What the American Athletic Conference lacks in a dominant team — each has at least two losses — it makes up for in depth and parity.
Which is the best team in the conference? South Florida, right now. So says the media panel that votes every week in the AAC power rankings.
1. USF (7-2, 4-1 AAC): The Bulls made the most of their wake-up call from an untimely loss to Temple the previous week, building a 28-point halftime lead on No. 22 Navy before holding on late for the 52-45 upset. Though USF's defense continued to struggle, especially in the fourth quarter, its offense sparkled. Quarterback Quinton Flowers and tailbacks Marlon Mack and D'Ernest Johnson combined for 408 rushing yards for the Bulls, marking the first time in program history that three USF players hit the 100-yard mark in a game. The Bulls get a needed bye week this weekend before traveling to Memphis on Nov. 12. (Last week: 3) — Jeff Odom, Tampa Bay Times
2. Navy (5-2, 4-1 AAC): The Midshipmen were brought down to earth in a big way on Friday night in Tampa. Quarterback Quinton Flowers led the way as South Florida raced to a 28-0 first quarter lead. Navy's defense could not handle the across-the-board speed of the Bulls, who led 42-14 at halftime. The Mids gave up 629 total yards. Navy will host Notre Dame at EverBank Field in Jacksonville in the 90th edition of the longest, continuous intersectional rivalry in college football. The Mids return to AAC play the following Saturday when they host Tulsa. (Last week: 1) — Bill Wagner, Baltimore Sun Media Group
3. Temple (6-3, 4-1 AAC): The Owls earned their first three-game win streak of the season with Saturday's 34-13 home victory over Cincinnati. Temple held the Bearcats to 11 yards from scrimmage in the second half. Jahad Thomas rushed for a season-high 151 yards on 17 carries. In his last four games, Ventell Bryant has caught 19 passes for 345 yards. During their three-game winning streak, the Owls have rushed for 771 yards. Temple visits UConn on Friday. The Owls clinched the AAC East title with last year's 27-3 home win over UConn. (Last week: 4) — Marc Narducci, Philadelphia Inquirer
4. Houston (7-2, 4-2 AAC): The Cougars erased a 21-point second-half deficit for a 31-24 victory over Central Florida, the third-largest comeback in school history. The defense forced four turnovers and held the Knights to a field goal and 29 yards of offense in the second half. Quarterback Greg Ward Jr. was uncharacteristically sloppy with three interceptions and a fumble. UH went 2-2 during the month and could easily have lost all four games, needing a goal line stand on the final play to beat Tulsa and the 21-point rally against UCF. The Cougars next play Nov. 12 at home against Tulane. (Last week: 2) — Joseph Duarte, The Houston Chronicle
5. Tulsa (6-2, 3-1 AAC): For the most impressive victory in the Philip Montgomery Era, the Hurricane pulled away from Memphis for a 59-30 road win Saturday that secured a second straight year of bowl eligibility. James Flanders filled in for primary back D'Angelo Brewer and delivered 249 yards and a school-record five rushing touchdowns, and the Hurricane defense sealed the win with three fourth-quarter takeaways. Up next is a home game against East Carolina. (Last week: 6) — Kelly Hines, Tulsa World
6. Memphis (5-3, 2-2 AAC): It was a tough week for the Tigers, on and off the field. Starting defensive lineman Michael Edwards retired because of personal/family reasons, two players were suspended for an altercation over video games, three of the team's top recruits decommitted and Memphis lost to Tulsa, 59-30. The Tigers committed four turnovers and 12 penalties, and gave up 362 rushing yards. Anthony Miller was a bright spot with 12 catches for a school-record 250 yards and two touchdowns. The Tigers will now return to the road with hopes of ending the first two-game losing streak of the Norvell era against SMU on Saturday. (Last week: 5) — Tom Schad, The Commercial Appeal
7. UCF (4-4, 2-2 AAC): While the Knights showed how much they have improved from 2015, they also showed how much they need to grow during a 31-24 road loss to Houston. After leading 24-3 early in the third quarter, UCF allowed the Cougars to score 28 unanswered points. It marked the second time this season the Knights gave up a sizeable first half lead. Despite the loss, redshirt junior linebacker Shaquem Griffin was named the league's defensive player of the week (14 tackles, 2.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and his first career interception). UCF will look to rebound Saturday at home again Tulane. (Last week: 7) — Shannon Green, Orlando Sentinel
8. SMU (4-4, 2-2 AAC): SMU avoided a letdown after its monumental win over Houston with a 35-31 road victory against Tulane. The Mustangs dominated the first half but fell behind by 10 with nine minutes left. SMU rallied behind the arm of quarterback Ben Hicks. Just how good are the Ponies? Saturday's game against a good Memphis team with a lot riding on the line should be telling. (Last week: 9) — EJ Holland, Dallas Morning News
9. Cincinnati (4-4, 1-4 AAC): The Bearcats come off a 34-13 loss at Temple, with UC gaining only 11 total yards in the second half. UC quarterback Gunner Kiel threw for 122 yards and two touchdowns in the first half, both to wide receiver Devin Gray. But Kiel was just 1-for-6 passing in the second half for minus-3 yards. The Bearcats have a stiff challenge this week against BYU (4-4). UC puts a 30-game Nippert Stadium non-conference winning streak on the line. (Last week: 8) — Tom Groeschen, Cincinnati Enquirer
10. East Carolina (3-5, 1-3 AAC): With East Carolina's only win in the month of October coming last Saturday against Connecticut, the Pirates were given a late-season lifeline. Now, the motivation is to win three of their final four games to swipe an unlikely bowl bid. The competition is stiff, beginning this week at Tulsa and continuing against SMU, Navy and Temple to finish the regular season. Senior receiver Zay Jones continued to stride toward the Football Bowl Subdivision receptions record held by former teammate Justin Hardy, rattling off 19 more catches against the Huskies. (Last week: 11) — Nathan Summers, The Daily Reflector
11. UConn (3-6, 1-5 AAC): The Huskies' 41-3 loss at East Carolina had coach Bob Diaco using descriptions such as "pathetic" and "ridiculous." Quarterback Bryant Shirreffs said he was embarrassed for everyone involved. It was a complete beat-down, the second-worst loss of the three-year Diaco era (by point margin) and probably the worst in how it made the team look and feel. The Huskies, who have lost three in a row and five of six, are in a mess of a situation that they'll try to start cleaning up Friday night at home against Temple. (Last week: 10) — Mike Anthony, The Hartford Courant
12. Tulane (3-5, 0-4 AAC): The Green Wave defense struggled to live up to the reputation it built early in the season once again on Saturday after giving up a touchdown in the final minute of the game to fall to SMU, 35-31. After starting the season 3-2, Tulane has lost each of its last three games and play three of its final four games on the road. If Tulane coach Willie Fritz can't get his defense back on track soon, it may be a tough road for the Green Wave to finish the year. (Last week: 12) — Will Guillory, The Times-Picayune