USF is overwhelming pick to win American Athletic Conference

NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) South Florida is the overwhelming choice to win the American Athletic Conference in a media vote, with Memphis favored to win the West

NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) South Florida is the overwhelming choice to win the American Athletic Conference in a media vote, with Memphis favored to win the West Division.

The Bulls went 11-2 and finished last season ranked 19th in the nation. But Temple won the East and the conference by beating Navy in the title game. New USF coach Charlie Strong, who replaces Willie Taggart, brings back many of last season's key players, including star quarterback Quinton Flowers.

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USF received all 30 first-place votes to win the East and 26 to win the conference.

UCF was picked second, followed by Temple, Cincinnati, East Carolina and Connecticut. Memphis got 22 first-place votes in the West. Houston was picked second, with six first-place votes, followed by Navy, Tulsa, SMU and Tulane.