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The original was posted on /r/cfb by /u/Ornery_Pain_5509 on 2025-10-09 16:58:25+00:00.

First of all I mean this respectfully, as an opinion and if people disagree I’d love to debate but without hating I’ve had enough hate already just for being a fan of the team I like.

I have seen people saying that the American conference is no longer the best group of 5 conference, and that they have to prove it every year. I still feel they are the best, although weakened a bit by losing the 4 teams they did.

First off, Memphis, Tulane and Navy are all great programs that are still in the conference. Yes that’s only 3 compared to having 7 elite programs but they built on it. North Texas and Army are both incredible additions. North Texas is on the rise and Army is one of the best and most historic non power teams (not this year but many years).

Another point I’d like to throw in is that South Florida is seeing a rapid growth as well, similar to North Texas, and is even a prime team to win the conference this year.

On top of that, UAB and UTSA are both programs that have exhibited growth also, and while maybe not being elite yet, are poised to get there.

These teams plus the potential down the road of other teams in the conference leads me to feel that the American still holds an overall lead over all the other Group of 6 conferences, and I really only expect the new PAC-12 to pose a threat when it starts up next year. But for now I still feel the American is a 90% better conference, accounting for the occasional other Group of 6 team like Boise State or Northern Illinois blowing up for a season or two.

Edit: another excellent point brought up that I missed is that the American is a launching point to power conferences. They don’t lose teams to other Group of 6 conferences as of right now.