[1] The American consisted of 12 members: Cincinnati, East Carolina, Houston, Memphis, SMU, South Florida, Temple, Tulane, Tulsa, UCF, UConn, Navy.

In June 2015, the Collegiate Commissioner's Association announced that it would postpone final rankings until after the annual Army–Navy Game if Navy or Army are in contention for a spot in the semifinals or a New Years Six bowl.

On December 3, 2015, Memphis hired Arizona State offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Norvell, replacing Justin Fuente who took the job at Virginia Tech.

[5] replacing Ruffin McNeill who was relieved of his duties as ECU head coach after finishing the season with a record of 5–7.

2016 records against FBS conferences Through Dec 29, 2016 ‡This game was played at a neutral site The following individuals received postseason honors as voted by the American Athletic Conference football coaches at the end of the season WR – Zay Jones, East Carolina WR – Courtland Sutton, SMU WR – Keevan Lucas, Tulsa OT – Kofi Amichia, South Florida OT – Dion Dawkins, Temple OG – Adam West, Navy OG – Black Belcher, Tulsa C – Chandler Miller, Tulsa TE – Daniel Montiel, Memphis QB – Quinton Flowers, South Florida RB – Marlon Mack, South Florida K – Jake Elliott, Memphis RS – Tony Pollard, Memphis DL – Haason Reddick, Temple* DL – Ed Oliver, Houston* DL – Tanzel Smart, Tulane DL Justin Lawler, SMU LB – Shaquem Griffin, UCF LB – Eric Wilson, Cincinnati LB – Steven Taylor, Houston LB – Genard Avery, Memphis LB – Nico Marley, Tulane CB Horace Richardson, SMU CB – Howard Wilson, Houston S – Darrion Millines, SMU S – Obi Melifonwu, UConn P – Spencer Smith, Memphis WR – Noel Thomas, UConn WR – Anthony Miller, Memphis WR – Rodney Adams, South Florida OT – Blake Copeland, Navy OT – Evan Plagg, Tulsa OG – Dominique Threatt, South Florida OG – Tyler Bowling, Tulsa C – Maurice Morris, Navy TE – Mitchell Wilcox, South Florida QB – Greg Ward Jr., Houston RB – Jahad Thomas, Temple RB – D'Angelo Brewer, Tulsa K – Aaron Boumerhi, Temple RS – D'Ernest Johnson, South Florida DL – Jamiyus Pittman, UCF DL – Cortez Broughton, Cincinnati DL – Deadrin Senat, South Florida DL – Praise Martin-Oguike, Temple LB – Tyus Bowser, Houston LB – Micah Thomas, Navy LB – Auggie Sanchez, South Florida LB – Avery Williams, Temple CB – Shaquill Griffin, UCF CB – Brandon Wilson, Houston CB – Deatrick Nichols, South Florida CB – Parry Nickerson, Tulane S – Garrett Davis, Houston S – Sean Chandler, Temple P – Worth Gregory, ECU The American had a conference-record 15 players selected in the 2017 NFL draft, which placed it as the fifth most prolific conference in the draft.