When discussing college football conferences with the strongest case to send a team to the College Football Playoff, the American Athletic Conference doesn’t typically have a horse in the race.

Usually, it’s the big names: the Southeastern Conference, the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Big Ten, and so on. Those are the conferences getting the majority of the love for the CFP.

But don’t sleep on the AAC’s three shining schools — Memphis, Temple and Houston —  this season.

The Memphis Tigers have showed out in head coach Justin Fuente’s third year with a flawless record thus far. Beefing up the resume in a big way is the Tigers’ 37-24 win against No. 13 Ole Miss. Finish undefeated and capture the AAC conference championship, and the Tigers have a puncher’s chance to make the College Football Playoff. 

One of the two teams in their way is the Temple Owls, who have a shot at No. 9 Notre Dame this weekend. Beating the Fighting Irish would be Temples’ marquee victory in their argument for the CFP, but it’s not the Owls only win over a major program on their resume. Temple beat Penn State, 27-10, to open the season.

Though Houston’s only ranked matchup will come against Memphis on Nov. 14, the Cougars are also undefeated and could stake their claim as the best team in the AAC by beating out Memphis and Temple for the conference championship

With a growing three-headed monster, the AAC isn’t making life for the Power Five, or College Football Playoff selection committee, any easier. 

LOOK: American Athletic Football Rankings And Reactions, Week 8