2026 College Football Predictions: American Athletic Conference

I made some solid predictions about this conference last year. This year though, the conference sees a bunch of new coaches. The teams that did well last year saw coaches and players leave, and it all depends on how much these schools can reload with all new staffs. The current college football landscape helps teams change quickly.

I think South Florida will be the team that wins the conference. Brian Hartline is going to show the world he deserved a top-tier coaching position. He did well in the portal, and if he wins the conference in year one, he could be in line for a P4 job in record time.

Intriguing Team: Temple. Yep, they were my intriguing team last year as well. I like what K.C. Keeler did last season, and this year I think he gets to a bowl game. I hope that Jaxon Smolik performs well for the Owls, I love rooting for former Nittany Lions.

Hot Seat: I do not think there are any coaches on the hot seat in the American. There are only three coaches who have been on the job before 2024.