AAC Football: Ranking the 6 teams applying for membership by value

2. UAB

UAB, on the heels of opening a brand-new football stadium, is a terrific addition to the AAC. The team paused football operations after the 2014 season and reactivated in 2017.

Since restarting the football program, head coach Bill Clark has led the Blazers to three bowl games in five seasons. They’re well on their way to a fourth bowl game in five years if UAB maintains their great play in 2021 — the team currently holds a record of 5-2.

Clark has led UAB to a record of 39-18 since 2017, making them one of the winningest teams to join the AAC among this batch of teams.

1. UTSA

UTSA has been steadily improving, with their hard work culminating in a so-far undefeated 2021 season. The Roadrunners are off to a 7-0 start in 2021 and are ranked in the AP Top 25 for the first time since the team began playing football in 2012.

They are one of the hottest programs in FBS and play in the iconic Alamodome in San Antonio.

Head coach Jeff Traylor has ushered UTSA to a record in 14-5 since becoming head coach prior to the start of the 2020 season.

UTSA already beat future conference mate Memphis this year in a surprising come-from-behind win on the road, paving the way for a new rivalry to form when the Roadrunners officially join the AAC.