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American Conference Football Rankings: Spring 2026 First Look
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- American Conference Football Rankings: Spring 2026 First Look
Several American Conference teams are dealing with major changes, making this a huge spring to try to remain the best of the leagues outside of the Power Four.
Memphis, Tulane, USF, North Texas, and to a point, UAB are all dealing with coaching changes, and everyone - other than Army and Navy - is trying to deal with massive personnel issues through the transfer portal.
Before spring football gets rolling, here's our first look ranking of all 14 teams.
Ranking Every American Conference Team Heading Into Spring Practice
Nov 15, 2025; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Braxton Woodson (5) and teammates celebrate after the game against the South Florida Bulls during the second half at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Navy Midshipmen defeated South Florida Bulls 41-28. © Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
14 Charlotte
Last year was about the rebuild under Tim Albin, and now the team needs to be merely competent. But there are still way too many pieces to put together.
2025 Record:1-11
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 114 | Final: 135
Top Transfer:Mathias Nielsen, OT Virginia Union
Top Transfer Lost:Javen Nicholas, WR to Duke
Season OpenerThe Citadel Sept. 5
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13 Rice
Scott Abell is fighting the good fight, but there are way too many lost players. The system is good, the coaching is great, and now it's up to the spring to find the parts.
2025 Record:5-8
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 101 | Final: 107
Top Transfer:Koa Akui, S Sacramento State
Top Transfer Lost:Chase Jenkins, QB to Kansas
Season OpenerHouston Christian Sept. 5
12 UAB
There won't be miracles right away under Alex Mortensen, but the Blazers are about to be dangerous. The staff came up with a loaded class for the secondary.
2025 Record:4-8
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 105 | Final: 118
Top Transfer:Draden Fullbright, CB Oklahoma State
Top Transfer Lost:Jayshon Platt, WR to Illinois
Season Openerat Illinois Sept. 5
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11 Tulsa
Tulsa had a quietly strong run in the transfer portal. Head coach Tre Lamb might not have the players to be a powerhouse, but there's a whole lot to like.
2025 Record:4-8
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 130 | Final: 111
Top Transfer:Kyran Duhon, EDGE Tulsa
Top Transfer Lost:Brody Foley, TE to Louisville
Season OpenerOklahoma State Sept. 5
10 Florida Atlantic
The Zach Kittley offense didn't take flight quite yet, but the attack showed off the talent for others to pick off. Even so, QB Caden Veltkamp will make it fly.
2025 Record:4-8
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 92 | Final: 114
Top Transfer:Tucker Holloway, WR Virginia Tech
Top Transfer Lost:Iverson Hooks, WR to Oregon
Season Openerat Florida Sept. 5
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9 North Texas
There won't be the same fireworks under new coach Neal Brown, but the overall production should't be bad, even with Eric Morris and 16 players off to Oklahoma State.
2025 Record:12-2
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 93 | Final: 40
Top Transfer:Tayven Jackson, QB UCF
Top Transfer Lost:Drew Mestemaker, QB to Oklahoma State
Season Openerat Indiana Sept. 5
8 UTSA
Several top pieces are gone through the portal, but QB Owen McCown is back, and the passing game should be a force again.
2025 Record:7-6
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 74 | Final: 89
Top Transfer:Eddy Smith, DT Texas Tech
Top Transfer Lost:Davin Martin, CB to Texas Tech
Season OpenerUT-Rio Grande Valley Sept. 5
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7 Army
Army should be ready to go right away on offense, but the replacements have to step up on defense. There's a shot at a special season if the secondary comes together.
2025 Record:7-6
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 84 | Final: 78
Top Transfer:None
Top Transfer Lost:Josh Manacke, OT to James Madison
Season OpenerBryant Sept. 5
6 USF
Alex Golesh left for Auburn, and he took a boatload of stars with him. Brian Hartline has a decent-looking defensive front, but the offensive star power has to be replaced.
2025 Record:9-4
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 71 | Final: 41
Top Transfer:CJ Hicks, EDGE Ohio State
Top Transfer Lost:Bryrum Brown, QB to Auburn
Season OpenerFIU, Sept. 5
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5 Temple
Is Temple about to make a run? This might be the AAC's sleeper team to watch. KC Keeler is putting together something great with a huge haul in the portal.
2025 Record:5-7
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 113 | Final: 92
Top Transfer:Ransom McDermott, OT Louisville
Top Transfer Lost:Sekou Kromah, DT (Undecided)
Season OpenerRhode Island Sept. 5
4 East Carolina
After a solid season, the Pirates were hit way too hard in the transfer portal, but the program under Blake Harrell has been able to overcome rebuilding jobs before.
2025 Record:9-4
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 91 | Final: 42
Top Transfer:Ray Ray Joseph, WR Miami
Top Transfer Lost:Katin Houser, QB to Illinois
Season Openerat Alabama Sept. 5
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3 Memphis
Yeah, Ryan Silverfield took a slew of players with him to Arkansas, but Charles Huff made up for it with a TON of transfers to fill in the gaps. The offseason will be a ton of work.
2025 Record:8-5
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 72 | Final: 66
Top Transfer:Ian Foster, S Memphis
Top Transfer Lost:Sutton Smith, RB to Arkansas
Season Openerat UNLV, Aug. 29
2 Tulane
New head coach Will Hall has a rebuilding job to do with a roster gutted by the portal. Enough playmakers return to adjust and be a factor again, but it'll be a busy offseason.
2025 Record:11-3
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 69 | Final: 37
Top Transfer:Jaylin Lucas, RB Florida State
Top Transfer Lost:Jahiem Johnson, CB to Arkansas
Season Openerat Duke Sept. 5
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1 Navy
The machine won't stop. Most of the offensive backfield has to be replaced, but it's Navy - you know how this works. The lines should be a plus, and the defense returns enough to be a killer.
2025 Record:11-2
2025 CFN Rankings
Preseason: 73 | Final: 39
Top Transfer:None
Top Transfer Lost:Justin Ross, CB to Virginia
Season OpenerTowson Sept. 5
Related: Big Ten Football Rankings: Spring 2026 First Look
This story was originally published by College Football News on Feb 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
