Now that we’ve reviewed the Sun Belt, the MAC, the Mountain West, and Conference USA, it’s time to take a look at the last Group of Five Conference: the AAC. This week, we’ll provide a list of players to watch, surprise teams, and of course, who will win the league.
Q: Who is the player to watch in the American Athletic Conference?
Joe Dexter
On Twitter @BuckeyeRadio
As I wrote in my 5 underrated running backs piece and the South Florida Preview, Marlon Mack is one of the best players in the country. Definitely keep an eye out for him this fall.
Terry Johnson:
On Twitter @SectionTPJ
I’ll go with Greg Ward of Houston.
Make no mistake about it: Ward is one of the most difficult quarterbacks to prepare for because he can beat you in so many ways. He’s an excellent passer, completing 67.1% of his passes for 5,148 yards and 30 TDs in his career. Yet, he’s also a great runner, leading the Cougars with 1,108 yards and 21 TDs rushing last season.
It’s also worth noting that like all great players, Ward is at his best against elite competition. In his career, he’s completed 65.4% of his passes and averaged 326.33 yards of total offense against ranked opponents, including a 305-yard performance in a 38-24 win over Florida State in the Peach Bowl.
With numbers like that, don’t be surprised if he’s a Heisman Trophy finalist, especially if Houston has another big season.
Bart Doan:
UConn is in the early seat for “really good defense you probably haven’t seen” and no defenses have even taken the field, yet. They gave up 19.5 points per game, good enough for top 20 in the nation. Arguably their most notable strength is in the secondary, led by junior Jamar Summers.
Summers picked off eight passes last season, good enough for second best in the nation. He should only be getting better. Summers also has a penchant for being clutch. He recorded the only UConn score last year in a 7-3 win over Tulane and then registered probably the biggest pick of his young career, against Houston late as the nationally ranked Cougars were attempting a go-ahead score.
The first team all-AAC pick in 2015 isn’t necessarily a household name, but with picks and a penchant for being a good, and willing tackler, plus the premium that gets placed on good lock down defensive backs at the next level, the 6’0″ Summers is a guy you will without question hear more about.
Whether you watch a lot of AAC or not. Remember the name.
