text: While the American Athletic Conference East division remains a three-team race, Houston is in the driver’s seat as the only remaining unbeaten team in the West.
  
  Houston, which has won its first two league games by an average 18.5 points, moved to No. 2 in the weekly power rankings compiled by 12 beat reporters from every conference school.
  
  Here is how the league stacks up heading into Week 8:
  
  1. UCF
  
  Previous ranking: 1 | Points: 143
  
  Record: 6-0 (3-0 AAC)
  
  Last week: defeated Memphis, 31-30
  
  This week: at East Carolina
  
  Trajectory: Steady. Tailback Taj McGowan rushed for two scores including a 71-yard touchdown in the third quarter and quarterback McKenzie Milton scored on a seven-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter to help UCF rally from a double-digit deficit in the first half to knock off Memphis.
  
  Did you know? McKenzie Milton passed Blake Bortles for fourth-place all-time in program history for career passing yards (7,817). - Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel
  
  2. Houston
  
  Previous ranking: 3 | Points: 123Record: 5-1 (2-0 AAC)
  
  Last week: defeated East Carolina, 42-20
  
  This week: at Navy
  
  Trajectory: Surging. Against overmatched ECU, All-America defensive tackle Ed Oliver recorded his first two sacks of the season, tied AAC single-game record with five tackles for loss and forced a fumble that led to a touchdown. Oliver has enjoyed success against Navy, setting a career-high with 14 tackles, including 3 ½ for loss and two sacks, in last year's meeting. "He's always given us trouble," Navy coach Ken Niumatalolo said.
  
  Did you know? Houston needs one win to become bowl eligible for the sixth consecutive season and 12th time in the last 14 years. - Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle
  
  3. USF
  
  Previous ranking: 2 | Points: 121
  
  Record: 6-0 (2-0 AAC)
  
  Last week: defeated Tulsa, 25-24
  
  This week: vs. Connecticut
  
  Trajectory: Steady. Midway through the season, the Bulls, who have trailed or been tied entering the fourth quarter in four of their six contests, still are struggling to deliver a complete game. UConn, ranked last nationally in a number of major defensive categories, may represent the ideal antidote for USF.
  
  Did you know? The Bulls formally became bowl-eligible Friday at Tulsa, the earliest they have achieved such status in their 22-season history. - Joey Knight, Tampa Bay Times
  
  4. Cincinnati
  
  Previous ranking: 4 | Points: 117
  
  Record: 6-0 (2-0 AAC)
  
  Last week: Open date
  
  This week: at Temple
  
  Trajectory: Steady. Tight end Josiah Deguara leads UC with 21 catches for 296 yards (u14.1-yard average) and is tied for the team lead with three TD catches. Deguara is on pace to become the first Bearcats tight end to lead the team in catches since future Kansas City Chiefs All-Pro Travis Kelce did it in 2012.
  
  Did you know? UC seeks its first 7-0 start since 2009, when Brian Kelly’s final UC team went 12-0 during the regular season. UC closed that year with a Sugar Bowl loss to Florida. - Tom Groeschen, Cincinnati Enquirer
  
  5. Temple
  
  Previous ranking: 5 | Points: 94
  
  Record: 4-3 (3-0 AAC)
  
  Last week: defeated Navy, 24-17
  
  This week: vs. Cincinnati
  
  Trajectory: Surging. Wide receiver Ventell Bryant scored his first touchdown since the 2016 AAC championship game. He had eight receptions for 147 yards and a TD in the win over Navy. His 62-yard TD from Anthony Russo (22-31, 300 yards) was the game-winning play. RB Ryquell Armstead missed the game due to injury.
  
  Did you know? Bryant has caught at least one pass in each of his 42 career games. - Marc Narducci, Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News​
  
  6. Memphis
  
  Previous ranking: 6 | Points: 80
  
  Record: 4-3 (1-3 AAC)
  
  Last week: lost to UCF, 31-30
  
  This week: at Missouri
  
  Trajectory: Sliding. Memphis played one of its best halves of football against UCF, but it was before halftime. The Tigers led by as many as 16 points, but UCF came roaring back to not only win but hold Memphis scoreless in the second half. Darrell Henderson crossed the 1,000-yard mark for the season after rushing for 199 yards and a touchdown. Memphis must quickly recover for its first SEC opponent in two years.
  
  Did you know? Darrell Henderson leads all FBS players in rushing, total TDs, all-purpose yards and yards per carry. - Evan Barnes, The Commercial Appeal
  
  7. Tulane
  
  Previous ranking: 7 | Points: 70
  
  Record: 2-4 (1-1 AAC)
  
  Last week: Open date
  
  This week: vs. SMU
  
  Trajectory: Steady. Coach Willie Fritz remains noncommittal about his plan at quarterback. LSU transfer Justin McMillan played the entire second half against Cincinnati on Oct. 6 while Jonathan Banks watched from the sideline. The winner of Tulane-SMU gets sole possession of second place in the AAC West at worst.
  
  Did you know? Tulane (nine TDs, two field goals) is one of eight FBS teams to score every time they reach the red zone but is third-to-last nationally in number of red zone possessions (11). - Guerry Smith, The New Orleans Advocate
  
  8. Navy
  
  Previous ranking: 8 | Points: 58
  
  Record: 2-4 (1-2 AAC)
  
  Last week: lost to Temple, 24-17
  
  This week: vs. Houston
  
  Trajectory: Skidding. The Midshipmen suffered their third straight loss and are in real danger of missing the postseason for just the second time since 2003. Navy is playing 13 games this season so it must reach seven victories in order to qualify for a bowl. That won’t be easy considering the next four opponents (Houston, Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Central Florida) have a combined record of 24-1.
  
  Did you know? Over the last five seasons, Navy is one of just seven schools at the FBS level that has not lost to a team that finished with a losing record. Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Michigan and Ohio State are the others. That streak might be in jeopardy this season as the Mids have lost to SMU (2-4) and Air Force (2-4). - Bill Wagner, Baltimore Sun Media Group
  
  9. SMU
  
  Previous ranking: 9 | Points: 57
  
  Record: 2-4 (1-1 AAC)
  
  Last week: Open date
  
  This week: at Tulane
  
  Trajectory: Steady. Coach Sonny Dykes said no decision has been made at quarterback between Ben Hicks and William Brown. “We’d liked to get that settled and have a clear-cut starter. I’m not sure we are there yet.” The open date should allow some injured players to return.
  
  Did you know? SMU is ranked 115th out of 129 FBS programs in rushing at 121.7 yards per game. - Joseph Duarte, Houston Chronicle
  
  10. Tulsa
  
  
  
  Previous ranking: 11 | Points: 32
  
  Record: 1-5 (0-3 AAC)
  
  Last week: lost to USF, 25-24
  
  This week: at Arkansas
  
  Trajectory: Steady. Another fourth-quarter lead vanished, when the Hurricane stumbled 25-24 in dramatic fashion against unbeaten USF. After going up two touchdowns, Tulsa netted zero yards on its four drives in the fourth quarter while allowing 214 yards from the Bulls.
  
  Did you know? Despite a quarterback change, Tulsa is averaging only 172.2 passing yards per game. - Kelly Hines, Tulsa World
  
  11. East Carolina
  
  Previous ranking: 10 | Points: 28
  
  Record: 2-4 (0-3 AAC)
  
  Last week: lost to Houston, 42-20
  
  This week: vs. UCF
  
  Trajectory: Skidding. With No. 10 UCF up next and the Pirates’ offense sputtering, they are turning to true freshman and Greenville native Holton Ahlers to start at quarterback. The left-hander is ECU’s leading rusher and has been limited as a passer to this point, but he showed progression with a TD pass last week against Houston.
  
  Did you know? The Pirates went 10 quarters in league play without scoring a touchdown, stopping the streak late in the fourth quarter against Houston with two TDs. - Ronnie Woodward, Greenville (N.C.) Daily Reflector
  
  12. Connecticut
  
  
  
  Previous ranking: 12 | Points: 12
  
  Record: 1-5 (0-3 AAC)
  
  Last week: Open date
  
  This week: at USF
  
  Trajectory: Skidding. An off week allowed UConn to catch its breath after three straight blowout losses. The Huskies won’t win many games the rest of the season, but as the schedule gets a bit easier (following this weekend’s tough matchup with USF), coach Randy Edsall hopes they might show signs of improvement.
  
  Did you know? USF will be the sixth undefeated opponent UConn has faced over its first seven games. - Alex Putterman, Hartford Courant