PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Four American Athletic Conference football teams – Houston, Navy, Temple and Memphis – are ranked in the top 25 of both the Associated Press poll and the Amway USA Today Coaches’ Poll released Sunday.
The American, which has had three top-25 teams in each of the three previous polls, has one-third of its members ranked in Sunday’s poll. The four American Athletic Conference teams in this week’s rankings have a combined record of 32-3.
The American joins the SEC and the Big 12 with four top-25 teams in this week’s polls.
Houston, one of six remaining unbeaten teams nationally, moved up to No. 16 from No. 18 in both polls after the Cougars’ 33-30 win against Cincinnati Saturday. Houston is 9-0 overall and 5-0 in the American Athletic Conference, marking the second 9-0 start in program history. The Cougars have won 10 straight games, dating to last season, and have scored at least 30 points in 13 consecutive games.
Temple likewise moved up two places in the national polls as the Owls check in at No. 21 in both rankings. Temple has been ranked in the top 25 for four consecutive weeks, the longest stretch in school history. The Owls defeated SMU, 60-40, last Friday, putting the team in position to clinch The American’s East Division title if Temple defeats USF this weekend.
Navy is ranked in the top 25 for the first time since the end of the 2004 season as the Midshipmen enter the polls at No. 22 in the Associated Press poll and No. 23 in the coaches’ poll. Navy is off to a 7-1 start for the first time since 2004 on the heels of a 45-20 win at Memphis, while the Midshipmen are tied with Houston at 5-0 in The American. Navy looks for its first 8-1 start since 1963 when it hosts SMU Saturday.
Memphis, which saw its 15-game winning streak snapped by Navy yesterday, remains in the national polls at No. 25 in both rankings. The Tigers are a combined 18-4 in the last two seasons and will take an 8-1 overall record and a 4-1 conference mark into Saturday’s key West Division showdown at Houston.
AP Top 25
Coaches' Poll