The University of Central Florida received 19 of 30 first-place votes to win the American Athletic Conference title at media days in Newport, Rhode Island.
UCF went undefeated in the 2017 football season and brought down Auburn on the national stage in the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day to rank No. 6 in the final AP Poll.
Former head coach Scott Frost and crew took over during the Peach Bowl and handed over the reigns to new head coach Josh Heupel of Mizzou.
The Knights return 14 starters, including quarterback McKenzie Milton.
Memphis and USF remain the strongest in-conference contenders against the Knights in the 2018 season.
2018 American Athletic Conference Preseason Media Poll
The American Championship (First Place Votes)
1. UCF (19)
2. Memphis (7)
3. USF (3)
4. Houston (1)
East Division (First Place Votes / Points)
1. UCF (25 / 175)
2. USF (5 / 140)
3. Temple (0 / 132)
4. Cincinnati (0 / 91)
5. UConn (0 / 51)
6. ECU (0 / 41)
West Division (First Place Votes / Points)
1. Memphis (23 / 171)
2. Houston (4 / 146)
3. Navy (3 / 129)
4. SMU (0 / 72)
5. Tulane (0 / 68)
6. Tulsa (0 / 44)
