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2021 American Athletic Conference football season

{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}

{{Infobox sports season

| title = 2021 American Athletic Conference
football season

| logo = American Athletic Conference logo.svg

| pixels = 150px

| color = #002654

| color text = #FFFFFF

| league = NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision

| sport = Football

| caption =

| duration = September 2, 2021 — December 31, 2021

| no_of_teams = 11

| attendance =

| TV = ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, and CBS Sports Network

| draft = 2022 NFL Draft

| draft_link = 2022 NFL Draft

| top_pick = Sauce Gardner (Cincinnati)

| picked_by = New York Jets, 4th overall

| season = Regular season

| season_champs = Cincinnati

| second_place = Houston

| MVP =

| MVP_link =

| top_scorer =

| top_scorer_link =

| finals = The American Championship

| finals_link = 2021 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game

| finals_champ =

| finals_runner-up =

| finals_MVP =

| finals_MVP_link = American Football Championship MVP

| seasonslist =

| seasonslistnames = Football

| prevseason_year = 2020

| nextseason_year = 2022

}}

{{2021 American Athletic Conference football standings}}

The 2021 American Athletic Conference football season was the 30th NCAA Division I FBS Football season of the American Athletic Conference (The American). The season was the ninth since the former Big East Conference dissolved and became the American Athletic Conference and the eighth season of the College Football Playoff in place. The American was considered a member of the Group of Five (G5) together with Conference USA (C–USA), the Mid-American Conference (MAC), the Mountain West Conference and the Sun Belt Conference.

Previous season

Cincinnati secured their second consecutive championship game appearance and faced Tulsa in the 2020 AAC Championship game.{{cite web|url=https://theamerican.org/news/2020/12/19/cincinnati-defeats-tulsa-27-24-to-win-american-football-championship.aspx|title=Cincinnati Defeats Tulsa, 27-24, to win American Football Championship|website=theamerican.org|date=December 20, 2020|accessdate=February 18, 2021}}

Six teams participated in bowl games during the 2020 season; the league went 1–5.

Tulane lost to Nevada 38-27 in the 2020 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game?gameId=401256136|publisher=ESPN|title=Tulane vs. Nevada - Game Summary - December 22, 2020 - ESPN}} UCF lost to BYU in the Boca Raton Bowl 49-23.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401256137|publisher=ESPN|title=UCF vs. BYU - Game Summary - December 22, 2020 - ESPN}} Memphis defeated Florida Atlantic 25–10 in the Montgomery Bowl.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401256139|publisher=ESPN|title=Memphis vs. Florida Atlantic - Game Summary - December 23, 2020 - ESPN}} Houston lost to Hawaii 28-14 in the 2020 New Mexico Bowl.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/game/_/gameId/401256140|publisher=ESPN|title=Hawai'i vs. Houston - Game Summary - December 24, 2020 - ESPN}} No. 24 Tulsa lost to Mississippi State 28-26 in the 2020 Armed Forces Bowl in a game that ended with a benches clearing brawl.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/playbyplay?gameId=401256196|publisher=ESPN|title=Tulsa vs. Mississippi State - Play-By-Play - December 31, 2020 - ESPN}}

In the New Year's Six Game, No. 8 Cincinnati lost in an instant classic to No. 9 Georgia 24–21 in the Peach Bowl.{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/playbyplay?gameId=401256108|publisher=ESPN|title=Georgia vs. Cincinnati - Play-By-Play - January 1, 2021 - ESPN}}

Preseason

=Recruiting classes=

class="wikitable"

|+ Rankings

! Team

! ESPN{{cite web |title=2020 Football Team Rankings|url=http://insider.espn.com/college-sports/football/recruiting/classrankings?class=2021&date=null|work=ESPN.com |accessdate=15 August 2020}}

! Rivals{{cite web |title=2020 Football Team Rankings|url=https://n.rivals.com/team_rankings/2021/all-teams/football|website=rivals.com |publisher=rivals.com|accessdate=15 August 2020}}

! 24/7{{cite web |title=2020 Composite Football Team Rankings|url=https://247sports.com/Season/2021-Football/CompositeTeamRankings/|website=247sports.com|publisher=247sports.com |accessdate=15 August 2020}}

style="{{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}"|Cincinnati

| style="text-align:center; background:white" |

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 39

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 45

style="{{NCAA color cell|East Carolina Pirates}}"|East Carolina

| style="text-align:center; background:white" |

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 100

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 97

style="{{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}"|Houston

| style="text-align:center; background:white" |

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 85

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 84

style="{{NCAA color cell|Memphis Tigers}}"|Memphis

| style="text-align:center; background:white" |

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 48

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 47

style="{{NCAA color cell|Navy Midshipmen}}"|Navy

| style="text-align:center; background:white" |

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 68

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 104

style="{{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}"|SMU

| style="text-align:center; background:white" |

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 61

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 51

style="{{NCAA color cell|South Florida Bulls}}"|South Florida

| style="text-align:center; background:white" |

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 56

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 64

style="{{NCAA color cell|Temple Owls}}"|Temple

| style="text-align:center; background:white" |

| style="text-align:center; background:white" |

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 117

style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulane Green Wave}}"|Tulane

| style="text-align:center; background:white" |

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 85

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 81

style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulsa Golden Hurricane}}"|Tulsa

| style="text-align:center; background:white" |

| style="text-align:center; background:white" |

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 127

style="{{NCAA color cell|UCF Knights}}"|UCF

| style="text-align:center; background:white" |

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 54

| style="text-align:center; background:white" | 58

=American Athletic Conference Media Days=

The 2021 American Media day was held virtually August 3 and 4, 2021{{cite web |title=Football Media Days to be Held Virtually August 3–4; Live Coverage on ESPN+ |url=http://theamerican.org/news/2021/7/26/football-media-days-to-be-held-virtually-august-3-4-live-coverage-on-espn.aspx |website=American Athletic Conference |publisher=American Athletic Conference |access-date=4 August 2021}}

•[https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmkjXprBSRGP37iC5VBDg-PhalSHk_Zqx 2021 The American Virtual Football Media Days]

==Preseason media poll==

The American Athletic Conference preseason media poll was released at the virtual media day held August 4, 2021.{{cite web |title=Cincinnati Chosen as Favorite in American Preseason Media Poll|url=http://theamerican.org/news/2021/8/3/football-cincinnati-chosen-as-favorite-in-american-preseason-media-poll.aspx |website=theAmerican.org |accessdate=4 August 2021}} Cincinnati, who finished the 2020 season ranked No. 8 nationally, was tabbed as the preseason favorite in the 2021 preseason media poll.

class="wikitable"
align="center"

|align="center" Colspan="3" |Media poll

align="center"

{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=American Athletic Conference|Predicted finish|Team|Votes (1st place)}}

align="center"

| 1

Cincinnati262 (22)
align="center"

| 2

UCF241 (2)
align="center"

| 3

SMU188
align="center"

| 4

Houston181
align="center"

| 5

Memphis168
align="center"

| 6

Tulsa153
align="center"

| 7

Tulane132
align="center"

| т-8

East Carolina85
align="center"

| т-8

Navy85
align="center"

| 10

Temple46
align="center"

| 11

South Florida43

=Preseason awards=

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
style="width:110px;"| Award

! Head Coach/Player

! School

! Position

! Link

Lott Trophy

|Coby Bryant

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}"|Cincinnati

|CB

|{{cite web|url=https://lottimpacttrophy.org/2021-lott-impact-trophy-watch-list-candidates/|title=2021 Lott Impact Trophy Watch List Candidates|date=July 20, 2021|access-date=July 20, 2021}}

Dodd Trophy

|Luke Fickell

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}"|Cincinnati

|HC

|{{cite web|title= 2021 Dodd Trophy Preseason Watch List Announced |url= https://chick-fil-apeachbowl.com/news/2021/7/13/2021-dodd-trophy-preseason-watch-list-announced.aspx|date=July 13, 2021|access-date=July 13, 2021}}

rowspan=5|Maxwell Award

|Desmond Ridder

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}"|Cincinnati

|QB

|rowspan=5|{{cite web|url=https://maxwellfootballclub.org|title=2021 Maxwell Award Watch List – Maxwell Football Club|date=19 July 2021}}

Calvin Austin

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Memphis Tigers}}"|Memphis

|WR

Ulysses Bentley IV

|style="{{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}"|SMU

|RB

Reggie Roberson Jr.

|style="{{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}"|SMU

|WR

Dillon Gabriel

|style="{{NCAA color cell|UCF Knights}}"|UCF

|QB

rowspan=4|Bednarik Award

|Sauce Gardner

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}"|Cincinnati

|CB

|rowspan=4|{{cite web|url=https://maxwellfootballclub.org |title=2021 Bednarik Award Watch List – Maxwell Football Club|date=19 July 2021}}

Myjai Sanders

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}"|Cincinnati

|DE

Quindell Johnson

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Memphis Tigers}}"|Memphis

|S

Diego Fagot

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Navy Midshipmen}}"|Navy

|LB

rowspan=2|Davey O'Brien Award

|Desmond Ridder

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}"|Cincinnati

|QB

|rowspan=2|{{cite web|url=https://daveyobrienaward.org/2021/07/davey-obrien-award-announces-30-player-preseason-watch-list/|title=Davey O'Brien Award Announces 30-Player Preseason Watch List|date=July 20, 2021|access-date=July 20, 2021}}

Dillon Gabriel

|style="{{NCAA color cell|UCF Knights}}"|UCF

|QB

rowspan=5|Doak Walker Award

|Rahjai Harris

|style="{{NCAA color cell|East Carolina Pirates}}"|East Carolina

|RB

|rowspan=5|{{cite web|url= https://www.smu.edu/doakwalkeraward/candidates|title= 2021 Doak Walker Award Candidates|date=July 21, 2021|website=www.smu.eduaccess-date=July 21, 2021}}

Mulbah Car

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}"|Houston

|RB

Ulysses Bentley IV

|style="{{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}"|SMU

|RB

Cameron Carroll

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulane Green Wave}}"|Tulane

|RB

Shamari Brooks

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulsa Golden Hurricane}}"|Tulsa

|RB

rowspan=5|Fred Biletnikoff Award

|Calvin Austin

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Memphis Tigers}}"|Memphis

|WR

|rowspan=5|{{cite web|title=2021 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List Released|url= https://biletnikoffaward.com/2021-biletnikoff-award-watch-list/|date=July 22, 2021|access-date=July 22, 2021}}

Rashee Rice

|style="{{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}"|SMU

|WR

Reggie Roberson Jr.

|style="{{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}"|SMU

|WR

Keylon Stokes

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulsa Golden Hurricane}}"|Tulsa

|WR

Jaylon Robinson

|style="{{NCAA color cell|UCF Knights}}"|UCF

|WR

rowspan=2|John Mackey Award

|Josh Whyle

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}"|Cincinnati

|TE

|rowspan=2|{{cite web|title=2021 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List Released|url= https://www.johnmackeyaward.com/index.html |date=July 23, 2021|access-date=July 23, 2021}}

Grant Calcaterra

|style="{{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}"|SMU

|TE

rowspan=3|Rimington Trophy

|Kody Russey

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}"|Houston

|OL

|rowspan=3|{{cite web|title=Rimington Trophy Press Release|url= https://www.rimingtontrophy.com/watchlist/|date=July 23, 2021|access-date=July 23, 2021}}

C.J. Perez

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Temple Owls}}"|Temple

|OL

Sincere Haynesworth

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulane Green Wave}}"|Tulane

|OL

rowspan=5|Outland Trophy

|Dylan Parham

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Memphis Tigers}}"|Memphis

|G

|rowspan=5|{{cite web|title=2021 Outland Trophy Award Watchlist Unveiled|url= http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/news/2021/outland210727.html |date= July 27, 2021|access-date=July 27, 2021}}

Jaylon Thomas

|style="{{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}"|SMU

|T

Corey Dublin

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulane Green Wave}}"|Tulane

|G

Tyler Smith

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulsa Golden Hurricane}}"|Tulsa

|T

Cole Schneider

|style="{{NCAA color cell|UCF Knights}}"|UCF

|DT

rowspan=4|Bronko Nagurski Trophy

|Diego Fagot

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Navy Midshipmen}}"|Navy

|LB

|rowspan=4|{{cite web|title= 2021 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watchlist Unveiled|url= http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/news/2021/nagurski210727.html|date=July 27, 2021|access-date=July 27, 2021}}

Sauce Gardner

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}"|Cincinnati

|CB

Myjai Sanders

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}"|Cincinnati

|DE

Jaxon Player

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulsa Golden Hurricane}}"|Tulsa

|DT

Lou Groza Award

|Blake Mazza

|style="{{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}"|SMU

|PK

|{{cite web|url= https://www.lougrozaaward.com/Current_Watch_List|title=Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award Announces 2021 Preseason Watch List|date= July 28, 2021|access-date=July 28, 2021}}

rowspan=5|Paul Hornung Award

|Tyler Snead

|style="{{NCAA color cell|East Carolina Pirates}}"|East Carolina

|WR

|rowspan=5|{{cite web|title= 57 PLAYERS NAMED TO 2021 PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST|url= https://www.louisvillesports.org/ph-article/57-players-named-to-2021-paul-hornung-award-watch-list/|date= July 29, 2021|access-date= July 29, 2021|archive-date= July 29, 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210729150819/https://www.louisvillesports.org/ph-article/57-players-named-to-2021-paul-hornung-award-watch-list/|url-status= dead}}

Nathaniel Dell

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}"|Houston

|WR

Danny Gray

|style="{{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}"|SMU

|WR

Jha'Quan Jackson

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulane Green Wave}}"|Tulane

|WR

Keylon Stokes

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulsa Golden Hurricane}}"|Tulsa

|WR

rowspan=8|Wuerffel Trophy

|Holton Ahlers

|style="{{NCAA color cell|East Carolina Pirates}}"|East Carolina

|QB

|rowspan=8|{{cite web|title=Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2021 Watch List|url= https://wuerffeltrophy.org/watch-list/ |date=July 29, 2021|access-date=July 29, 2021}}

Marcus Jones

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}"|Houston

|DB

Preston Brady

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Memphis Tigers}}"|Memphis

|LS

Shaine Hailey

|style="{{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}"|SMU

|LB

Mitchell Brinkman

|style="{{NCAA color cell|South Florida Bulls}}"|South Florida

|CB

Re-Al Mitchell

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Temple Owls}}"|Temple

|QB

Nick Anderson

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulane Green Wave}}"|Tulane

|LB

Chris Paul

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulsa Golden Hurricane}}"|Tulsa

|OG

rowspan=2|Walter Camp Award

|Desmond Ridder

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}"|Cincinnati

|QB

|rowspan=2|{{cite web|title=Walter Camp Foundation Announces 2021 Player of the Year Preseason Watch List|url= https://waltercamp.org/walter-camp-2021-player-of-year-preseason-watch-list/|date=July 30, 2021|access-date=July 30, 2021}}

Dillon Gabriel

|style="{{NCAA color cell|UCF Knights}}"|UCF

|QB

rowspan=3|Manning Award

|Desmond Ridder

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}"|Cincinnati

|QB

|rowspan=3|{{cite web|title= Allstate Sugar Bowl announces Manning Award Watch List|url= https://crescentcitysports.com/2021-allstate-sugar-bowl-announces-manning-award-watch-list/|date=August 5, 2021|access-date=August 5, 2021}}

Michael Pratt

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulane Green Wave}}"|Tulane

|QB

Dillon Gabriel

|style="{{NCAA color cell|UCF Knights}}"|UCF

|QB

rowspan=7|Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award

|Clayton Tune

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}"|Houston

|QB

|rowspan=7|{{cite web|title=Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award announces 2021 Preseason Watch List |url= https://www.earlcampbellaward.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/2021-Nominations-The-Earl-Campbell-Tyler-Rose-Award.pdf|date=August 5, 2021|access-date=August 5, 2021}}

Sean Dykes

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Memphis Tigers}}"|Memphis

|TE

Ulysses Bentley IV

|style="{{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}"|SMU

|RB

Reggie Roberson, Jr.

|style="{{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}"|SMU

|RB

Deneric Prince

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulsa Golden Hurricane}}"|Tulsa

|RB

Keylon Stokes

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulsa Golden Hurricane}}"|Tulsa

|WR

Jaylon Robinson

|style="{{NCAA color cell|UCF Knights}}"|UCF

|WR

rowspan=7|Ray Guy Award

|Jonn Young

|style="{{NCAA color cell|East Carolina Pirates}}"|East Carolina

|P

|rowspan=7|{{cite web|title=Ray Guy Award announces 2021 Preseason Watch List |url= https://www.rayguyaward.com/watchlist|date=August 13, 2021|access-date=August 13, 2021}}

Laine Wilkins

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}"|Houston

|P

Daniel Davies

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Navy Midshipmen}}"|Navy

|P

Adam Barry

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Temple Owls}}"|Temple

|P

Ryan Wright

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulane Green Wave}}"|Tulane

|P

Lachlan Wilson

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulsa Golden Hurricane}}"| Tulsa

|P

Andrew Osteen

|style="{{NCAA color cell|UCF Knights}}"|UCF

|P

Polynesian College Football Player Of The Year Award

|Tama Tuitele

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Navy Midshipmen}}"|Navy

|LB

|{{cite web|title=2021 Polynesian College Football Player Of The Year Award Watch List|url= https://www.polynesianfootballhof.org/releases/2021-polynesian-college-football-player-of-the-year-award-watch-list|date=August 19, 2021|access-date=August 19, 2021}}

rowspan=3|Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award

|Desmond Ridder

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}"|Cincinnati

|QB

|rowspan=3|{{cite web|title= The 2021 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Announces 2021 Preseason Watch List|url= https://goldenarmfoundation.com/2021/08/the-2021-johnny-unitas-golden-arm-award-announces-2021-preseason-watch-list/|date=August 19, 2021|access-date=August 19, 2021}}

Clayton Tune

|style="{{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}"|Houston

|QB

Dillon Gabriel

|style="{{NCAA color cell|UCF Knights}}"|UCF

|QB

Head coaches

=Coaching changes=

On January 27, 2021 Josh Heupel departed UCF to Tennessee. Gus Malzahn was hired to serve as the new head coach on February 15, 2021.{{cite web |title=UCF football names Gus Malzahn as new head coach |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/30905563/ucf-finalizing-deal-gus-malzahn-become-new-head-coach |website=ESPN |date=15 February 2021 |access-date=15 February 2021}}

=Coaches=

Note: All stats current through the completion of the 2021 regular season

class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
width="110" | Team

! Head coach

! Years at school

! Overall record

! Record at school

! AAC record

style="{{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}"|Cincinnati

| Luke Fickell

| 5

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|53|21}} | {{winning percentage|53|21|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|47|14}} | {{winning percentage|47|14|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|29|9}} | {{winning percentage|29|9|record=y}}

style="{{NCAA color cell|East Carolina Pirates}}"|East Carolina

| Mike Houston

| 3

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|94|44}} | {{winning percentage|94|44|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|14|19}} | {{winning percentage|14|19|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|4|12}} | {{winning percentage|4|12|record=y}}

style="{{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}"|Houston

| Dana Holgorsen

| 3

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|68|54}} | {{winning percentage|68|54|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|7|13}} | {{winning percentage|7|13|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|5|9}} | {{winning percentage|5|9|record=y}}

style="{{NCAA color cell|Memphis Tigers}}"|Memphis

| Ryan Silverfield

| 2

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|8|4}} | {{winning percentage|8|4|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|8|4}} | {{winning percentage|8|4|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|5|3}} | {{winning percentage|5|3|record=y}}

style="{{NCAA color cell|Navy Midshipmen}}"|Navy

| Ken Niumatalolo

| 14

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|101|67}} | {{winning percentage|101|67|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|101|67}} | {{winning percentage|101|67|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|30|17}} | {{winning percentage|30|17|record=y}}

style="{{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}"|SMU

| Sonny Dykes

| 4

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|63|59}} | {{winning percentage|63|59|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|22|14}} | {{winning percentage|22|14|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|14|9}} | {{winning percentage|14|9|record=y}}

style="{{NCAA color cell|South Florida Bulls}}"|South Florida

| Jeff Scott

| 2

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|1|8}} | {{winning percentage|1|8|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|1|8}} | {{winning percentage|1|8|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|0|7}} | {{winning percentage|0|7|record=y}}

style="{{NCAA color cell|Temple Owls}}"|Temple

| Rod Carey

| 3

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|61|41}} | {{winning percentage|61|41|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|9|11}} | {{winning percentage|9|11|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|6|9}} | {{winning percentage|6|9|record=y}}

style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulane Green Wave}}"|Tulane

| Willie Fritz

| 6

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|185|112}} | {{winning percentage|185|112|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|31|43}} | {{winning percentage|31|43|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|16|32}} | {{winning percentage|16|32|record=y}}

style="{{NCAA color cell|Tulsa Golden Hurricane}}"|Tulsa

| Philip Montgomery

| 7

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|37|46}} | {{winning percentage|37|46|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|37|46}} | {{winning percentage|37|46|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|24|29}} | {{winning percentage|24|29|record=y}}

style="{{NCAA color cell|UCF Knights}}"|UCF

| Gus Malzahn

| 1

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|85|42}} | {{winning percentage|85|42|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|8|4}} | {{winning percentage|8|4|record=y}}

| data-sort-value={{winning percentage|5|3}} | {{winning percentage|5|3|record=y}}

Source:[https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/conferences/american/coaches.html American Athletic Conference Coaches]. Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved Feb 18, 2021.

Rankings

{{See also|2021 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings}}

align=right style="font-size:90%; border:1px solid #aaaaaa; white-space:nowrap; background:#eeeeee;"

|+ Legend

style="background:#d8ffeb; width:20px; border:1px solid #aaaaaa;" |  

| rowspan=5 |  

| Improvement in ranking

style="background:#ffe6e6; width:20px; border:1px solid #aaaaaa;" |  

| Drop in ranking

style="background:#ffffe6; width:20px; border:1px solid #aaaaaa;" |  

| Not ranked previous week

align=center style="width:20px; border:1px solid #aaaaaa; background:white;" | RV

| Received votes but were not ranked in Top 25 of poll

class="wikitable" style="white-space:nowrap;font-size:90%;"
colspan=2 style="background:white; border-top-style:hidden; border-left-style:hidden;" | PreWk
2		Wk
3		Wk
4		Wk
5		Wk
6		Wk
7		Wk
8		Wk
9		Wk
10		Wk
11		Wk
12		Wk
13		Wk
14		Final
style="text-align:center;"

! rowspan=3 style={{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}} |Cincinnati

! AP

| style="background:#FFF;" |7

| style="background:#ffe6e6;" |8

| style="background:#FFF;" |8

| style="background:#d8ffeb;" |7

| style="background:#d8ffeb;" |5

| style="background:#d8ffeb;" |3

| style="background:#d8ffeb;" |2

| style="background:#FFF;" |2

| style="background:#FFF;" |2

| style="background:#FFF;" |2

| style="background:#ffe6e6;" |3

| style="background:#ffe6e6;" |4

| style="background:#d8ffeb;" |3

| style="background:#ffe6e6;" |4

| style="background:#FFF;" |4

style="text-align:center;"

!C

| style="background:#FFF;" |10

| style="background:#d8ffeb;" |8

| style="background:#ffe6e6;" |9

| style="background:#d8ffeb;" |8

| style="background:#d8ffeb;" |6

| style="background:#d8ffeb;" |4

| style="background:#d8ffeb;" |3

| style="background:#d8ffeb;" |2

| style="background:#FFF;" |2

| style="background:#ffe6e6;" |3

| style="background:#FFF;" |3

| style="background:#ffe6e6;" |4

| style="background:#FFF;" |4

| style="background:#FFF;" |4

| style="background:#FFF;" |4

style="text-align:center;"

!CFP

| colspan=8 style="background:#999;" align=center| Not released

| style="background:#FFF;" |6

| style="background:#d8ffeb;" |5

| style="background:#FFF;" |5

| style="background:#d8ffeb;" |4

| style="background:#FFF;" |4

| style="background:#FFF;" |4

| style="background:#999;" |

style="text-align:center;"

! rowspan=3 style={{NCAA color cell|East Carolina Pirates}} |East Carolina

! AP

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

style="text-align:center;"

!C

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

style="text-align:center;"

!CFP

| colspan=9 style="background:#999;" align=center| Not released

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#999;" |

style="text-align:center;"

! rowspan=3 style={{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}} |Houston

! AP

| style="background:#FFF;" | RV

| style="background:#FFE6E6;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#D8FFEB;" | RV

| style="background:#FFF;" | RV

| style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 20

| style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 17

| style="background:#FFF;" | 17

| style="background:#FFE6E6;" | 19

| style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 16

| style="background:#FFE6E6;" | 21

| style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 17

style="text-align:center;"

!C

| style="background:#FFF;" | RV

| style="background:#FFE6E6;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#D8FFEB;" | RV

| style="background:#FFF;" | RV

| style="background:#FFF;" | RV

| style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 19

| style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 17

| style="background:#FFF;" | 17

| style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 16

| style="background:#FFF;" | 16

| style="background:#FFE6E6;" | 21

| style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 17

style="text-align:center;"

!CFP

| colspan=9 style="background:#999;" align=center| Not released

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 24

| style="background:#FFF;" | 24

| style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 21

| style="background:#D8FFEB;" | 20

| style="background:#999;" |

style="text-align:center;"

! rowspan=3 style={{NCAA color cell|Memphis Tigers}} |Memphis

! AP

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFFFE6;" | RV

| style="background:#FFE6E6;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

style="text-align:center;"

!C

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFFFE6;" | RV

| style="background:#FFF;" | RV

| style="background:#FFF;" | RV

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

style="text-align:center;"

!CFP

| colspan=9 style="background:#999;" align=center| Not released

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#999;" |

style="text-align:center;"

! rowspan=3 style={{NCAA color cell|Navy Midshipmen}} |Navy

! AP

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

style="text-align:center;"

!C

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

style="text-align:center;"

!CFP

| colspan=9 style="background:#999;" align=center| Not released

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#999;" |

style="text-align:center;"

! rowspan=3 style={{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}} |SMU

! AP

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFFFE6;" | RV

| style="background:#d8ffeb; | 24

| style="background:#d8ffeb; | 23

| style="background:#d8ffeb; | 21

| style="background:#d8ffeb; | 19

| style="background:#FFE6E6;"| 23

| style="background:#FFE6E6;"| RV

| style="background:#FFF;" | RV

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

style="text-align:center;"

!C

| style="background:#FFF;" | RV

| style="background:#FFF;" | RV

| style="background:#FFF;" | RV

| style="background:#FFF;" | RV

| style="background:#FFF;" | RV

| style="background:#d8ffeb;| 24

| style="background:#d8ffeb;| 23

| style="background:#d8ffeb;| 19

| style="background:#d8ffeb;| 16

| style="background:#FFE6E6;| 24

| style="background:#FFE6E6;"| RV

| style="background:#FFF;" | RV

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

style="text-align:center;"

!CFP

| colspan=9 style="background:#999;" align=center| Not released

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#999;" |

style="text-align:center;"

! rowspan=3 style={{NCAA color cell|South Florida Bulls}} |South Florida

! AP

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

style="text-align:center;"

!C

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

style="text-align:center;"

!CFP

| colspan=9 style="background:#999;" align=center| Not released

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#999;" |

style="text-align:center;"

! rowspan=3 style={{NCAA color cell|Temple Owls}} |Temple

! AP

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

style="text-align:center;"

!C

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

style="text-align:center;"

!CFP

| colspan=9 style="background:#999;" align=center| Not released

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#999;" |

style="text-align:center;"

! rowspan=3 style={{NCAA color cell|Tulane Green Wave}} |Tulane

! AP

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

style="text-align:center;"

!C

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#ffffe6;" | RV

| style="background:#FFF;" |RV

| style="background:#FFF;" |RV

| style="background:#FFE6E6;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

style="text-align:center;"

!CFP

| colspan=9 style="background:#999;" align=center| Not released

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#999;" |

style="text-align:center;"

! rowspan=3 style={{NCAA color cell|Tulsa Golden Hurricane}} |Tulsa

! AP

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

style="text-align:center;"

!C

| style="background:#FFF;" |RV

| style="background:#FFE6E6;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

style="text-align:center;"

!CFP

| colspan=9 style="background:#999;" align=center| Not released

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#999;" |

style="text-align:center;"

! rowspan=3 style={{NCAA color cell|UCF Knights}} |UCF

! AP

| style="background:#FFF;" |RV

| style="background:#FFF;" |RV

| style="background:#FFF;" |RV

| style="background:#FFE6E6;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

style="text-align:center;"

!C

| style="background:#FFF;" |RV

| style="background:#FFF;" |RV

| style="background:#FFF;" |RV

| style="background:#FFF;" |RV

| style="background:#FFE6E6;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

style="text-align:center;"

!CFP

| colspan=9 style="background:#999;" align=center| Not released

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#FFF;" |

| style="background:#999;" |

style="text-align:center;"

Schedule

The regular season will begin on September 2, 2021 and will end on November 27, 2021. The season will conclude with the 2021 American Athletic Conference Championship Game on December 4.

At Media Day American Commissioner Mike Aresco said games will not be rescheduled this year because of COVID & if teams can’t play, they will have to forfeit{{Cite tweet |last=McMurphy |first=Brett|user=Brett_McMurphy |number=1422917823614103553 |date=4 August 2021 |title=AAC commish Mike Aresco says games will not be rescheduled this year because of COVID & if teams can’t play, they will have to forfeit}}

=Regular season=

class="wikitable"
Index to colors and formatting
style="background:#cfc;"

|American member won

style="background:#fcc;"

|American member lost

American teams in bold

==Week One==

{{CFB Conference Schedule Start}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = {{tooltip|September 2|Thursday}}

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Boise State

| home_team = UCF

| site_stadium = Bounce House

| site_cityst = Orlando, FL

| tv = ESPN

| score = 36–31

| attend = 43,928

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = l

| date = {{tooltip|September 2|Thursday}}

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = East Carolina

| home_team = Appalachian State

| site_stadium = Bank of America Stadium

| site_cityst = Charlotte, NC

| gamename = Duke's Mayo Classic

| tv = ESPNU

| score = 19–33

| attend = 36,752

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = l

| date = {{tooltip|September 2|Thursday}}

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = South Florida

| home_team = NC State

| site_stadium = Carter–Finley Stadium

| site_cityst = Raleigh, NC

| tv = ACC Network

| score = 0–45

| attend = 52,633

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = l

| date = {{tooltip|September 2|Thursday}}

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| visiting_rank = 23 (FCS)

| visiting_team = UC Davis

| home_team = Tulsa

| site_stadium = H.A. Chapman Stadium

| site_cityst = Tulsa, OK

| tv = ESPN+

| score = 17–19

| attend = 15,085

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = l

| date = September 4

| time = Noon

| visiting_team = Temple

| home_team = Rutgers

| site_stadium = SHI Stadium

| site_cityst = Piscataway, NJ

| tv = BTN

| score = 14–61

| attend = 52,519

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = l

| date = September 4

| time = Noon

| visiting_rank = 2

| visiting_team = Oklahoma

| home_team = Tulane

| site_stadium = Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Norman, OK{{efn|Originally scheduled to be played as a home game, the game against Oklahoma was moved to Norman, Oklahoma on August 30, 2021, due to safety concerns related to Hurricane Ida. Tulane will remain the designated home team despite Oklahoma hosting the game.{{cite web |last1=Kelley |first1=Kevin |title=Oklahoma at Tulane football game moved to Norman due to Hurricane Ida |url=https://fbschedules.com/oklahoma-at-tulane-football-game-moved-to-norman-due-to-hurricane-ida/ |website=FBSchedules.com |access-date=August 31, 2021 |date=30 August 2021}}}}

| tv = ABC

| score = 35–40

| attend = 42,206

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 4

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = Miami (OH)

| home_rank = 8

| home_team = Cincinnati

| site_stadium = Nippert Stadium

| site_cityst = Cincinnati, OH

| gamename = Victory Bell

| tv = ESPN+

| score = 49–14

| attend = 37,978

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = l

| date = September 4

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = Marshall

| home_team = Navy

| site_stadium = Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Annapolis, MD

| tv = CBSSN

| score = 7–49

| attend = 30,131

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = l

| date = September 4

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Texas Tech

| home_team = Houston

| site_stadium = NRG Stadium

| site_cityst = Houston, TX

| gamename = Texas Kickoff

| tv = ESPN

| score = 21–38

| attend = 43,478

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 4

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| visiting_rank = 22 (FCS)

| visiting_team = Nicholls

| home_team = Memphis

| site_stadium = Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Memphis, TN

| tv = ESPN+

| score = 42–17

| attend = 30,263

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 4

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Abilene Christian

| home_team = SMU

| site_stadium = Gerald J. Ford Stadium

| site_cityst = University Park, TX

| tv = ESPN+

| score = 56–9

| attend = 23,373

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule End|timezone=Eastern Time}}

==Week Two==

{{CFB Conference Schedule Start}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = l

| date = September 11

| time = Noon

| visiting_team = South Carolina

| home_team = East Carolina

| site_stadium = Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium

| site_cityst = Greenville, NC

| tv = ESPN2

| score = 17–20

| attend = 40,816

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = l

| date = September 11

| time = Noon

| visiting_team = Tulsa

| home_team = Oklahoma State

| site_stadium = Boone Pickens Stadium

| site_cityst = Stillwater, OK

| tv = FS1

| score = 23–28

| attend = 52,127

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = l

| date = September 11

| time = 1:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Florida

| visiting_rank = 13

| home_team = South Florida

| site_stadium = Raymond James Stadium

| site_cityst = Tampa, FL

| tv = ABC

| score = 20–42

| attend = 64,692

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 11

| time = 1:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Morgan State

| home_team = Tulane

| site_stadium = Legion Field

| site_cityst = Birmingham, AL{{efn|Originally scheduled to be played as a home game, the game against Morgan State was moved to Birmingham, Alabama due continued storm repairs taking place in New Orleans following Hurricane Ida. Tulane remained the designated home team.}}

| tv = ESPN+

| score = 69–20

| attend = 2,100

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 11

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = Murray State

| home_team = Cincinnati

| home_rank = 7

| site_stadium = Nippert Stadium

| site_cityst = Cincinnati, OH

| tv = ESPN+

| score = 42–7

| attend = 33,498

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = l

| date = September 11

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = Air Force

| home_team = Navy

| site_stadium = Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Annapolis, MD

| gamename = Commander-in-Chief's Trophy

| tv = CBS

| score = 3–23

| attend = 36,997

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 11

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = Temple

| home_team = Akron

| site_stadium = InfoCision Stadium

| site_cityst = Akron, OH

| tv = ESPN+

| score = 45–24

| attend = 14,474

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 11

| time = 6:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = Bethune-Cookman

| home_team = UCF

| site_stadium = Bounce House

| site_cityst = Orlando, FL

| tv = ESPN+

| score = 63–14

| attend = 38,443

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 11

| time = 6:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = Houston

| home_team = Rice

| site_stadium = Rice Stadium

| site_cityst = Houston, TX

| gamename = rivalry

| tv = CBSSN

| score = 44–7

| attend = 26,253

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 11

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Memphis

| home_team = Arkansas State

| site_stadium = Centennial Bank Stadium

| site_cityst = Jonesboro, AR

| gamename = Paint Bucket Bowl

| tv = ESPN+

| score = 55–50

| attend = 19,501

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 11

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = North Texas

| home_team = SMU

| site_stadium = Gerald J. Ford Stadium

| site_cityst = University Park, TX

| gamename = Safeway Bowl

| tv = ESPN+

| score = 35–12

| attend = 29,121

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule End|timezone=Eastern Time}}

==Week Three==

{{CFB Conference Schedule Start}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = l

| date = {{tooltip|September 17|Friday}}

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = UCF

| home_team = Louisville

| site_stadium = Cardinal Stadium

| site_cityst = Louisville, KY

| tv = ESPN

| score = 35–42

| attend = 39,022

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 18

| time = Noon

| visiting_team = Cincinnati

| visiting_rank = 8

| home_team = Indiana

| site_stadium = Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Bloomington, IN

| tv = ESPN

| score = 38–24

| attend = 52,656

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = l

| date = September 18

| time = Noon

| visiting_team = Boston College

| home_team = Temple

| site_stadium = Lincoln Financial Field

| site_cityst = Philadelphia, PA

| tv = ESPNU

| score = 3–28

| attend = 25,290

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 18

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = SMU

| home_team = Louisiana Tech

| site_stadium = Joe Aillet Stadium

| site_cityst = Ruston, LA

| tv = CBSSN

| score = 39–37

| attend = 15,326

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = l

| date = September 18

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = Tulsa

| home_team = Ohio State

| home_rank = 9

| site_stadium = Ohio Stadium

| site_cityst = Columbus, OH

| tv = FS1

| score = 20–41

| attend = 76,540

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 18

| time = 4:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Mississippi State

| home_team = Memphis

| site_stadium = Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Memphis, TN

| tv = ESPN2

| score = 31–29

| attend = 43,461

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 18

| time = 6:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = East Carolina

| home_team = Marshall

| site_stadium = Joan C. Edwards Stadium

| site_cityst = Huntington, WV

| gamename = rivalry

| tv = CBSSN Facebook

| score = 42–38

| attend = 24,833

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 18

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Grambling State

| home_team = Houston

| site_stadium = TDECU Stadium

| site_cityst = Houston, TX

| gamename =

| tv = ESPN+

| score = 45–0

| attend = 22,998

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 18

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Florida A&M

| home_team = South Florida

| site_stadium = Raymond James Stadium

| site_cityst = Tampa, FL

| tv = ESPN+

| score = 38–17

| attend = 29,475

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = l

| date = September 18

| time = 8:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Tulane

| home_team = Ole Miss

| home_rank = 17

| site_stadium = Vaught–Hemingway Stadium

| site_cityst = Oxford, MS

| tv = ESPN2

| gamename = rivalry

| score = 21–61

| attend = 54,198

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule End|timezone=Eastern Time}}

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
Datecolspan="1" |Bye Week
September 18Navy

==Week Four==

{{CFB Conference Schedule Start}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 25

| time = Noon

| visiting_team = SMU

| home_team = TCU

| site_stadium = Amon G. Carter Stadium

| site_cityst = Fort Worth, TX

| gamename = rivalry

| tv = FS1

| score = 42–34

| attend = 46,672

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 25

| time = Noon

| visiting_team = Wagner

| home_team = Temple

| site_stadium = Lincoln Financial Field

| site_cityst = Philadelphia, PA

| tv = ESPN+

| score = 41–7

| attend = 20,179

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = l

| date = September 25

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = UTSA

| home_team = Memphis

| site_stadium = Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Memphis, TN

| gamename =

| tv = ESPNU

| score = 28–31

| attend = 29,264

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 25

| time = 5:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Arkansas State

| home_team = Tulsa

| site_stadium = H.A. Chapman Stadium

| site_cityst = Tulsa, OK

| tv = ESPN+

| score = 41–34

| attend = 14,881

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = September 25

| time = 6:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Charleston Southern

| home_team = East Carolina

| site_stadium = Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium

| site_cityst = Greenville, NC

| tv = ESPN+

| score = 31–28

| attend = 39,218

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = September 25

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Navy

| home_team = Houston

| site_stadium = TDECU Stadium

| site_cityst = Houston, TX

| gamename =

| tv = ESPNU

| score = HOU 28–20

| attend = 25,054

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = l

| date = September 25

| time = 8:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = UAB

| home_team = Tulane

| site_stadium = Yulman Stadium

| site_cityst = New Orleans, LA

| tv = ESPN+

| score = 21–28

| attend = 16,023

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = l

| date = September 25

| time = 10:15 p.m.

| visiting_team = South Florida

| home_rank = 15

| home_team = BYU

| site_stadium = LaVell Edwards Stadium

| site_cityst = Provo, UT

| tv = ESPN2

| score = 27–35

| attend = 60,217

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule End|timezone=Eastern Time}}

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
Datecolspan="2" |Bye Week
September 25UCFNo. 8 Cincinnati

==Week Five==

{{CFB Conference Schedule Start}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = {{tooltip|October 1|Friday}}

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = Houston

| home_team = Tulsa

| site_stadium = H.A. Chapman Stadium

| site_cityst = Tulsa, OK

| gamename = rivalry

| tv = ESPN

| score = HOU 45–10

| attend = 15,890

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = October 2

| time = Noon

| visiting_team = Memphis

| home_team = Temple

| site_stadium = Lincoln Financial Field

| site_cityst = Philadelphia, PA

| tv = ESPNU

| score = TEM 34–31

| attend = 28,573

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = October 2

| time = 2:30 p.m.

| visiting_rank = 7

| visiting_team = Cincinnati

| home_team = Notre Dame

| home_rank = 9

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| gamename =

| tv = NBC

| score = 24–13

| attend = 77,622

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = October 2

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = Tulane

| home_team = East Carolina

| site_stadium = Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium

| site_cityst = Greenville, NC

| tv = ESPN+

| score = ECU 52–29

| attend = 33,475

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = October 2

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = UCF

| home_team = Navy

| site_stadium = Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Annapolis, MD

| gamename =

| tv = CBSSN

| score = NAVY 34–30

| attend = 30,871

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = October 2

| time = 4:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = South Florida

| home_team = SMU

| site_stadium = Gerald J. Ford Stadium

| site_cityst = University Park, TX

| tv = ESPNU

| score = SMU 41–17

| attend = 23,355

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule End|timezone=Eastern Time}}

==Week Six==

{{CFB Conference Schedule Start}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = {{tooltip|October 7|Thursday}}

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = Houston

| home_team = Tulane

| site_stadium = Yulman Stadium

| site_cityst = New Orleans, LA

| tv = ESPN

| score = HOU 40–22

| attend = 15,026

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = {{tooltip|October 8|Friday}}

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Temple

| home_team = Cincinnati

| home_rank = 5

| site_stadium = Nippert Stadium

| site_cityst = Cincinnati, OH

| tv = ESPN

| score = CIN 52–3

| attend = 37,978

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = October 9

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = SMU

| visiting_rank = 24

| home_team = Navy

| site_stadium = Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Annapolis, MD

| gamename = Gansz Trophy

| tv = CBSSN

| score = SMU 31–24

| attend = 28,563

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = October 9

| time = 6:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = East Carolina

| home_team = UCF

| site_stadium = Bounce House

| site_cityst = Orlando, FL

| tv = ESPN+

| score = UCF 20–16

| attend = 41,649

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = October 9

| time = 9:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Memphis

| home_team = Tulsa

| site_stadium = H.A. Chapman Stadium

| site_cityst = Tulsa, OK

| gamename =

| tv = ESPN2

| score = TLSA 35–29

| attend = 17,593

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule End|timezone=Eastern Time}}

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
Datecolspan="1" |Bye Week
October 9South Florida

==Week Seven==

{{CFB Conference Schedule Start}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = {{tooltip|October 14|Thursday}}

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = Navy

| home_team = Memphis

| site_stadium = Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Memphis, TN

| tv = ESPN

| score = MEM 35–17

| attend = 30,042

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = October 16

| time = Noon

| visiting_team = UCF

| home_team = Cincinnati

| home_rank = 3

| site_stadium = Nippert Stadium

| site_cityst = Cincinnati, OH

| tv = ABC

| score = CIN 56–21

| attend = 37,978

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = October 16

| time = Noon

| visiting_team = Tulsa

| home_team = South Florida

| site_stadium = Raymond James Stadium

| site_cityst = Tampa, FL

| tv = ESPNU

| score = TLSA 32–31

| attend = 21,767

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule End|timezone=Eastern Time}}

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
Datecolspan="5" |Bye Week
October 16East CarolinaHoustonNo. 23 SMUTempleTulane

==Week Eight==

{{CFB Conference Schedule Start}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = {{tooltip|October 21|Thursday}}

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = Tulane

| home_rank = 21

| home_team = SMU

| site_stadium = Gerald J. Ford Stadium

| site_cityst = University Park, TX

| tv = ESPN

| score = SMU 55–26

| attend = 22,843

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = {{tooltip|October 22|Friday}}

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Memphis

| home_team = UCF

| site_stadium = Bounce House

| site_cityst = Orlando, FL

| tv = ESPN2

| score = UCF 24–7

| attend = 39,328

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = October 23

| time = Noon

| visiting_rank = 2

| visiting_team = Cincinnati

| home_team = Navy

| site_stadium = Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Annapolis, MD

| tv = ESPN2

| score = CIN 27–20

| attend = 32,004

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = October 23

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Temple

| home_team = South Florida

| site_stadium = Raymond James Stadium

| site_cityst = Tampa, FL

| tv = ESPN+

| score = USF 34–14

| attend = 25,430

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = October 23

| time = 9:20 p.m.

| visiting_team = East Carolina

| home_team = Houston

| site_stadium = TDECU Stadium

| site_cityst = Houston, TX

| tv = ESPNews {{ref|Alpha|α}}

| score = HOU 31–24

| overtime = OT

| attend = 22,925

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule End|timezone=Eastern Time}}

  • {{note|Alpha|α}} This game was initially scheduled for ESPNU at 4PM ET, but moved to 9:20PM ET on ESPNews because of a rain delay..{{cite web |title=Houston sits through 5-hour, 18-minute weather delay and OT before toppling East Carolina, 31-24 |url=https://www.underdogdynasty.com/2021/10/24/22742651/recap-houston-cougars-5-hour-18-minute-weather-delay-overtime-east-carolina-pirates-31-24-aac-oct-23 |website=Underdog Dynasty |publisher=SB Nation |access-date=20 November 2021 |date=24 October 2021}}

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
Datecolspan="1" |Bye Week
October 23Tulsa

==Week Nine==

{{CFB Conference Schedule Start}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = {{tooltip|October 28|Friday}}

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = South Florida

| home_team = East Carolina

| site_stadium = Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium

| site_cityst = Greenville, NC

| tv = ESPN

| score = ECU 29–14

| attend = 32,015

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = {{tooltip|October 29|Friday}}

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = Navy

| home_team = Tulsa

| site_stadium = H.A. Chapman Stadium

| site_cityst = Tulsa, OK

| tv = ESPN2

| score = NAVY 20–17

| attend = 16,279

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = October 30

| time = Noon

| visiting_team = UCF

| home_team = Temple

| site_stadium = Lincoln Financial Field

| site_cityst = Philadelphia, PA

| tv = ESPN+

| score = UCF 49–7

| attend = 19,595

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = October 30

| time = Noon

| visiting_rank = 2

| visiting_team = Cincinnati

| home_team = Tulane

| site_stadium = Yulman Stadium

| site_cityst = New Orleans, LA

| tv = ESPN2

| score = CIN 31–12

| attend = 17,012

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = October 30

| time = 7:00 p.m.

| visiting_rank = 19

| visiting_team = SMU

| home_team = Houston

| site_stadium = TDECU Stadium

| site_cityst = Houston, TX

| tv = ESPN2

| gamename = rivalry

| score = HOU 44–37

| attend = 25,676

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule End|timezone=Eastern Time}}

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
Datecolspan="1" |Bye Week
October 30Memphis

==Week Ten==

{{CFB Conference Schedule Start}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = November 6

| time = Noon

| visiting_rank = 23

| visiting_team = SMU

| home_team = Memphis

| site_stadium = Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Memphis, TN

| tv = ESPNU

| score = MEM 28–25

| attend = 30,191

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = November 6

| time = 3:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Temple

| home_team = East Carolina

| site_stadium = Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium

| site_cityst = Greenville, NC

| tv = ESPN+

| score = ECU 45–3

| attend = 32,817

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = November 6

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = Tulsa

| home_rank = 2

| home_team = Cincinnati

| site_stadium = Nippert Stadium

| site_cityst = Cincinnati, OH

| gamename = College GameDay

| tv = ESPN2

| score = CIN 28–20

| attend = 37,978

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = l

| date = November 6

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = Navy

| home_rank = 8

| home_team = Notre Dame

| site_stadium = Notre Dame Stadium

| site_cityst = Notre Dame, IN

| gamename = rivalry

| tv = NBC

| score = 6–34

| attend = 77,096

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = November 6

| time = 4:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Tulane

| home_team = UCF

| site_stadium = Bounce House

| site_cityst = Orlando, FL

| tv = ESPNU

| score = UCF 14–10

| attend = 41,030

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = November 6

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| visiting_rank = 20

| visiting_team = Houston

| home_team = South Florida

| site_stadium = Raymond James Stadium

| site_cityst = Tampa, FL

| tv = ESPNU

| score = HOU 54–42

| attend = 28,667

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule End|timezone=Eastern Time}}

==Week Eleven==

{{CFB Conference Schedule Start}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = {{tooltip|November 12|Friday}}

| time = 6:00 p.m.

| visiting_rank = 2

| visiting_team = Cincinnati

| home_team = South Florida

| site_stadium = Raymond James Stadium

| site_cityst = Tampa, FL

| tv = ESPN2

| score = CIN 48–28

| attend = 30,708

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = November 13

| time = Noon

| visiting_team = UCF

| home_team = SMU

| site_stadium = Gerald J. Ford Stadium

| site_cityst = University Park, TX

| tv = ESPNU

| score = SMU 55–28

| attend = 23,175

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = November 13

| time = Noon

| visiting_rank = 17

| visiting_team = Houston

| home_team = Temple

| site_stadium = Lincoln Financial Field

| site_cityst = Philadelphia, PA

| tv = ESPN+

| score = HOU 37–8

| attend = 18,440

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = November 13

| time = Noon

| visiting_team = East Carolina

| home_team = Memphis

| site_stadium = Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Memphis, TN

| tv = ESPN+

| score = ECU 30–29

| overtime = OT

| attend = 28,431

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = November 13

| time = 4:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Tulsa

| home_team = Tulane

| site_stadium = Yulman Stadium

| site_cityst = New Orleans, LA

| tv = ESPNU

| score = TLSA 20–13

| overtime = OT

| attend = 22,784

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule End|timezone=Eastern Time}}

class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;"
Datecolspan="1" |Bye Week
November 13Navy

==Week Twelve==

{{CFB Conference Schedule Start}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = {{tooltip|November 19|Friday}}

| time = 9:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Memphis

| home_rank = 17

| home_team = Houston

| site_stadium = TDECU Stadium

| site_cityst = Houston, TX

| tv = ESPN2

| score = HOU 31–13

| attend = 28,712

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = November 20

| time = Noon

| visiting_team = South Florida

| home_team = Tulane

| site_stadium = Yulman Stadium

| site_cityst = New Orleans, LA

| tv = ESPN+

| score = TULN 45–14

| attend = 14,496

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = November 20

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = SMU

| home_rank = 3

| home_team = Cincinnati

| site_stadium = Nippert Stadium

| site_cityst = Cincinnati, OH

| tv = ESPN

| score = CIN 48–14

| attend = 37,978

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = November 20

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = East Carolina

| home_team = Navy

| site_stadium = Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Annapolis, MD

| tv = CBSSN

| score = ECU 38–35

| attend = 28,001

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = November 20

| time = 4:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = UConn

| home_team = UCF

| site_stadium = Bounce House

| site_cityst = Orlando, FL

| gamename = Civil Conflict

| tv = ESPN+

| score = 49–17

| attend = 37,454

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = November 20

| time = 4:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Temple

| home_team = Tulsa

| site_stadium = H.A. Chapman Stadium

| site_cityst = Tulsa, OK

| tv = ESPN+

| score = TLSA 44–10

| attend = 16,731

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule End|timezone=Eastern Time}}

==Week Thirteen==

{{CFB Conference Schedule Start}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = {{tooltip|November 26|Friday}}

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| visiting_rank = 4

| visiting_team = Cincinnati

| home_team = East Carolina

| site_stadium = Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium

| site_cityst = Greenville, NC

| tv = ABC

| score = CIN 35–13

| attend = 38,014

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = {{tooltip|November 26|Friday}}

| time = 3:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = South Florida

| home_team = UCF

| site_stadium = Bounce House

| site_cityst = Orlando, FL

| gamename = War on I-4

| tv = ESPN

| score = UCF 17–13

| attend = 41,157

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = November 27

| time = Noon

| visiting_team = Houston

| visiting_rank = 19

| home_team = UConn

| site_stadium = Rentschler Field

| site_cityst = East Hartford, CT

| tv = CBSSN

| score = 45–17

| attend = 12,685

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = November 27

| time = Noon

| visiting_team = Navy

| home_team = Temple

| site_stadium = Lincoln Financial Field

| site_cityst = Philadelphia, PA

| tv = ESPNU

| score = NAVY 38–14

| attend = 16,708

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = November 27

| time = 4:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = Tulsa

| home_team = SMU

| site_stadium = Gerald J. Ford Stadium

| site_cityst = University Park, TX

| tv = ESPN2

| score = TLSA 34–31

| attend = 17,158

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = November 27

| time = 7:30 p.m.

| visiting_team = Tulane

| home_team = Memphis

| site_stadium = Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium

| site_cityst = Memphis, TN

| tv = ESPNU

| score = MEM 33–28

| attend = 27,416

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule End|timezone=Eastern Time}}

==Week Fourteen (American Athletic Conference Championship)==

{{further|2021 American Athletic Conference Football Championship Game}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Start}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l =

| date = December 4

| time = 4:00 p.m.

| visiting_team = No. 16 Houston

| home_team = No. 3 Cincinnati

| site_stadium = Nippert Stadium

| site_cityst = Cincinnati, OH

| tv = ABC

| score = CIN 35–20

| attend = 37,978

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule End|timezone=Eastern Time}}

==Week Fifteen==

{{See also|Army–Navy Game}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Start}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule Entry

| w/l = w

| date = December 11

| time = 3:00 p.m.

| visiting_rank =

| visiting_team = Navy

| home_team = Army

| site_stadium = Metlife Stadium

| site_cityst = East Rutherford, NJ

| gamename = 122nd Army-Navy Game/Commander-in-Chief's Trophy

| tv = CBS

| score = 17–13

| attend = 82,282

| source =

}}

{{CFB Conference Schedule End|timezone=Eastern Time}}

{{notelist}}

Postseason

=Bowl games=

{{see also|2021–22 NCAA football bowl games}}

In 2021 the American will send teams to the Military Bowl, Fenway Bowl, and Hawaii Bowl annually. The American will have four selections from the following bowls:Frisco Bowl, Cure Bowl, Boca Raton Bowl, Gasparilla Bowl. Birmingham Bowl, First Responder Bowl and Myrtle Beach Bowl.{{cite web |title=2020 American Bowl Partnerships|url=https://theamerican.org/sports/2020/9/5/2020bowls.aspx |website=American.org |publisher=sidearmsports |date=5 September 2020 |accessdate=13 August 2021}} The American champion will go to a New Year's Six bowl if a team finishes higher than the champions of Group of Five conferences in the final College Football Playoff rankings. American teams are also eligible for the College Football Playoff if they're among the top four teams in the final CFP ranking.{{cite web |title=American Athletic Conference Announces 2020–25 Bowl Lineup |url=https://theamerican.org/news/2019/7/16/football-american-athletic-conference-announces-2020-25-bowl-lineup.aspx |website=American.org |publisher=sidearmsports |accessdate=16 August 2020}}

==Cancelled bowls==

The following bowl games tied in with the American Athletic Conference had their 2021 editions canceled :

  • {{Note|A|A}} Memphis was originally slated to play in the Hawaii Bowl against Hawaii on December 24. Hawaii was forced to withdraw from the bowl game due to a shortage of available players, stemming from a combination of a COVID-19 outbreak within the team, players already out with injury, and players who transferred away from the school at the conclusion of the regular season.{{cite web|url=https://hawaiiathletics.com/news/2021/12/23/football-hawai-i-will-not-participate-in-easypost-hawai-i-bowl.aspx|title=Hawai'i Will Not Participate In EasyPost Hawai'i Bowl|date=December 23, 2021|accessdate=December 24, 2021|website=hawaiiathletics.com|publisher=University of Hawaii}}
  • {{Note|B|B}} East Carolina was originally slated to play in the Military Bowl against Boston College on December 27. On December 26 the game was cancelled after Boston College had over 40 players unavailable to play in the Military Bowl against East Carolina. In a statement, Boston College said it did not have enough players to field a team because of coronavirus issues, season-ending injuries, opt-outs and transfers.{{cite web |last1=Adelson |first1=Andrea |title=Military, Fenway bowls canceled because of COVID-19 issues |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32940528/military-fenway-bowls-canceled-covid-19-issues |website=ESPN.com |publisher=ESPN |access-date=26 December 2021 |date=December 26, 2021}}
  • {{Note|C|C}} SMU was originally slated to play in the Fenway Bowl against Virginia on December 29. Virginia was forced to withdraw game due to the number of COVID cases impacting its roster, preventing safe participation. As a result of this withdrawal, the game and associated activities will no longer take place{{cite web |title=Virginia Withdraws from Fenway Bowl Due to COVID-19 Issues |url=https://virginiasports.com/news/2021/12/26/virginia-withdraws-from-fenway-bowl-due-to-covid-19-issues/ |website=VirginiaSports.com |publisher=University of Virginia Athletics |access-date=26 December 2021 |date=December 26, 2021}}

class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%"
colspan="2"|Legend
style="background:#bfb;"| American win
style="background:#fbb;"| American loss

class="wikitable"
Bowl games

!Bowl game{{cite web |title=2021 Bowl Schedule |url=https://fbschedules.com/college-football-bowl-schedule/season/2021/ |website=FBSchedules.com |publisher=FBSchedules.com |access-date=30 November 2021}}

!Date

!Site

!Television

!Time (EST)

!American team

!Opponent

!Score

!Attendance

style="background:#bfb;"

|Myrtle Beach Bowl

|December 20, 2021

|Brooks Stadium • Conway, SC

| ESPN

| 2:30 p.m.

| Tulsa

| Old Dominion

| W 30–17

| 6,557

style="background:#bfb;"

|Gasparilla Bowl

|December 23, 2021

|Raymond James Stadium • Tampa, FL

| ESPN

| 7:00 p.m.

| UCF

| Florida

| W 29–17

| 63,669

style="background:#ccc;"

|Hawaii Bowl

|December 24, 2021

|Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex • Honolulu, HI

| ESPN

| 8:00 p.m.

| Memphis

| Hawaii

| colspan=2 | Cancelled{{Ref|A|A}}

style="background:#ccc;"

|Military Bowl

|December 27, 2021

|Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium • Annapolis, MD

| ESPN

| 2:30 p.m.

| East Carolina

| Boston College

| colspan=2 | Cancelled{{Ref|B|B}}

style="background:#bfb;"

|Birmingham Bowl

|December 28, 2021

|Protective Stadium • Birmingham, AL

| ESPN

| 12:00 p.m.

| No. 20 Houston

| Auburn

| W 17–13

| 47,100

style="background:#ccc;"

|Fenway Bowl

|December 29, 2021

| Fenway Park • Boston, MA

| ESPN

| 11:00 a.m.

| SMU

| Virginia

| colspan=2 | Cancelled{{Ref|C|C}}

colspan="9" style="text-align:center;"|College Football Playoff
style="background:#fbb;"

|Cotton Bowl Classic

|December 31, 2021

|AT&T Stadium • Arlington, Texas

|ESPN

| 3:30 p.m.

| No. 4 Cincinnati

| No. 1 Alabama

| L 6–27

| 76,313

Rankings from Final CFP rankings. All times Eastern Time Zone. American teams bolded.

=Selection of teams=

  • Bowl-eligible (7): Cincinnati, East Carolina, Houston, Memphis, SMU, UCF, Tulsa
  • Bowl-ineligible: (4): Navy, South Florida, Temple, Tulane

American vs other conferences

===American vs Power Five matchups===

The following games include American teams competing against Power Five conferences teams from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, BYU/Notre Dame, Pac-12 and SEC). All rankings are from the AP Poll at the time of the game.

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
DateConferenceVisitorHomeSiteScore
style="background:#fbb;"

| September 2

ACCSouth FloridaNC State

| Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, NC

| L 0–45

style="background:#fbb;"

| September 4

Big 12Texas TechHouston

| NRG Stadium • Houston, TX

| L 21–38

style="background:#fbb;"

| September 4

Big TenTempleRutgers

| SHI Stadium • Piscataway, NJ

| L 14–61

style="background:#fbb;"

| September 4

Big 12No. 2 OklahomaTulane

| Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium • Norman, OK

| L 35–40

style="background:#fbb;"

| September 11

SECSouth CarolinaEast Carolina

| Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium • Greenville, NC

| L 17–20

style="background:#fbb;"

| September 11

SECNo. 13 FloridaSouth Florida

| Raymond James Stadium • Tampa, FL

| L 20–42

style="background:#fbb;"

| September 11

Big 12TulsaOklahoma State

| Boone Pickens Stadium • Stillwater, OK

| L 23–28

style="background:#fbb;"

| September 17

ACCUCFLouisville

| Cardinal Stadium • Louisville, KY

| L 35–42

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 18

Big TenNo. 8 CincinnatiIndiana

| Memorial Stadium • Bloomington, IN

| W 38–24

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 18

SECMississippi StateMemphis

| Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TN

| W 31–29

style="background:#fbb;"

| September 18

ACCBoston CollegeTemple

| Lincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PA

| L 3–28

style="background:#fbb;"

| September 18

SECTulaneNo. 17 Ole Miss

| Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS

| L 21–61

style="background:#fbb;"

| September 18

Big TenTulsaNo. 9 Ohio State

| Ohio Stadium • Columbus, OH

| L 20–41

style="background:#fbb;"

| September 25

IndependentSouth FloridaBYU

| LaVell Edwards Stadium • Provo, UT

| L 27–35

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 25

Big 12SMUTCU

| Amon G. Carter Stadium • Fort Worth, TX

| W 42–34

style="background:#bfb;"

| October 2

IndependentNo. 7 CincinnatiNo. 9 Notre Dame

| Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN

| W 24–13

style="background:#fbb;"

| November 6

IndependentNavyNotre Dame

| Notre Dame Stadium • Notre Dame, IN

| L 6–34

=American vs Group of Five matchups=

The following games include American teams competing against teams from C-USA, MAC, Mountain West or Sun Belt.

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
DateConferenceVisitorHomeSiteScore
style="background:#fbb;"

| September 2

Sun BeltEast CarolinaAppalachian State

| Bank of America Stadium • Charlotte, NC

| L 19–33

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 4

Mountain WestBoise StateUCF

| Bounce House • Orlando, FL

| W 36–31

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 4

MACMiami (OH)No. 8 Cincinnati

| Nippert Stadium• Cincinnati, OH

| W 49–14

style="background:#fbb;"

| September 4

C-USAMarshallNavy

| Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium • Annapolis, MD

| L 7–49

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 11

C-USAHoustonRice

| Rice Stadium • Houston, TX

| W 44–7

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 11

Sun BeltMemphisArkansas State

| Centennial Bank Stadium • Jonesboro, AR

| W 55–50

style="background:#fbb;"

| September 11

Mountain WestAir ForceNavy

| Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium • Annapolis, MD

| L 3–23

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 11

C-USANorth TexasSMU

| Gerald J. Ford Stadium • University Park, TX

| W 35–12

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 11

MACTempleAkron

| InfoCision Stadium • Akron, OH

| W 45–24

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 18

C-USAEast CarolinaMarshall

| Joan C. Edwards Stadium • Huntington, WV

| W 42–38

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 18

C-USASMULouisiana Tech

| Joe Aillet Stadium • Ruston, LA

| W 39–37

style="background:#fbb;"

| September 25

C-USAUTSAMemphis

| Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TN

| L 28–31

style="background:#fbb;"

| September 25

C-USAUABTulane

| Yulman Stadium • New Orleans, LA

| L 21–28

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 25

Sun BeltArkansas StateTulsa

| H.A. Chapman Stadium • Tulsa, OK

| W 41–34

=American vs FBS independents matchups=

The following games include American teams competing against FBS Independents, which includes Army, Liberty, New Mexico State, UConn or UMass.

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
DateVisitorHomeSiteScore
style="background:#bfb;"

| November 20

UConnUCF

| Bounce House • Orlando, FL

| W 49–17

style="background:#bfb;"

| November 27

No. 19 HoustonUConn

| Rentschler Field • East Hartford, CT

| W 45–17

style="background:#bfb;"

| December 11

ArmyNavy

| MetLife Stadium • East Rutherford, NJ

| W 17–13

=American vs FCS matchups=

The Football Championship Subdivision comprises 13 conferences and two independent programs.

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
DateVisitorHomeSiteScore
style="background:#fbb;"

| September 2

UC DavisTulsa

| H.A. Chapman Stadium • Tulsa, OK

| L 17–19

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 4

Abilene ChristianSMU

| Gerald J. Ford Stadium • University Park, TX

| W 56–9

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 4

NichollsMemphis

| Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TN

| W 42–17

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 11

Murray StateNo. 7 Cincinnati

| Nippert Stadium • Cincinnati, OH

| W 42–7

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 11

Morgan StateTulane

| Legion Field • Birmingham, AL

| W 69–20

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 11

Bethune-CookmanUCF

| Bounce House • Orlando, FL

| W 63–14

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 18

Grambling StateHouston

| TDECU Stadium • Houston, TX

| W 45–0

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 18

Florida A&MSouth Florida

| Raymond James Stadium • Tampa, FL

| W 38–17

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 25

Charleston SouthernEast Carolina

| Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium • Greenville, NC

| W 31–28

style="background:#bfb;"

| September 25

WagnerTemple

| Lincoln Financial Field • Philadelphia, PA

| W 41–7

=Records against other conferences=

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Regular Season

class="wikitable"
Power 5 Conferences

!Record

ACC

|align=center|0–3

Big Ten

|align=center|1–2

Big 12

|align=center|1–3

BYU/Notre Dame

|align=center|1–2

Pac-12

|align=center|0–0

SEC

|align=center|2–4

Power 5 Total

!5–11

colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;"|
Other FBS Conferences

!Record

C–USA

|align=center|3–1

Independents (Excluding BYU & Notre Dame)

|align=center|8–0

MAC

|align=center|1–2

Sun Belt

|align=center|2–0

Other FBS Total

!14–3

colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;"|
FCS Opponents

!Record

Football Championship Subdivision

|align=center|9–1

colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;"|
Total Non-Conference Record

!28–15

{{col-2}}

Post Season

class="wikitable"
Power Conferences 5

!Record

ACC

|align=center|0–0

Big Ten

|align=center|0–0

Big 12

|align=center|0–0

BYU/Notre Dame

|align=center|0–0

Pac-12

|align=center|0–0

SEC

|align=center|2–1

Power 5 Total

!2–1

colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;"|
Other FBS Conferences

!Record

C–USA

|align=center|1–0

Independents (Excluding BYU & Notre Dame)

|align=center|0–0

MAC

|align=center|0–0

Mountain West

|align=center|0–0

Sun Belt

|align=center|0–0

colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey;"|
Other FBS Total

!1–0

Total Bowl Record

!3–1

{{col-end}}

Awards and honors

=Player of the week honors=

class="wikitable" border="1"
rowspan="2"| Week

! rowSpan="15" style="background-color:lightgrey;"|

! colspan="3"| Offensive

! rowSpan="15" style="background-color:lightgrey;"|

! colspan="3"| Defensive

! rowSpan="15" style="background-color:lightgrey;"|

! colspan="3"| Specialist

! rowSpan="15" style="background-color:lightgrey;"|

Player

! Team

! Position

! Player

! Team

! Position

! Player

! Team

! Position

WEEK 1{{cite web|url=https://theamerican.org/news/2021/9/6/smus-mordecai-ucfs-davis-memphis-doyle-take-weekly-football-honors.aspx|title=SMU's Mordecai, UCF's Davis, Memphis' Doyle Take Weekly Football Honors|date=September 6, 2021|accessdate=September 6, 2021|website=theamerican.org|publisher=American Athletic Conference}}

| Tanner Mordecai

| SMU

| QB

| Kalia Davis

| UCF

| DL

| Joe Doyle

| Memphis

| P

WEEK 2{{Cite web|url=https://theamerican.org/news/2021/9/13/memphis-austin-temples-kwenkeu-houstons-nunnery-take-weekly-football-honors.aspx|title=Memphis' Austin, Temple's Kwenkeu, Houston's Nunnery Take Weekly Football Honors|date=September 13, 2021|accessdate=September 13, 2021|website=theamerican.org|publisher=American Athletic Conference}}

| Calvin Austin

| Memphis

| WR

| William Kwenkeu

| Temple

| LB

| Mannie Nunnery

| Houston

| LB

WEEK 3{{Cite web|url=http://theamerican.org/news/2021/9/20/smus-mordecai-cincinnatis-pace-memphis-austin-take-weekly-football-awards.aspx|title=SMU's Mordecai, Cincinnati's Pace, Memphis' Austin Take Weekly Football Awards|date=September 20, 2021|accessdate=September 20, 2021|website=theamerican.org|publisher=American Athletic Conference}}

| Tanner Mordecai (2)

| SMU

| QB

| Deshawn Pace

| Cincinnati

| LB

| Calvin Austin

| Memphis

| WR

WEEK 4{{Cite web|url=https://theamerican.org/news/2021/9/27/football-tulsas-brin-joins-houstons-parish-jones-as-weekly-award-winners.aspx|title=Tulsa's Brin Joins Houston's Parish, Jones as Weekly Award Winners|date=September 27, 2021|accessdate=September 28, 2021|website=theamerican.org|publisher=American Athletic Conference}}

| Davis Brin

| Tulsa

| QB

| Derek Parish

| Houston

| LB

| Marcus Jones

| Houston

| CB

WEEK 5{{cite web |title=Cincinnati's Ridder, Navy's Robinson, Houston's Jones Earn Weekly Football Honors|url=http://theamerican.org/news/2021/10/4/cincinnatis-ridder-navys-robinson-houstons-jones-earn-weekly-football-honors.aspx|website=theAmerican.org|access-date=4 October 2021}}

| Desmond Ridder

| Cincinnati

| QB

| Taylor Robinson

| Navy

| S

| Marcus Jones (2)

| Houston

| CB

WEEK 6{{cite web |title=Cincinnati's Ford, UCF's Bethune, SMU's Massey Earn Weekly Football Honors|url=http://theamerican.org/news/2021/10/11/cincinnatis-ford-ucfs-bethune-smus-massey-earn-weekly-football-honors.aspx|website=theAmerican.org|access-date=11 October 2021}}

| Jerome Ford

| Cincinnati

| RB

| Tatum Bethune

| UCF

| LB

| Bryan Massey

| SMU

| S

WEEK 7{{cite web |title=Cincinnati's Ford, Tulsa's Wright, South Florida's Battie Take Weekly Football Honors|url=http://theamerican.org/news/2021/10/18/cincinnatis-ford-tulsas-wright-south-floridas-battie-take-weekly-football-honors.aspx|website=theAmerican.org|access-date=18 October 2021}}

| Jerome Ford (2)

| Cincinnati

| RB

| Justin Wright

| Tulsa

| LB

| Brian Battie

| South Florida

| RB

WEEK 8{{cite web |title=SMU's Mordecai, Houston's Mutin, Jones Take Weekly Football Honors|url=https://theamerican.org/news/2021/10/25/smus-mordecai-houstons-mutin-jones-take-weekly-football-honors.aspx|website=theAmerican.org|access-date=25 October 2021}}

| Tanner Mordecai (3)

| SMU

| QB

| Donavan Mutin

| Houston

| LB

| Marcus Jones (3)

| Houston

| CB

WEEK 9{{cite web |title=Houston's Dell, Jones, Join East Carolina's Fleming as Weekly Award Winners|url=https://theamerican.org/news/2021/11/1/football-houstons-dell-jones-join-east-carolinas-fleming-as-weekly-award-winners.aspx|website=theAmerican.org|access-date=1 November 2021}}

| Nathaniel Dell

| Houston

| WR

| Malik Fleming

| East Carolina

| CB

| Marcus Jones (4)

| Houston

| CB

WEEK 10{{cite web |title=Houston's Tune, Memphis' Owens, South Florida's Battie Earn Weekly Conference Honors|url=https://theamerican.org/news/2021/11/8/football-houstons-tune-memphis-owens-south-floridas-battie-earn-weekly-conference-honors.aspx|website=theAmerican.org|access-date=8 November 2021}}

| Clayton Tune

| Houston

| QB

| Rodney Owens

| Memphis

| CB

| Brian Battie (2)

| South Florida

| RB

WEEK 11{{cite web |title=SMU's Mordecai, Tulsa's Wright, East Carolina's Daffer are Weekly Football Honorees|url=https://theamerican.org/news/2021/11/15/smus-mordecai-tulsas-wright-east-carolinas-daffer-are-weekly-football-honorees.aspx|website=theAmerican.org|access-date=15 November 2021}}

| Tanner Mordecai (4)

| SMU

| QB

| Justin Wright (2)

| Tulsa

| LB

| Owen Daffer

| East Carolina

| K

WEEK 12{{cite web |title=Cincinnati's Ridder, Houston's Jones, East Carolina's Daffer Take Weekly Football Awards|url=https://theamerican.org/news/2021/11/22/cincinnatis-ridder-houstons-jones-east-carolinas-daffer-take-weekly-football-awards.aspx|website=theAmerican.org|access-date=22 November 2021}}

| Desmond Ridder (2)

| Cincinnati

| QB

| Marcus Jones

| Houston

| CB

| Owen Daffer (2)

| East Carolina

| K

WEEK 13{{cite web |title=Memphis' Henigan, Cinicnnati's Gardner, Memphis' Kemp Take Final Weekly Football Honors|url=https://theamerican.org/news/2021/11/29/memphis-henigan-cinicnnatis-gardner-memphis-kemp-take-final-weekly-football-honors.aspx|website=theAmerican.org|access-date=29 November 2021}}

| Seth Henigan

| Memphis

| QB

| Sauce Gardner

| Cincinnati

| CB

| David Kemp

| Memphis

| K

=American Athletic Individual Awards=

The following individuals received postseason honors as chosen by the league's head coaches.{{cite web |title=American Announces 2021 Football Award Winners and All-Conference Teams |url=http://theamerican.org/news/2021/12/1/american-announces-2021-football-awards-winners-and-all-conference-teams.aspx |website=American Athletic Conference |publisher=American Athletic Conference |access-date=1 December 2021 |date=1 December 2021}}

class="wikitable"

{{CollegePrimaryHeader|team=American Athletic Conference|Award|Player|School}}

Offensive Player of the Year

|Desmond Ridder

|Cincinnati

Defensive Player of the Year

|Sauce Gardner*

|Cincinnati

Special Teams Player of the Year

|Marcus Jones

|Houston

Rookie of the Year

|Alton McCaskill

|Houston

Coach of the Year

|Luke Fickell

|Cincinnati

=All-Conference Teams=

{{col-begin}}

{{col-3}}

class="wikitable" border="0"
Position

! Player

! Team

colspan="3" style="text-align:center; background:#ddd;"| First Team Offense
style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |WR

| style="background:white" |Nathaniel Dell

| style={{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}| Houston

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |WR

| style="background:white" |Calvin Austin *

| style={{NCAA color cell|Memphis Tigers}}| Memphis

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |WR

| style="background:white" |Danny Gray

| style={{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}| SMU

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |OT

| style="background:white" |Dylan O’Quinn

| style={{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}| Cincinnati

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |OT

| style="background:white" |Patrick Paul

| style={{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}| Houston

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |OG

| style="background:white" |Lorenz Metz

| style={{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}| Cincinnati

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |OG

| style="background:white" |Dylan Parham

| style={{NCAA color cell|Memphis Tigers}}| Memphis

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |C

| style="background:white" |Jake Renfro

| style={{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}| Cincinnati

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |TE

| style="background:white" |Sean Dykes

| style={{NCAA color cell|Memphis Tigers}}| Memphis

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |QB

| style="background:white" |Desmond Ridder

| style={{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}| Cincinnati

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |RB

| style="background:white" |Jerome Ford

| style={{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}| Cincinnati

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |RB

| style="background:white" |Keaton Mitchell

| style={{NCAA color cell|East Carolina Pirates}}| East Carolina

colspan="3" style="text-align:center; background:#ddd;"| First Team Defense
style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |DL

| style="background:white" |Big Kat Bryant

| style={{NCAA color cell|UCF Knights}}| UCF

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |DL

| style="background:white" |Curtis Brooks

| style={{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}| Cincinnati

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |DL

| style="background:white" |Myjai Sanders *

| style={{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}| Cincinnati

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |DL

| style="background:white" |David Anenih

| style={{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}| Houston

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |DL

| style="background:white" |Logan Hall

| style={{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}| Houston

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |LB

| style="background:white" |Darrian Beavers

| style={{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}| Cincinnati

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |LB

| style="background:white" |Joel Dublanko

| style={{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}| Cincinnati

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |LB

| style="background:white" |JJ Russell

| style={{NCAA color cell|Memphis Tigers}}| Memphis

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |LB

| style="background:white" |Diego Fagot

| style={{NCAA color cell|Navy Midshipmen}}| Navy

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |CB

| style="background:white" |Sauce Gardner *

| style={{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}| Cincinnati

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |CB

| style="background:white" |Coby Bryant

| style={{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}| Cincinnati

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |S

| style="background:white" |Bryan Cook

| style={{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}| Cincinnati

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |S

| style="background:white" |Gervarrius Owens

| style={{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}| Houston

colspan="3" style="text-align:center; background:#ddd;"| First Team Special Teams
style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |K

| style="background:white" |Owen Daffer

| style={{NCAA color cell|East Carolina Pirates}}| East Carolina

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |P

| style="background:white" |Ryan Wright

| style={{NCAA color cell|Tulane Green Wave}}| Tulane

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |RS

| style="background:white" |Marcus Jones

| style={{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}| Houston

style="text-align:center;"

{{col-3}}

class="wikitable" border="0"
Position

! Player

! Team

colspan="3" style="text-align:center; background:#ddd;"| Second Team Offense
style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |WR

| style="background:white" |Ryan O’Keefe

| style={{NCAA color cell|UCF Knights}}| UCF

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |WR

| style="background:white" |Alec Pierce

| style={{NCAA color cell|Cincinnati Bearcats}}| Cincinnati

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |WR

| style="background:white" |Tyler Snead

| style={{NCAA color cell|East Carolina Pirates}}| East Carolina

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |OT

| style="background:white" |Alan Ali

| style={{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}| SMU

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |OT

| style="background:white" |Tyler Smith

| style={{NCAA color cell|Tulsa Golden Hurricane}}| Tulsa

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |OT

| style="background:white" |Lokahi Pauole

| style={{NCAA color cell|UCF Knights}}| UCF

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |OG

| style="background:white" |Demetris Harris

| style={{NCAA color cell|South Florida Bulls}}| South Florida

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |OG

| style="background:white" |Hayden Howerton

| style={{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}| SMU

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |C

| style="background:white" |Kody Russey

| style={{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}| Houston

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |TE

| style="background:white" |Grant Calcaterra

| style={{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}| SMU

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |QB

| style="background:white" |Tanner Mordecai

| style={{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}| SMU

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |RB

| style="background:white" |Alton McCaskill

| style={{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}| Houston

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |RB

| style="background:white" |Ulysses Bentley IV

| style={{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}| SMU

colspan="3" style="text-align:center; background:#ddd;"| Second Team Defense
style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |DL

| style="background:white" |John Tate IV

| style={{NCAA color cell|Memphis Tigers}}| Memphis

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |DL

| style="background:white" |Derek Parish

| style={{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}| Houston

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |DL

| style="background:white" |Elijah Chatman

| style={{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}| SMU

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |DL

| style="background:white" |Jaxon Player

| style={{NCAA color cell|Tulsa Golden Hurricane}}| Tulsa

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |LB

| style="background:white" |Bruce Bivens

| style={{NCAA color cell|East Carolina Pirates}}| East Carolina

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |LB

| style="background:white" |Donavan Mutin

| style={{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}| Houston

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |LB

| style="background:white" |Antonio Grier

| style={{NCAA color cell|South Florida Bulls}}| South Florida

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |LB

| style="background:white" |Delano Robinson

| style={{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}| SMU

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |CB

| style="background:white" |Ja'Quan McMillian

| style={{NCAA color cell|East Carolina Pirates}}| East Carolina

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |CB

| style="background:white" |Marcus Jones

| style={{NCAA color cell|Houston Cougars}}| Houston

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |S

| style="background:white" |Divaad Wilson

| style={{NCAA color cell|UCF Knights}}| UCF

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |S

| style="background:white" |Quindell Johnson

| style={{NCAA color cell|Memphis Tigers}}| Memphis

colspan="3" style="text-align:center; background:#ddd;"| Second Team Special Teams
style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |K

| style="background:white" |Bijan Nichols

| style={{NCAA color cell|Navy Midshipmen}}| Navy

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |P

| style="background:white" |Jonn Young

| style={{NCAA color cell|East Carolina Pirates}}| East Carolina

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |RS

| style="background:white" |Bryan Massey

| style={{NCAA color cell|SMU Mustangs}}| SMU

style="text-align:center;"

{{col-3}}

{{col-end}}

* Denotes Unanimous Selection

All Conference Honorable Mentions:

  • UCF: Tatum Bethune (LB), Cole Schneider (OG), Marcus Tatum (OT)
  • Cincinnati: Marcus Brown (DL), Deshawn Pace (LB), Josh Whyle (TE)
  • Houston: Laine Wilkins (P)
  • South Florida: Jaren Mangham (RB), Spenser Shrader (P)
  • SMU: Rashee Rice (WR)
  • Temple: C.J. Perez (C)
  • Tulane: Sincere Haynesworth (C), Dorian Williams (LB), Macon Clark (S)
  • Tulsa: Chris Paul (OG), Justin Wright (LB)

=All-Americans=

{{For|the complete All-America selections|2021 College Football All-America Team}}

The 2021 College Football All-America Team is composed of the following College Football All-American first teams chosen by the following selector organizations: Associated Press (AP), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Walter Camp Foundation (WCFF), Sporting News (TSN, from its historic name of The Sporting News), Sports Illustrated (SI), The Athletic (Athletic), USA Today (USAT) ESPN, CBS Sports (CBS), College Football News (CFN), Athlon Sports, Phil Steele, and Fox Sports (FOX).

Currently, the NCAA compiles consensus all-America teams using a point system computed from All-America teams named by coaches associations or media sources. Players are chosen against other players playing at their position only. To be selected a consensus All-American, players must be chosen to the first team on at least half of the five official selectors as recognized by the NCAA. Second- and third-team honors are used to break ties. Players named first-team by all five selectors are deemed unanimous All-Americans. Currently, the NCAA recognizes All-Americans selected by the AP, AFCA, FWAA, TSN, and the WCFF to determine consensus and unanimous All-Americans.{{cite web |url=https://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/ncaa/resources/stats/statistics+policies |title=2010-11 NCAA Statistics Policies(updated 9/15/2010) |access-date=December 10, 2011 |archive-date=January 3, 2012 |date=September 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103181529/http://www.ncaa.org/wps/wcm/connect/public/NCAA/Resources/Stats/Statistics+Policies |publisher=National Collegiate Athletic Association |url-status=dead }}

class="wikitable"
Position

! Player

! School

! Selector

! Unanimous

! Consensus

colspan="6" style="text-align:center; background:#ddd;"| First Team All-Americans
style="text-align:center;"
style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |CB

| style="background:white" |Sauce Gardner

!style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Cincinnati Bearcats}} | Cincinnati

| style="background:white" |(AFCA, AP, CBS, ESPN, FWAA, The Athletic, TSN, USAT)

| style="background:white" |

| style="background:white" |*

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |CB

| style="background:white" |Coby Bryant

!style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Cincinnati Bearcats}} | Cincinnati

| style="background:white" |(AFCA, WCFF)

| style="background:white" |

| style="background:white" |

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |DB

| style="background:white" |Marcus Jones

!style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Houston Cougars}} | Houston

| style="background:white" |(AP)

| style="background:white" |

| style="background:white" |

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |AP

| style="background:white" |Marcus Jones

!style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Houston Cougars}} | Houston

| style="background:white" |(CBS, ESPN, FWAA, The Athletic, TSN, USAT)

| style="background:white" |

| style="background:white" |*

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |KR

| style="background:white" |Brian Battie

!style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|South Florida Bulls}} | South Florida

| style="background:white" |(FWAA, WCFF)

| style="background:white" |

| style="background:white" |*

class="wikitable"
Position

! Player

! School

! Selector

colspan="4" style="text-align:center; background:#ddd;"| Second Team All-Americans
style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |CB

| style="background:white" |Coby Bryant

!style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Cincinnati Bearcats}} | Cincinnati

| style="background:white" |(AP, CBS, TSN, USAT)

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |CB

| style="background:white" |Sauce Gardner

!style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Cincinnati Bearcats}} | Cincinnati

| style="background:white" |(WCFF)

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |CB

| style="background:white" |Ja'Quan McMillian

!style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|East Carolina Pirates}} | East Carolina

| style="background:white" |(AP, FWAA, TSN)

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |PR

| style="background:white" |Marcus Jones

!style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|Houston Cougars}} | Houston

| style="background:white" |(AP, CBS, WCFF)

style="text-align:center;"

| style="background:white" |KR

| style="background:white" |Brian Battie

!style={{CollegePrimaryStyle|South Florida Bulls}} | South Florida

| style="background:white" |(CBS, TSN)

==List of All American Teams==

  • [https://www.afca.com/iowa-states-breece-hall-and-alabamas-will-anderson-jr-headline-the-2021-afca-fbs-coaches-all-america-teams/ American Football Coaches Association All-America Team]
  • [https://apnews.com/article/college-football-sports-ohio-alabama-crimson-tide-football-alabama-cfc6067ea8e0e269617f20fee772c9c9 Associated Press All-America Team]
  • [https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/2021-cbs-sports-all-america-team-sec-big-ten-dominate-list-combining-for-half-of-all-selections/ CBS Sports All-America Team]
  • [https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/32814347/the-2021-college-football-postseason-all-america-team ESPN All-America Team]
  • [http://www.sportswriters.net/fwaa/news/2021/allamerica211210.html Football Writers Association of America All-America Team]
  • [https://theathletic.com/3003597/2021/12/08/college-football-all-america-teams-2021-aidan-hutchinson-will-anderson-kenneth-walker-bryce-young-lead-seasons-best/ The Athletic All-America Team]
  • [https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/college-football-all-america-team-2021-sporting-news/wus7c8l8t5241pciwn30qo7h9/ The Sporting News 2021 College Football All-America Team]
  • [https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2021/12/10/bryce-young-kenny-pickett-all-america-team/6433515001/ USA Today All-America Team]
  • [https://waltercamp.org/2021-walter-camp-all-america-teams-presented-by-777-partners/ Walter Camp Football Foundation All-America Team]

=National award winners=

{{See also|2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season#Awards and honors}}

Home Depot Coach of the Year Award

Luke Fickell, Cincinnati{{cite press release|url=https://gobearcats.com/news/2021/12/7/football-fickell-named-the-home-depot-national-coach-of-the-year.aspx|title=Fickell Named The Home Depot National Coach of the Year |publisher=GoBearcats |date=December 7, 2021 |access-date=December 7, 2021}}

Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year

Luke Fickell, Cincinnati{{cite press release|url=https://gobearcats.com/news/2021/12/20/football-fickell-named-eddie-robinson-coach-of-the-year-by-fwaa.aspx|title=Fickell Named Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year by FWAA |publisher=GoBearcats |date=December 20, 2021 |access-date=December 20, 2021}}

Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year

Luke Fickell, Cincinnati{{cite press release|url=https://chick-fil-apeachbowl.com/news/2021/12/30/dodd-trophy-award-presented-by-peach-bowl-inc-luke-fickell-wins-2021-dodd-trophy.aspx|title=Luke Fickell Wins 2021 Dodd Trophy |publisher=Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl |date=December 30, 2021 |access-date=January 1, 2022}}

AFCA Coach of Year

Luke Fickell, Cincinnati{{cite press release|url=https://gobearcats.com/news/2022/1/9/football-fickell-named-afca-coach-of-year.aspx|title=Fickell Named AFCA Coach of Year |publisher=GoBearcats |date=January 9, 2022 |access-date=January 9, 2022}}

Bear Bryant Award

Luke Fickell, Cincinnati{{cite web |last1=Duarte |first1=Joseph |title=Cincinnati's Luke Fickell wins Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/college/article/Cincinnati-s-Luke-Fickell-wins-Paul-Bear-Bryant-16771761.php |website=HoustonChronicle.com |publisher=Houston Chronicle |access-date=13 January 2022 |date=January 12, 2022}}

Paul Hornung Award

Marcus Jones, Houston{{cite press release|url=https://uhcougars.com/news/2021/12/8/football-jones-named-paul-hornung-award-winner.aspx|title=Jones Named Paul Hornung Award Winner |publisher=UHCougars |date=December 8, 2021 |access-date=December 8, 2021}}

Jim Thorpe Award

Coby Bryant, Cincinnati{{cite press release|url=https://gobearcats.com/news/2021/12/9/football-coby-bryant-wins-the-2021-paycom-jim-thorpe-award.aspx|title=Coby Bryant Wins the 2021 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award |publisher=GoBearcats |date=December 9, 2021 |access-date=December 9, 2021}}

Jet Award

Marcus Jones, Houston{{cite web |last1= |first1= |title=A celebration of football: Jet Award Gala saw the stars out in Omaha |url=https://www.ketv.com/article/celebration-of-football-jet-award-gala-stars-omaha/39721138# |website=ketv.com |publisher=KETV |access-date=8 August 2022 |date=April 13, 2022}}

{{cite web |title=2021 College Football Award Winners |url=http://www.espn.com/college-football/awards/_/year/2021 |website=ESPN.com |publisher=ESPN}}

NFL Draft

The following list includes all AAC players who were drafted in the 2022 NFL draft.

class="wikitable sortable" border="1" style="text-align: center;"
Player

! Position

! School

! Draft
Round

! Round
Pick

! Overall
Pick

! Team

Sauce Gardner

| CB

| Cincinnati

| 1

| 4

| 4

| New York Jets

Tyler Smith

| OT

| Tulsa

| 1

| 24

| 24

| Dallas Cowboys

Logan Hall

| DT

| Houston

| 2

| 1

| 33

| Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Alec Pierce

| WR

| Cincinnati

| 2

| 21

| 53

| Indianapolis Colts

Bryan Cook

| S

| Cincinnati

| 2

| 30

| 62

| Kansas City Chiefs

Desmond Ridder

| QB

| Cincinnati

| 3

| 10

| 74

| Atlanta Falcons

Marcus Jones

| DB

| Houston

| 3

| 21

| 85

| New England Patriots

Dylan Parham

| OG

| Memphis

| 3

| 26

| 90

| Las Vegas Raiders

Myjai Sanders

| DE

| Cincinnati

| 3

| 36

| 100

| Arizona Cardinals

Danny Gray

| WR

| SMU

| 3

| 41

| 105

| San Francisco 49ers

Coby Bryant

| CB

| Cincinnati

| 4

| 4

| 109

| Seattle Seahawks

Calvin Austin

| WR

| Memphis

| 4

| 33

| 138

| Pittsburgh Steelers

Damarion Williams

| CB

| Houston

| 4

| 36

| 141

| Baltimore Ravens

Jerome Ford

| RB

| Cincinnati

| 5

| 13

| 156

| Cleveland Browns

Darrian Beavers

| LB

| Cincinnati

| 6

| 3

| 182

| New York Giants

Grant Calcaterra

| TE

| SMU

| 6

| 20

| 198

| Philadelphia Eagles

Curtis Brooks

| DT

| Cincinnati

| 6

| 38

| 216

| Indianapolis Colts

Kalia Davis

| DT

| UCF

| 6

| 42

| 220

| San Francisco 49ers

Chris Paul

| OG

| Tulsa

| 7

| 9

| 230

| Washington Commanders

References

{{Reflist}}

{{American Athletic Conference football navbox}}

{{2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season navbox}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2021 American Athletic Conference football season}}