Army football welcomes move to American Athletic Conference, tabbed fifth in media poll

As long as you play NCAA Division I football, you should have an opportunity to compete for a national title.

That’s how the leadership and players feel at West Point and that’s why it was a prime reason to join the ranks of affiliated football for only the second time since the program was created in 1890.

Army was greeted this week as a welcomed partner to The American Athletic Conference , which held its annual media day on Monday and Tuesday in Arlington, Texas.

“I think it’s awesome for college football, just knowing that there’s a wider range of teams that actually have a chance (at a title),’’ said rising senior quarterback Bryson Daily.

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The American (also known as the AAC) will likely have its conference champion participate in the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff.

“You have those Group of Five schools going undefeated and not making the playoffs,’’ said rising senior safety Max DiDomenico. “It’s kind of demoralizing and defeats the purpose of trying to win every game: ‘We go undefeated and can’t make the playoffs?’ The new 12-team playoff will be super cool, a super cool opportunity. I think the American is the perfect pathway to that, so I’ super excited.’’

Coming off consecutive 6-6 seasons as an independent, Army is not expected to challenge the likes of 2023-24 CFP participants Michigan, Washington, Texas and Alabama.

“I’m not delusional,’’ said head coach Jeff Monken, headed into his 11th year at the helm when preseason practice starts next Tuesday.

“It’s hard to win a college football game at this level - any game - and it will be tremendously challenging for us to win a game in this league. But to not be able to say we've got a pathway - particularly in recruiting - just felt like we needed to be in position to do that. So I'm excited that there is a pathway for a Group of Five team to be able to compete in the playoffs. I think it's a great first step.’’

In order to reach that goal in the inaugural 2024 AAC season, Army would have to overcome a handful of teams picked ahead of them – the Black Knights were selected fifth in a media poll, behind Memphis, Texas San Antonio, Tulane and South Florida. The respected Phil Steele Magazine top picks are UTSA, Tulane, Memphis, USF and East Carolina with Army slated tenth.

Recently named commissioner Tim Pernetti touted the AAC having teams in 13 of the top 51 media markets in the country, with Army a welcome addition to the No. 1 New York market.

“I couldn’t be more excited about Army joining our conference,’’ said Pernetti, a former tight end at Rutgers, a school familiar with playing Army and current AAC member Navy. “There’s something different about football in those places, like it means something different. … Those student-athletes fought you to the last snap.’’

“They’re going to bring great value,’’ he reiterated about Army.

The addition of Army will not change the annual matchup with Navy, for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy – it will be designated a non-conference contest (Dec. 14 in Landover, Md.).

“I think it’s outstanding for our conference,’’ said Navy’s Brian Newberry, headed into his second season as head coach of the Midshipmen. “We’ve got so much respect for Army and their players … they are our brothers. The great thing is it doesn’t affect the integrity of our game and the rivalry that it is and when we play that game, so I think it’s awesome to have them in the league, I think it’s great for the American Conference.’’

Tom Herman of Florida Atlantic – whose team hosts Army it its first AAC game on September 7 – said it will be a challenge facing two option-based teams (Army and Navy).

“My defensive coordinator will get mad at me,’’ Herman said, “but I’m excited about it.’’ He noted, though: “I wish we didn’t have to play in week two.’’

“I think it speaks to the leadership of this conference when the college athletic world, as we know it, is blowing up. The American said, ‘Oh Army, you’re an independent … you’re looking for a home, Okay, we got you.’’’

ARMY JOINS AAC: Army football will forego independent status, joining the American Athletic Conference

“I welcome (Jeff Monken) and the Army Black Knights to this conference … excited to have them join,’’ said Rice coach Mike Bloomgren. “We’re excited for that trip up to West Point (on Sept. 21).’’

kmcmillan@th-record.com

X / Twitter: @KenMcMillanTHR

AAC 2024 media poll

1. Memphis (23 first-place votes) 409 points; 2. Texas San Antonio (4) 368; 3. Tulane (2) 362; 4. South Florida 339; 5. Army (1) 236; 6. Florida Atlantic 228; 7. East Carolina 219; 7. Rice 219; 9. North Texas 216; 10. Alabama Birmingham 192; 11. Navy 150; 12. Tulsa 95; 13. Charlotte 77; 14. Temple 40.

SCHEDULE: Army football will open American Athletic play on Sept. 7 at Florida Atlantic

Army football 2024 schedule

Fri. Aug. 30 – vs. Lehigh, 6 p.m. (CBSSN); Sat. Sept. 7 – at Florida Atlantic, noon (CBSSN); Sat. Sept. 21 – vs. Rice, noon (CBSSN); Thur. Sept. 26 – at Temple, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN); Sat. Oct. 5 – at Tulsa, TBD (an ESPN network); Sat. Oct. 12 – vs. Alabama Birmingham, noon (CBSSN); Sat. Oct. 19 – vs. East Carolina, noon (CBSSN or an ESPN network); Sat. Nov. 2 – vs. Air Force, noon (CBS); Sat Nov. 9 – at North Texas, TBD (an ESPN network); Sat. Nov. 23 – vs. Notre Dame, at Yankee Stadium, 7 p.m. (NBC); Sat. Nov. 30 – vs. Texas San Antonio, noon (CBSSN); Fri. Dec. 6 – potential AAC championship, 8 p.m. (ABC); Sat. Dec. 14 – vs. Navy, at Landover, Md., 3 p.m. (CBS)

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Army football welcomes move to American Athletic Conference, tabbed fifth in media poll