Yesterday, we talked about players to watch in the AAC. Today, we’ll predict which team(s) will be the most pleasant surprise in 2016.
Q: Which team will surprise in the American Athletic Conference this fall?
Terry Johnson:
On Twitter @SectionTPJ
This is a tough one to call.
I like South Florida to win the Eastern Division. The three-headed trio of Quinton Flowers, Marlon Mack, and Rodney Adams is arguably the best in the country, and will be a nightmare for opposing defenses to stop. On the other side of the ball, the Bull defense returns seven starters from last year’s squad that finished third in the conference in run defense, allowing just 141 yards per game.
Once again, Houston will win the West. Sure, the Cougars lose 11 starters from last season’s AAC Championship squad, but as the past few seasons have taught us, a Tom Herman-coached team will always be prepared to win, regardless of who’s in the lineup. The offense should have no trouble scoring points, as Greg Ward returns along with three of his top four targets from last year’s squad. Defensively, UH should be in good shape with top pass rushers Steven Taylor (18.5 TFL, 10 sacks and Tyus Bowser (5.5 sacks) coming back this fall.
So, who will win?
While it’ll be an exciting game, I like Houston to repeat as conference champions. Expect the Cougars to win a shootout by coming up with a crucial stop late in the game.
Kevin Causey
On Twitter @CFBZ
If you are playing at home and your choice is Houston…..you are correct!
Houston’s one conference loss last year came at UConn. This year they get the revenge game at home.
I love what Tom Herman has done with the Cougars. He has them playing at a very high level and he has them fully bought into his system. They believe and so should you.
I expect Houston to go undefeated in the AAC in 2016.
Joe Dexter
On Twitter @BuckeyeRadio
Since the decision is unanimous, I will focus on an underrated reason to favor the Houston Cougars as the repeat champions of the AAC
We know about Tom Herman and his emerging coordinators Major Applewhite and Todd Orlando. Greg Ward popped on the scene as the best dual-threat quarterback in the country not named Deshaun Watson.
One of the most underrated and unheralded talents in college football though that will stir the Cougar’s winning drink is senior cornerback Brandon Wilson — who has brought dynamic plays to all three facets of the game.
In fact, he was the only player in the country last season to score multiple touchdowns on offense, defense, and special teams.
He is such a key cog for the Cougars in 2016. If Tom Herman’s offense can’t run the ball with success, he can lean on Wilson. If they need a guy to find the edge in the passing game, he can lean on Wilson.
On special teams, he’ll lean on Wilson — a player that averaged over 26 yards per kickoff return.
Most important is his ability defensively, as one of the best cover corners in the conference.
Wilson embodies what Houston is all about and why they should be favored as repeat champions, despite replacing four offensive lineman, three starting defensive backs, and one of the best running backs in the conference last year in Kenneth Farrow.
Dynamic, versatile, and willing to fill in wherever needed in order to win a championship.
