American Conference Football Team Win Totals and Predictions for 2026
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One year after sending a team to the College Football Playoff, the American Conference is competing with the Pac-12 to be the premier Group of 6 league. There’s definitely depth in the 14-team conference.
Tulane, which is fresh off a playoff appearance, is in a six-way tie for the second-highest win total (7.5) in the American with Army, East Carolina, Memphis, Navy and UTSA. Leading the charge is South Florida (8.5), one of several teams introducing a new head coach this season. While there are several teams capable of finishing atop the American, it is also home to some of the lowest-rated teams in the FBS. Charlotte (2.5) brings up the rear in the betting markets.
Athlon Sports highlights the best over/under win total bets using DraftKings odds for the American Conference and predicts which side of each team’s total will hit in 2026.
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American Conference Over/Under Win Total Picks
Army (7.5)
Steven Lassan: Over
Kyle Wood: Over
Charlotte (2.5)
Lassan: Under
Wood: Under
East Carolina (7.5)
Lassan: Over
Wood: Under
Florida Atlantic (5.5)
Lassan: Over
Wood: Over
Memphis (7.5)
Lassan: Over
Wood: Over
Navy (7.5)
Lassan: Over
Wood: Over
North Texas (5.5)
Lassan: Under
Wood: Under
Rice (3.5)
Lassan: Under
Wood: Under
South Florida (8.5)
Lassan: Under
Wood: Under
Temple (5.5)
Lassan: Over
Wood: Over
Tulane (7.5)
Lassan: Under
Wood: Under
Tulsa (5.5)
Lassan: Under
Wood: Under
UAB (3.5)
Lassan: Over
Wood: Over
UTSA (7.5)
Lassan: Over
Wood: Over
Best American Conference Over/Under Bets for 2026
Army (Over 7.5)
With quarterback Cale Hellums and one of the nation’s top offensive lines returning, Army is poised for a run at a spot in the American Conference title game once again this fall. While the bulk of the teams in this conference are navigating transition, the stability and experience of coach Jeff Monken’s team should give this program an advantage. The schedule is also manageable. The Black Knights play at Temple and Memphis, while key swing matchups against South Florida, Tulane, Air Force and East Carolina take place in West Point. -Steven Lassan
Temple (Over 5.5)
The Owls just missed making their first bowl game since 2019 in coach KC Keeler’s debut. That was despite two one-point losses. Given the talent it returns from a competitive team, Temple is in position to end that drought if it just goes .500 in conference play. Given some of the teams that are visiting Philadelphia this fall, that’s not a big ask of this group. -Kyle Wood
Rice (Under 3.5)
The transfer addition of quarterback Jacurri Brown (UCF) should add a much-needed boost to Rice’s offense. However, the schedule is not kind for second-year coach Scott Abell’s team. The Owls will be underdogs to Notre Dame, Fresno State and Western Michigan in the non-conference slate. And in American Conference play, it’s tough to find two victories with road trips to East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, North Texas and Temple, along with home dates against Army, Tulane, Tulsa and UTSA. -Lassan
South Florida (Under 8.5)
The Bulls are coming off their best season since 2017, a season former coach Alex Golesh and Co. had been building toward since his arrival three years prior. South Florida lost many of the players responsible for that success in the transfer portal. And while Brian Hartline was a good hire, he is a first-time head coach. The non-conference schedule is shockingly easy, but the American slate offers little reprieve. -Wood
Memphis (Over 7.5)
Change is the biggest storyline for Memphis in 2026, but I like this program’s chances of hitting the over. New coach Charles Huff has thrived in the transfer portal era, including last season at Southern Miss, where he helped turn a team that won one game in ‘24 into a bowl squad last year. Some of those players from Southern Miss — including defensive lineman J’Mond Tapp and defensive back Ian Foster — followed Huff to Memphis. With UNLV and Boise State in the non-conference slate, the Tigers will have to rack up wins in American Conference play to hit the over. However, with Huff’s ability to quickly mold a roster full of transfers, along with home dates against East Carolina, Army and Temple, I think Memphis hits the over 7.5 and contends for the American Conference title. -Lassan
UAB (Over 3.5)
The Blazers won four games a season ago in a campaign marred by a midseason coaching change. Coach Alex Mortensen is now in charge afterhe invigorated the roster as the interim coach. Under his leadership, with some key pieces back at UAB, this team should at least match last season’s win total. The home schedule includes FCS Samford, ULM and Charlotte. Assuming those are all victories, that just leaves one more win for this group to hit the over. -Wood
Related: Picking the Best Group of 6 Game Every Week of the 2026 Season
Related: Ranking College Football’s 10 Conferences for the 2026 Season
Related: College Football Realignment Tracker: Who’s in What Conference Now?
College Football Conference Betting Predictions
Athlon Sports picks over/unders and best bets for 2026:
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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