By Patrick Stevens October 19 at 7:00 AM

"College football’s most compelling conference race isn’t in the Big Ten, the SEC or the ACC. It certainly isn’t in the Pac-12. And it may not even be in the Big 12 Minus Two, though there’s still a case there.

Instead, it is arguably in the American Athletic Conference, specifically an East Division that could see three teams make it into November without a blemish. A bit of scheduling luck and the rapid improvement of a program that was down the past two years has left the AAC with the potential for a captivating final four weeks.

And maybe, just maybe, if last week’s chaos on the national landscape continues without affecting commissioner Mike Aresco’s league, there could be a playoff berth waiting at the end.

That’s a stretch, as last year’s undefeated Central Florida team can attest. But there’s at least a chance that some blockbuster games could yield a tested and undefeated champion by early December.

There’s Central Florida (6-0), winners of 19 in a row dating back to the start of last season. The Knights have the clearest path of the three conference undefeateds to remain perfect into November, with a trip to East Carolina on Saturday (7 p.m., ESPN2) followed by an open date. Quarterback McKenzie Milton (1,797 yards, 16 touchdowns, four interceptions) remains one of the nation’s most effective passers.

There’s Cincinnati (6-0), which went 4-8 in each of the last two years but won its opener at UCLA and has faced a fairly modest schedule. The Bearcats are getting it done with a strong running game (Michael Warren II has 664 yards on the ground) and a stingy defense ranked fourth nationally in total yards allowed and eighth against the pass.

Also in the mix is South Florida (6-0), which has three one-possession victories, including last week’s escape at Tulsa.

None of these teams will see each other until Nov. 10, when South Florida visits Cincinnati. The Bearcats travel to Central Florida the next week. Then comes the annual War on I-4 between the two Sunshine State schools the day after Thanksgiving, with the AAC title game looming the following week.

Multiple November matchups of undefeated teams will not come easily. South Florida has to visit AAC West leader Houston next week, and 4-3 Temple faces all three over the next month, including Cincinnati’s visit to Philadelphia on Saturday (noon, ESPNU).

Fair or not, any AAC team will need some help to come close to a playoff berth, with Central Florida the most realistic contender. But there’s no extra assistance needed for a conference boasting as fascinating a title race as there is... ."

Maybe it is just me, but the above article from the Washington Post and other national media stories are showing that Aresco's power conference claims are no longer being outright scoffed at anymore.

I am beginning to agree with others that ESPN will have to pay up on the upcoming television contract.