One could argue the American served as the epicenter of the college football world throughout this past weekend. The conference had a pair of entertaining weeknight games as well as a last-second finish that kept a team in the College Football Playoff race. And how can anyone forget the two teams that scored sixty points over the weekend?
The American has a legitimate argument as the most exciting conference in College Football. This season’s thrills could not have come at a better time with the PAC-12 attempting to stake its claim as the preeminent non-Power Conference. So without further ado, let’s go Around the American!
Tulane Escapes East Carolina Upset Bid
The Tulane Green Wave nearly lost its College Football Playoff hopes in a hard-fought 26-19 win over East Carolina. Tulane uncharacteristically struggled on the ground with just 96 yards rushing on 25 carries. Luckily, Tulane QB Jake Retzlaff recaptured his BYU passing form with a 347-yard passing performance punctuated by two passing touchdowns. His last touchdown came with 35 seconds left to break a 19-19 tie.
While the win over East Carolina serves as a solid benchmark, Tulane’s lack of physicality against this week might be concerning. ECU ran for 160 yards and gradually wore down the Green Wave defense. The Pirates struggled in the first half but came back in the second when they committed to the run. The Green Wave will need to recapture its team physicality in upcoming games against Army, UTSA, and Memphis. All three have become excellent rushing teams. Nonetheless, the Green Wave remain alive in the Playoff race.
Victory Friday! 🌊#UptownFootball pic.twitter.com/cHGPIM1Wti
— Tulane Football (@GreenWaveFB) October 10, 2025
South Florida Crashes North Texas’ Friday Night Coming-Out Party
North Texas canceled classes and sold out DATCU Stadium for the first time in its 15-year history. In fact, the whole city of Denton shut down for the first 5-0 North Texas team since 1959. Sadly, USF had other plans. The Bulls offensive juggernaut gained 580 yards and their defense forced five turnovers in what became a 63-36 win.
USF QB Byrum Brown continues to do it all. He had another versatile performance this week with 245 passing yards alongside 82 rushing yards. If not for the blowout loss for Miami, Brown would be in the Heisman race. In all, he accounted for five touchdowns. He has become one of the most indispensable players in the country. However, none of his touchdowns were as exciting as OL Cole Skinner’s one-yard touchdown run to seal the game in the fourth quarter. Tampa now has its answer to William “The Refridgerator” Perry.
All roads point to USF-Memphis being a potential College Football Playoff elimination game. The college football media thinks USF has the better team, ranking them three spots over Memphis in the new AP Poll. USF checks in at #19; Memphis stands #22. These two teams will meet on October 25th.
8️⃣1️⃣ 👉 1️⃣1️⃣#ComeToTheBay | #StayInTheBay pic.twitter.com/TkHHqsrH8X
— USF Football (@USFFootball) October 11, 2025
Navy Wins Last-Second Thriller Over Temple
Had USF not embarrassed North Texas, Navy’s win would be the conference story of the week. After Temple scored a go-ahead touchdown with just 1:16 remaining, it looked like the Owls had sunk Navy’s College Football Playoff hopes.
Alas, Navy QB Blake Horvath had other plans. The Midshipmen quarterback took a 4th-and-1 Quarterback Power run for 59 yards to make the game 31-30 with just 39 seconds left. Instead of opting for overtime, Navy went for two and converted. Horvath completed a pass to FB Alex Tecza to give Navy a 32-31 lead.
Friends, this was a Heisman-type moment. If Navy runs the table, this will be the moment that sends Horvath to New York for the ceremony.
Still, Temple’s resurgence might be the bigger story. After all, we didn’t know just how good this Temple team was until recently. The Owls beat a historically bad UMass team, Howard from the FCS, and an okay team from UTSA that often doesn’t travel well. However, after Saturday’s game, we now know that the Owls have a bowl-caliber team. They also have winnable games against Charlotte and Tulsa over the next few weeks. Wins in each would take them to 5-3 with games against East Carolina, Army, Tulane, and North Texas remaining. The Owls will likely need just one upset to get to the postseason. In a larger sense, between his work at Delaware, Sam Houston, and now Temple, Head Coach KC Keeler now looks like one of the best coaches in America.
Halftime at Homecoming 🔴⚪️#TempleTUFF pic.twitter.com/6I6iBToor9
— Temple Football (@Temple_FB) October 11, 2025
Other Notes From Around the League
Florida Atlantic had its most balanced performance of the season with 345 passing yards and 147 rushing yards in a 53-33 win over UAB. With that, UAB finally decided to fire Head Coach Trent Dilfer. Dilfer went just 9-21 with the Blazers. Moreover, UAB’s season looks lost. FAU, however, stands 3-3 and has a chance at its first bowl since 2020.
UTSA took advantage of two defensive touchdowns to beat an injury-riddled Rice squad, 61-13. Rice starting QB Chase Jenkins and experienced backup Drew Devillier both left this game with injury. Stranger still, Robert Henry Jr. didn’t carry the UTSA offense this week. Instead, backup RB Will Henderson III did. Henderson III had 115 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just five carries. Henry Jr. finished with 64 yards rushing and a touchdown, but his Doak Walker Award campaign has now lost momentum.
Friends, the American Conference continues to deliver a thrilling brand of football. Surprisingly, the best still lies ahead for the league with numerous nationally-relevant games remaining on the schedule. While last year was a thrill, this year reconfirmed how blessed Army is to be in this conference.
Go Army! Beat Tulane!!!
