Editor's Note: Welcome to the 2022 debut of the "RFC MYC", with the "MYC" initials standing for "Mark Your Calendars". The purpose of the previews at the Real Football Central blog is to present the schedules of every college football team outside of the so-called "Power Five" conferences (ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12, and SEC), throughout the mid-to-late spring, as well as the summer of 2022. As to what the "Group Of Five" conferences are, they consist of the following conferences:
American Athletic Conference (AAC)
Conference USA (C-USA)
Mid-American Conference (MAC)
Mountain West Conference (MWC)
Sun Belt Conference (SBC)
So, once again, what are we waiting for? Let's get started.
American Athletic Conference (FBS Group Of Five)
Overview: After becoming the first-ever team from a current "Group Of Five" conference to advance to the College Football Playoff (CFP), what can the University of Cincinnati Bearcats (13-1 overall in 2021) do for an encore? With former standout quarterback Desmond Ridder currently trying to make his mark with the Atlanta Falcons after being drafted in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the Bearcats will have their work cut out for them in terms of even returning to a New Year's Six Bowl, never mind the CFP. UC has critical early-season tests against the likes of Arkansas, Miami (Ohio), and Indiana before beginning the defense of their American Athletic Conference (AAC) title at Tulsa on October 1.
The only other team to finish AAC regular-season play undefeated was the University of Houston Cougars. After losing their 2021 season-opener to Texas Tech on September 4, the Cougars reeled off 11 straight wins before losing to Cincinnati in the AAC title game on December 4. However, Houston managed to bounce back in a big way, with the Cougars bouncing back to beat Auburn, 17-13, in the Birmingham Bowl on December 28, to finish their season at 12-2 overall.
Of course, the big off-the-field news for the AAC involves conference realignment, as both UC and UH will join UCF in the "Power Five" Big 12 Conference in time for the 2023 season. Replacing that trio will be the following six teams from Conference USA: Charlotte, Florida Atlantic, North Texas, Rice, UAB, and UTSA.
In the meantime, the three aforementioned teams in Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF all hope to make one final run for the AAC crown in 2022. But don't be surprised if squads like SMU, Memphis, Tulsa, and East Carolina, among others, make a serious run for the title this fall.
2022 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to access to find the schedules)
NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not highlighted, it means that the team has not submitted its schedule for the 2022 season. When the team's schedule is submitted, the link (s) will appear in each blog post. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and much more.
Final 2021 American Athletic Conference Football Standings
2022 American Athletic Conference Composite Schedule
Cincinnati
East Carolina
Houston
Memphis
Navy
SMU
Temple
Tulane
Tulsa
UCF
USF
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
2022 Schedules (Teams listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to access to find the schedules)
NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not highlighted, it means that the team has not submitted its schedule for the 2022 season. When the team's schedule is submitted, the link (s) will appear in each blog post. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and much more.
Final 2021 American Athletic Conference Football Standings
2022 American Athletic Conference Composite Schedule
Cincinnati
East Carolina
Houston
Memphis
Navy
SMU
Temple
Tulane
Tulsa
UCF
USF
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
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