As I sit here watching a highlight reel of last season's American Athletic Conference games, I can't help but reflect on that quote from the young golf student - "No expectations - just focus shot by shot." That mentality perfectly captures where AAC football finds itself today in the landscape of college football. Having covered this conference since its inception in 2013, I've witnessed both its struggles and triumphs firsthand, and I genuinely believe the gap between the AAC and Power 5 isn't as wide as many traditionalists would have you believe.
Let me be clear from the outset - I'm not suggesting the AAC can consistently compete with Alabama or Ohio State year in and year out. But when we look at the middle tier of Power 5 conferences versus the top of the AAC, the lines are increasingly blurry. Remember when UCF declared themselves national champions after going undefeated in 2017? While many laughed, they made a legitimate point about being undefeated against their schedule, including a Peach Bowl victory over Auburn who had beaten both Alabama and Georgia that same season. The Knights outgained Auburn by 150 yards in that game, completing 72% of their passes while holding Auburn to just 3.8 yards per carry. Those aren't fluke statistics - that's legitimate football execution against a traditional SEC power.
The financial disparities are real and substantial, let's not kid ourselves. The average Power 5 program operates with approximately $35 million more in annual athletic department revenue than their AAC counterparts. SEC schools receive about $45 million annually from their conference television deal alone, while AAC schools get roughly $7 million. That's a canyon-sized gap that affects everything from facility upgrades to assistant coach salaries. I've walked through both types of facilities, and the difference in weight rooms, training facilities, and even nutrition programs is immediately apparent. Yet despite this, Cincinnati still managed to recruit and develop Desmond Ridder, who's now starting in the NFL, and they did it with resources that would be considered bottom-tier in the Big Ten.
What fascinates me most is how AAC programs have learned to maximize their limited resources. They've become the ultimate underdogs, adopting that "focus shot by shot" mentality the young golfer described. Instead of trying to compete across the board like Power 5 programs, they identify specific strengths and build around them. Houston under Dana Holgorsen has focused heavily on Texas recruiting, leveraging their location in one of the nation's richest talent pools. They signed 15 players from Texas in their 2022 class, including two four-star recruits who had offers from Oklahoma and Texas. Memphis has built an offensive identity around speed and creativity that consistently puts up 35+ points per game, ranking 12th nationally in scoring offense last season. These programs understand they can't win the resource war, so they've become specialists in specific areas where they can compete.
The transfer portal has become the great equalizer, and AAC programs have been particularly adept at using it. When I spoke with several AAC coaches last spring, they emphasized how they've turned the portal into a strategic advantage. While Power 5 programs often chase five-star high school recruits, AAC teams have become masters at identifying and developing overlooked talent. Cincinnati built their playoff team around transfers like quarterback Desmond Ridder and cornerback Ahmad Gardner, both of whom became NFL draft picks. SMU has leveraged the portal to bring in Power 5 talent looking for immediate playing time, adding 14 transfers in the 2022 cycle alone, including former Oregon and Texas players. This approach has allowed them to quickly upgrade their roster without winning traditional recruiting battles.
Television exposure and scheduling have been crucial in narrowing the perceived gap. The AAC's media rights deal with ESPN, while financially inferior to Power 5 contracts, provides national television exposure that helps with recruiting and brand building. Last season, AAC teams appeared on ABC or ESPN 28 times, giving them visibility that rivals many Power 5 programs. When Tulane shocked USC in the Cotton Bowl, they did it in front of millions of viewers on national television, completing a remarkable turnaround from 2-10 to 12-2 in just two seasons. Their quarterback Michael Pratt threw for 234 yards and 2 touchdowns against a Trojan defense that included potential first-round draft picks. Games like that change perceptions, and I've noticed recruiting rankings slowly ticking upward for AAC programs in recent cycles.
The conference's geographical footprint creates both challenges and opportunities. Spanning from Texas to Florida and up through the Carolinas to Pennsylvania, the AAC sits squarely in talent-rich territories. This gives them access to recruiting grounds that produce approximately 45% of all FBS signees annually. USF's location in Tampa puts them minutes away from one of Florida's most productive high school football regions, while Temple benefits from their Philadelphia location near traditional northeast football powerhouses. What they've lacked in resources, they've made up for in strategic positioning and relentless evaluation. I've watched AAC assistants outwork their Power 5 counterparts on the recruiting trail, often evaluating hundreds of players to find the few gems others overlooked.
Looking forward, the landscape is shifting rapidly with conference realignment. The AAC lost three of its strongest programs to the Big 12, which certainly hurts short-term credibility. But they responded by adding six new members from Conference USA, including UAB, UTSA, and North Texas - programs with potential and geographical fit. While these newcomers may need time to adjust, they bring competitive budgets and commitment to football that should maintain the conference's overall strength. The new television deal, while not matching Power 5 money, represents a 35% increase over their previous agreement, providing additional resources to compete.
The path forward for the AAC isn't about becoming the next SEC - it's about embracing their role as the premier Group of Five conference while strategically picking their spots against Power 5 opponents. They need to continue developing niche advantages, whether through innovative schemes, transfer portal mastery, or geographic recruiting focus. The "tricky course" the young golfer described perfectly mirrors the AAC's situation - they can't match Power 5 programs drive for drive, but they can compete shot by shot, game by game. When Cincinnati made the playoff in 2021, they proved the ceiling exists. The challenge now is raising the floor across the entire conference. Based on what I've seen developing over the past decade, I'm optimistic they're building toward sustainable competitiveness that will continue to pressure the traditional college football hierarchy. The gap hasn't closed completely, but it's narrow enough that on any given Saturday, an AAC team can stand toe-to-toe with most Power 5 programs and not just compete - but win.
