NEWPORT, R.I. — In a poll of media who cover the American Athletic Conference, Memphis was picked to edge both Houston and Navy to win the American’s West Division. The Tigers were picked to finish second overall to Cincinnati, which is an overwhelming favorite to win the league and its East Division title.
The American released the media polls Tuesday at the American Kickoff and Media Days taking place in Newport.
Memphis will play host to Cincinnati in a Thursday night game at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium on Sept. 24. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. Tickets for the Cincinnati game as well as Memphis’ other five home games went on sale online as well as through the Athletic Ticket Office on Monday.
While Cincinnati is selected to dominate the East Division, in tight voting for the West Division, Memphis picked up just four additional points more than Houston, which was selected to finish second in the division, and five points more than Navy, which was picked third. Memphis received 13 first-place votes, Houston had 10 and Navy received seven.
Following opening comments by American’s Commissioner Mike Aresco on Tuesday morning, Memphis head coach Justin Fuente took part in a panel discussion with other coaches from the American’s West Division.
Both Aresco’s comments and both panel discussions with head coaches from the two divisions were carried on the American’s digital platforms. ESPN anchor Kevin Negandhi served as the emcee for the American Athletic Conference Summer Kickoff and Media Days. In addition to the live coverage on the American Digital Network, ESPN3 followed with a two-hour recap of the two-day event, hosted by John Rooke and Anthony Becht, on Tuesday.
Memphis opens preseason camp Thursday afternoon. The Tigers play host to Missouri State in the season opener Sept. 5.
2015 American Athletic Conference preseason football media poll
American Championship
Team points
Cincinnati 22
Memphis 5
Houston 2
UCF 1
East Division
Team (first-place votes) points
- Cincinnati (29) 179
- UCF (1) 135
- Temple 116
- East Carolina 105
- USF 53
- UConn 42
West Division
Team (first-place votes) points
- Memphis (13) 153
- Houston (10) 149
- Navy (7) 148
- Tulane 74
- SMU 59
- Tulsa 47