After conference play began last week, this week’s American slate will once again feature exclusively non-conference games. The league has two more chances to earn a signature Power Four victory and many more opportunities to make a statement against its Group of Six peers. Without further ado, let’s go #AroundtheAmerican.
Shula Bowl Takes Center Stage
FAU’s clash with FIU in the “Shula Bowl” has the most buzz it’s seen in years. Both schools appear to be early contenders in their conferences. FIU nearly beat USF in Week One and then beat Buffalo by 13 this past weekend. Meanwhile, FAU notched a statement victory over Navy last week, a team that many expected to compete for a conference championship before the season.
While it’s no surprise that FAU triggerman Caden Veltkamp is averaging over 300 passing yards per game, many may not realize FIU QB J.J. Kohl is having just as good a season. Kohl has 668 yards and four touchdowns through just two games.
Both quarterbacks benefit from game-breaking receivers. WR Maguire Anderson has 13 receptions for 185 yards for FIU, while FAU WR Easton Messer has a staggering 252 yards through two games.
This one may not feature College Football Playoff implications, but it should still be the conference’s most entertaining game this weekend. It’s hard to find two more evenly matched teams, and both quarterbacks should have no trouble scoring points.
That Shula Bowl Week Look👀#WIP🏝️ | @joindynasty pic.twitter.com/QyGMjRUaQp
— Florida Atlantic Football (@FAUFootball) September 17, 2026
Tulane and UTSA Take on the Power Four
UTSA and Tulane give the American two more chances to earn a second win over the Power Four this weekend. UTSA travels to Austin to play the new #1 team in the country, Texas, while Tulane travels to Manhattan to avenge its 2024 loss to Kansas State.
UTSA may catch Texas in an optimal spot. The Longhorns need to avoid a hangover from their monster home victory over Ohio State. The Roadrunners are 30.5-point underdogs, but a competitive showing could aid the Roadrunners’ early Playoff chances considerably. Moreover, UTSA’s dynamic backfield of RBs Will Henderson III, Amarion Peterson, and Brandon High Jr. enters the game with 373 combined rushing yards. A tough Longhorn run defense that has allowed just 3.5 yards per carry awaits them this Saturday.
Tulane also has a chance to redeem itself after its Week One loss to Duke. The Green Wave can reinsert themselves into the College Football Playoff race with a win over Kansas State. Despite their win this past weekend, the Green Wave’s quarterback troubles persisted against South Alabama. QB Kadin Semonza threw for 212 yards and a touchdown but only mustered a 30.9 QBR.
RB Jaylin Lucas was outstanding, rushing for 214 yards on just eleven carries, but will likely not have as easy a time against Kansas State’s defense. The Wildcats will probably encourage Tulane to pass. Kansas State’s first two opponents have thrown for just 95 yards through their first two games.
Time to saddle up 🤠#210TriangleOfToughness | #Ubuntu pic.twitter.com/0pxX3JXibh
— UTSA Football 🏈 (@UTSAFTBL) September 16, 2026
The American Gets Another Shot at the PAC-12
North Texas had one of the most eye-opening results of Week Two, embarrassing UNLV at home. The Mean Green defense forced four turnovers in a statement, 44-6, butt-kicking. The Mean Green now look set to contend in a suddenly wide-open American Conference. This week, they’ll look to defend the American’s unofficial title as the preeminent Group of Six conference against the PAC-12.
They face a Texas State team that almost won a third straight meeting against UTSA last Saturday. The Bobcats gave the Roadrunners all they could handle. UTSA needed a touchdown with 14 seconds remaining to escape San Marcos with a victory. Texas State’s prolific run game will test a solid North Texas defense after running for 289 yards last week.
Defense Set The Tone 😤#GMG🦅 pic.twitter.com/jhS5vfFQZl
— UNT Football (@MeanGreenFB) September 16, 2026
Other Notes from Around the League
Temple looks to gain even more respect against MAC stalwart Toledo this Saturday. The Temple defense looked impressive at times against Penn State, holding them to ten first-half points in an eventual 27-9 loss.
Nevertheless, the passing game must improve. Temple WRs Ajani Sheppard and Jaxon Smolik have combined for a meager 249 yards through the Owls’ first two games. They could find their stride against a Rocket defense that allowed 247 passing yards against Michigan State. A win over MAC frontrunner Toledo could add to the Owls’ early College Football Playoff resume after their showing against the Nittany Lions.
Rice’s shotgun-option offense looks to get back on track after a disastrous 52-0 shutout against Notre Dame, where they gained just 64 rushing yards total. But QB Jacurri Brown and company could struggle against a Western Michigan defense that held Michigan to 116 non-sack rushing yards in their season-opener. Worse, the Owls must face the Broncos without star RB Quinton Jackson, who is out with a serious leg injury. Interestingly, these two schools’ lone previous meeting came in the 2008 Texas Bowl, which the Owls won, 38-14.
Charlotte and East Carolina will seek their first wins of the season when they face nearby Sun Belt schools. Charlotte faces an Appalachian State team that just beat East Carolina. After 322 yards against The Citadel, 49er QB Cole Gonzalez came back to earth. He threw for just 128 yards before getting benched for Conner Harrell last week. He faces an at-best average Appalachian State pass defense, but Charlotte still has to prove it can compete at this level.
Meanwhile, the Pirates face an Old Dominion squad that lost, 44-21, to Virginia Tech last week. East Carolina QB Mitch Griffis could help get the Pirates back on track against a pass defense that allowed 327 yards last week.
New opportunity in Norfolk this weekend 🏴☠️ pic.twitter.com/Kqmu3TaS7S
— ECU Football (@ECUPiratesFB) September 14, 2026
After defeating Louisiana-Monroe, UAB attempts to beat a second Sun Belt school in the same state when it takes on the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns. The Blazers’ run game methodically wore down ULM, running for 266 yards. Rod Robinson II and the rest of the UAB backfield could have another banner day against Louisiana. The Ragin’ Cajuns let USC run for 214 yards.
Memphis, Tulsa, and USF will all face FCS squads this week. Tulsa looks to start 3-0 for the first time since 2008 and just the second time since 1978. They face East Texas A&M (1-2). Memphis hosts Tennessee-Martin (1-2), whose only win came against struggling first-year program Chicago State. Finally, USF hosts DeSean Jackson-coached Delaware State. The Bulls face another high-powered run game. The Hornets enter this game averaging 218 yards per game on the ground.
What are you watching this weekend, friends?
