The American Conference landed a marquee victory when South Florida throttled 2024 College Football Playoff participant Boise State 34-7 at home on Thursday night. The Bulls gave up an early touchdown before dominating the Broncos the rest of the way.

With the lone ranked Group of Five conference team getting exposed — Boise State was 25th in the preseason Associated Press poll — the American already is in the driver’s seat to take the guaranteed playoff spot outside of the Power Four. South Florida, which has road games at Florida and Miami next on a brutal early schedule, was the consensus pick for fifth in the league.

As the season gets underway in earnest this weekend, here is the American Conference power rankings:

1. Tulane

2024 record: 9-5 overall, 7-1 American

This week: v

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