, 31-10vs Charlotte
FAU3-3 (2-0)vs USFW, 56-14vs UTSA
Memphis4-2 (1-1)vs TulaneL, 31-21at UAB
Navy3-3 (2-2)at CharlotteW, 14-0vs Air Force
North Texas3-3 (1-1)vs TempleW, 45-14at Tulane
Rice3-3 (1-1) — —at Tulsa
SMU4-2 (2-0)at ECUW, 31-10at Temple
Temple2-4 (0-3)at North TexasL, 41-14vs SMU
Tulane5-1 (2-0)at MemphisW, 31-21vs North Texas
Tulsa3-3 (1-1) — —vs Rice
UAB2-4 (1-2)at UTSAL, 41-20vs Memphis
USF3-4 (2-2)at FAUL, 56-14at UConn
UTSA2-3 (2-0)vs UABW, 41-20at FAU

Notable Results (Standings)

The wave roll

Tulane edged out Memphis in a battle of AAC heavyweights on Friday night, outlasting the Tigers in a very close game, proving the Green Wave is still the team to beat in this league until further notice. That said, the performance from the Tigers was impressive. If they continue to play that well, a rematch in a few months is well within the range of possibilities.

The usual suspects

As recently as a few weeks ago, there looked to be some upheaval near the top of the standings. Entering the second half, though, it’s a not-so-surprising cast at the top of the standings. Tulane, SMU, FAU and UTSA are all undefeated in conference play. Add in Memphis, whose only loss was the aforementioned nailbiter to Tulane, and you have the top five teams of the AAC preseason media poll.

Charlotte is down bad

The 49ers became the first AAC team to be shut out this season, failing to score any points against Navy. The conference has faced a rigorous nonconference slate, but to this point, every team in the AAC had scored at least some points in each game… until Charlotte delivered the first goose egg. It was always going to be a tough transition for Biff Poggi in year one, but it’s looking even more arduous now.

Looking ahead – Key storylines

Finding the true contenders

At times it’s felt as if UTSA and FAU have had to scratch and claw their way to their respective 3-3 starts to the season. Tough schedules, injuries and poor play have taken some wind out of their respective sails, but both remain alive in the conference title hunt. Even though a loss wouldn’t be a full disqualifier, a win in their upcoming matchup next weekend would keep those aspirations alive.

Sifting through the middle

Rice and Tulsa sit smack dab in the middle of the conference standings at 1-1. They’ve both delivered more impressive outings than the winless teams (Charlotte, ECU and Temple), but they lack the consistency of some of the leagues’ better squads. This feels like a fairly even fight that could boost the winner ever so slightly and help keep bowl dreams alive.

Bottom Bowl

Charlotte and ECU were at the bottom of our midseason power rankings going into the weekend and that’s where they’ll stay until they show some life. That proof could come this week when they face each other in a battle that will likely be the best shot for either of these squads to claim a conference win this season.