The American Athletic Conference (AAC) is a premier collegiate athletic conference with a rich tradition of competitive sports. Established in 2013, the AAC includes schools from across the eastern and southern United States and features programs in football, basketball, and other sports. The conference has become known for its matchups and high level of play, particularly in football. Each AAC rivalry game is a chance to secure bragging rights and often has significant implications for conference standings and postseason opportunities.
American Athletic Conference Football Rivalry
The American Athletic Conference (AAC) has seen significant realignment, particularly in 2005, 2013, and the early 2020s, which disrupted or temporarily halted many of its traditional football rivalries. Teams like Louisville, Cincinnati, UCF, and Houston moved to other conferences, reshaping the AAC.
Despite these changes, two major rivalries have remained active: the Army-Navy rivalry between the Army Black Knights football team and Navy Midshipmen football, and the growing rivalry between Cincinnati and Memphis, which has developed due to both teams' competitive performances in the conference. These rivalries continue to be among the most anticipated matchups in AAC football.
Army–Navy Game
The Army–Navy Game is one of the traditional and enduring rivalries in college football, dating back to November 29, 1890. In the first meeting, the Navy dominated with a 24-0 victory. Since then, the two academies have faced off annually with 124 meetings as of the last game played in 2023, with the series standing at 62-55-7 in favor of the Navy, as of 2024.
The game embodies the spirit of the interservice rivalry of the United States Armed Forces and is traditionally played in Philadelphia. It marks the end of the college football regular season and is the third and final game of the season's Commander-in-Chief's Trophy series.
The rivalry has seen many memorable moments, including the Navy's longest win streak of 14 consecutive victories from 2002 to 2015. The largest margin of victory was a 51-0 shutout by Navy in 1973. The game has also been attended by several U.S. Presidents, adding to its historical significance.
Battle for the Bones
The Battle for the Bones is a spirited rivalry between the Memphis Tigers and the UAB Blazers, which began in 1997 with Memphis winning the inaugural game 28-7. The rivalry is named after its unique trophy, a bronze rack of ribs, and has been played 17 times, as of 2024. UAB leads the overall series with a score of 10 wins against the 7 wins of Memphis.
The series is part of the American Athletic Conference, and the teams compete fiercely for bragging rights and the coveted trophy. The rivalry extends beyond football, with both schools also competing in men's basketball and other sports.
The rivalry extends beyond football, with both schools also competing in men's basketball and other sports. The trophy, a 100-pound, 2-foot-by-2-foot behemoth, was created to emphasize the barbecue culture of the region. The annual game is accompanied by a barbecue contest, with the winners immortalized on the trophy's base. The rivalry was renewed in 2021 when UAB joined the American Athletic Conference, ensuring that the Battle for the Bones continues to be a highlight of the college football season.
Table of AAC Conference Rivalries:
| Rivalry | Team Name | Trophy | Began in |
| Army–Navy Game | Army vs. Navy | Commander-in-Chief's | 1890 |
| Battle for the Bones | Memphis vs. UAB | Bronze Rack of Ribs | 1997 |
FAQs on American Athletic Conference Football Rivalries
A. As of 2024, the AAC includes 14 teams competing across football sport.
A. The AAC was founded on May 31, 1979, as Big East, and converted to AAC in 2013.
A. As of 2024, Memphis and UAB have met 16 times in football.
A. The AAC sponsors multiple sports, including football, basketball, soccer, baseball, and volleyball, among others.
