NCAA American Conference Odds: Tulane Favored to Defend Title

AAC Set to Welcome Six New Schools for 2023-24 season

Once again, the American Athletic Conference is proving itself a major player in conference realignment. Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF are off to the Big 12. To help replace them, the AAC plucked six new schools from Conference USA: Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB, and UTSA.

Defending champion Tulane is a +175 favorite (up from opening odds of +195) to win the AAC. However, it’s far from a lock. UTSA, another of the country’s top Group of Five programs, is priced at +430. The Roadrunners leapfrogged Memphis on the odds board after opening at +650. Despite that, Memphis remains in the mix, as does SMU.

Let’s take a closer look at the NCAA American Conference odds.

THE FAVORITES

Tulane Green Wave (+175)

It’s no wonder Tulane is the odds-on favorite to defend its AAC title. The Green Wave went 12-2 last season and stunned USC in the Cotton Bowl Classic. Quarterback Michael Pratt returns, as do four of five starting offensive linemen. AAC Offensive Player of the Year Tyjae Spears departed, but this is still shaping up to be a preseason Top 25 team and popular college football picks.

UTSA Roadrunners (+430)

According to the NCAA American Conference odds, UTSA looms as the biggest threat to Tulane after winning back-to-back titles in Conference USA. Why? Look no further than the return of quarterback Frank Harris, who is back for a seventh — that’s right, seventh — season. Harris threw for 4,059 yards and 32 touchdowns in 2022 and holds more than 30 school records.

He’ll need to find a new favorite target after Zakhari Franklin, who tied for second nationally in touchdown receptions (15) and was seventh in total receptions (93), transferred to Ole Miss.

Memphis Tigers (+450)

Memphis’ hopes will again rely heavily on quarterback Seth Henigan. The three-year starter threw for 22 touchdowns and ranked 16th in the country in passing yards, with 3,571.

The Tigers will get tested early with back-to-back games against Missouri (in St. Louis), Boise State, and Tulane from Sept. 23-Oct. 13.

SMU Mustangs (+650)

SMU has a brutal non-conference schedule, with trips to Oklahoma (Sept. 9) and national runner-up TCU (Sept. 23) in the season’s first month. Nevertheless, head coach Rhett Lashlee should know plenty about his team by the time AAC play rolls around.

The biggest order of business will be replacing quarterback Tanner Mordecai, who transferred to Wisconsin. Mordecai passed for 3,524 yards and 33 touchdowns in his first and only season in Lashlee’s up-tempo offense.

 

THE CONTENDERS

Florida Atlantic Owls (+900)

Former Texas head coach Tom Herman replaces Willie Taggart, who was fired after three seasons. The Owls finished 5-7 in their final season in C-USA. If — and it’s a big if — Herman can work some of the magic he did at Houston, he’ll have Florida Atlantic back to bowl contention in a hurry. More than likely, though, it’ll take time.

North Texas Mean Green (+1800)

North Texas also underwent a change in the offseason, hiring former Washington State offensive coordinator Eric Morris as its next head coach. Morris, who replaces Seth Littrell, is well-connected within the state, having coached FCS contender Incarnate Word. Prior to that, Morris played wide receiver at Texas Tech under Mike Leach.

The Mean Green have played in three straight bowl games, so expectations are high as they transition into the AAC.

 

The Dark Horses (Odds +2000 or Longer)

East Carolina Pirates (+2600)

East Carolina opens on Sept. 2 at Michigan. Early odds have the Pirates listed as a 35.5-point underdog. Yeesh.

Assuming they get out of there relatively healthy, the Pirates may be OK down the road. But they’ll need to replace their quarterback (Holton Ahlers) and top two playmakers in running back Keaton Mitchell and wideout Isaiah Whitehead. That’s a lot to ask.

UAB Blazers (+3400)

UAB made one of the most surprising hires on the coaching carousel, tabbing former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Trent Dilfer to take over. The 51-year-old Dilfer has only coached organized football for four years, having led Lipscomb Academy, a private high school in Nashville, Tenn., to a 38-8 record.

It’s a truly out-of-the-box hire. The Blazers, who open the season Aug. 31 against North Carolina A&T, will fascinating to watch as Dilfer gets acclimated. That much is certain.

Remaining NCAA American Conference Odds: Temple (+3400), Tulsa (+3400), Navy (+4200), South Florida (+4800), Rice (+6000), Charlotte (+10000)

For NCAAF scores, betting news, analysis, and more, visit PointSpreads.

Follow us on Twitter

Can’t get enough? Here’s more!

Back to top button

pointspreads

WHO WILL WIN?

March Madness
clemson
Clemson
Arizona
Arizona
Thursday, March 28, 2024
50%
50%
March Madness
san diego st.
San Diego St.
UConn
UConn
Thursday, March 28, 2024
50%
50%
March Madness
alabama
Alabama
North Carolina
North Carolina
Thursday, March 28, 2024
50%
50%
MLB
cardinals
Cardinals
Dodgers
Dodgers
Thursday, March 28, 2024
0%
100%
MLB
cubs
Cubs
Rangers
Rangers
Thursday, March 28, 2024
0%
100%
March Madness
gonzaga
Gonzaga
Purdue
Purdue
Friday, March 29, 2024
0%
100%
March Madness
creighton
Creighton
Tennessee
Tennessee
Friday, March 29, 2024
0%
100%
Submit your vote and view the results
Hey Again

vote all you can

pointspreads

PS-email

PS-email

pointspreads

pointspreads-email

Bet like a PRO!

pointspreads-email

Subscribe now and get Weekly Expert Free Picks