/s3.amazonaws.com/arc-wordpress-client-uploads/tbt/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/03150839/20459073.jpg "Josh Heupel, right, is introduced as the new Central Florida head football coach by Danny White, UCF Athletic director in Orlando, Fla., Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2017. Heupel has been the offensive coordinator at Missouri the past two seasons. He replaces Scott Frost, who accepted the Nebraska coaching job after leading UCF to a 12-0 record and the American Athletic Conference title. (Red Huber/Orlando Sentinel via AP) FLORL202")
UCF, which returns 14 starters from last season's 13-0 team, has been picked to repeat as American Athletic Conference champion in a poll of league media members.
The Knights received 19 of a possible 30 votes to win the overall title, and were picked on 25 ballots to win the East Division. USF, which returns 11 starters and its entire coaching staff from last season's 10-2 club, was picked to win the league on three ballots and picked as East champ on five.
Memphis was projected as conference champ on seven ballots, and was an overwhelming favorite (on 23 ballots) to win the West Division. Houston was pegged as overall league champ on one ballot.
Related: Preseason mags pick Bulls to again finish behind Knights
The entire preseason poll, released at the outset of the AAC media day in Newport, R.I., can be found here. Commissioner Mike Aresco is expected to deliver his annual opening statement later this morning.
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