AAC Championship Predictions, Sleeper Teams and Busts – 2023 College Football Season

2023 AAC Championship Preview

WagerTalk college football contributor Kyle Kargel gives his AAC Championship betting preview heading into the 2023 college football season! Which AAC team could surprise some, disappoint and who is the best bet to win the conference championship come December? Read up on AAC Championship predictions, sleeper teams and busts now!

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AAC Teams	Odds to Win AAC Championship (from DraftKings)
Tulane	+210
SMU	+370
UTSA	+450
Memphis	+600
Florida Atlantic	+700
North Texas	+2500
East Carolina	+2500
Navy	+3000
Temple	+4500
UAB	+4500
South Florida	+5000
Tulsa	+5500
Rice	+7000
Charlotte	+20000

 

Past AAC Championship Winners

2022: Tulane Green Wave
2021: Cincinnati Bearcats
2020: Cincinnati Bearcats
2019: Memphis Tigers
2018: UCF Knights
2017: UCF Knights
2016: Temple Owls
2015: Houston Cougars

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AAC Championship Sleeper – Florida Atlantic (+700)

Tom Herman takes the helm at Florida Atlantic after going 32-18 in four years at Texas from 2017-2020. This will be the Owls’ first year in the AAC after going 5-7 in their last season in Conference USA.

Florida Atlantic will have a new look at QB with Casey Thompson transferring from Nebraska as Thompson was once sought out by Herman when recruiting at Texas.

His career stats include a TD:INT ratio of 47:19 as Florida Atlantic will return leading rusher Larry McCammon who averaged 5.2 yards per carry and seven touchdowns in 2022. Ten of 11 starters return on defense which is most in the AAC.

They were middle of the pack as far as Conference USA defense is concerned, but they’ll see familiar foes who also made the move to the AAC in UAB and Charlotte.

Their toughest stretch of the season will be three of their last four games at UAB, vs East Carolina and vs Tulane.

Combined those schools went 27-13 and if Florida Atlantic can win two of those games somehow, they should be in contention to be one of the top two teams playing for the AAC Championship come December.

AAC Championship Bust – SMU (+370)

There’s no doubt SMU can improve from their 7-6 2022 campaign but tons of changes has us doubting their chances to bring home an AAC Championship come December.

There will be 24 new faces on the team from transfers alone as well as a new starting QB in Preston Stone who hasn’t seen much playing time at SMU so far.

They lost their top WR in Rashee Rice as well as their top four tacklers on defense. Among AAC teams last season they gave up the second most ppg at 34.7 and allowed the third most rushing yards per game at 203.2. They avoid conference contenders in Tulane and UTSA but play at East Carolina and at Memphis as well.

SMU led the conference in passing yards per game and points per game last season but we have a hard time believing they’ll be able to put up over 37 ppg again this season with a new starting QB at the helm. Even if they can still score 30 ppg, they’re in danger of finishing around .500 again this season as well.

AAC Championship Expert Prediction – Tulane (+210)

Let’s face it, the Green Wave got kind of lucky in their 46-45 Cotton Bowl win last season, but that doesn’t take away how dominant they were in AAC play.

QB Michael Pratt returns for the Green Wave as well as four of five offensive line starters and all starters on the defensive line as well. When you look at the AAC standings in 2022 UCF and Cincinnati finished tied for 2nd and are both playing in different conferences in 2023.

SMU finished 3rd who Tulane avoids on the regular season schedule. The Green Wave’s biggest threat will be incoming UTSA blasting their way into the AAC going 11-3 and a perfect 8-0 in Conference USA play en route to a 48-27 championship game win over North Texas.

That UTSA vs Tulane game will be the last on the regular season schedule for each being played at Tulane. They lost some explosiveness on offense but did bring in former Troy Defensive Coordinator Shiel Wood who should maintain a solid defense that lost their top five tacklers.

With all things considered head coach Willie Fritz and QB Pratt should keep this high octane offense on track in 2023 as they won five of their seven conference games by double digits in 2022.

College Football and NFL Week 1 Betting

Steve Merril and Teddy Covers run through betting tips and advice when it comes to betting the first week of college football and NFL action. Which type of approach should you be taking and how should you be betting? Listen to their insightful betting knowledge now!

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