Tom Groeschen

tgroeschen@enquirer.com

NEWPORT, R.I. - Tommy Tuberville could not recall ever being picked to win his league, but that changed here Tuesday for the University of Cincinnati football coach.

UC was picked to finish No. 1 in the American Athletic Conference preseason media poll, announced during media day at the Hyatt Regency Newport.

"First time in my 19 years that I've ever been picked to win the conference," Tuberville said. "I don't think I have, but I can't remember. But remember, Louisville was picked to win last year, and they didn't win."

UC tallied 311 total votes and 17 first-place votes. UCF (7) and Houston (6) also received first-place votes.

UCF, the reigning league champion, finished second in the poll with 296 points. Next were Houston (268), East Carolina (262), SMU (158), USF (157), Memphis (133), Temple (105), UConn (98), Tulane (98) and Tulsa (94).

What does it mean to be picked No. 1?

"There's good and bad," Tuberville said. "We'll have a target on our back every week. It's something we can take and run with or we can hide from it. Obviously you want to take it and run with it."

Tuberville's first UC team went 9-4 last year and finished third in the inaugural AAC season race, with a 6-2 league record. UCF won the league at 8-0 and Louisville, which since has left for the Atlantic Coast Conference, was second at 7-1.

Tuberville previously was head coach at Ole Miss (1995-98), Auburn (1999-2008) and Texas Tech (2010-12). He won five SEC Western Division titles and one SEC championship while at Auburn.

UC players had mixed reactions to the No. 1 spot. Running back Ralph David Abernathy IV, quarterback Munchie Legaux, linebacker Nick Temple and defensive back Adrian Witty were the four seniors representing UC at media day.

Legaux: "It's a pretty good feeling, but we wanted to get picked last or third or fourth like we always do. It doesn't define us, but it really doesn't matter where we're picked."

Abernathy: "We take it as an honor but rankings don't mean a whole lot to us, honestly. The key is just to go out there and get better every week and move towards that conference championship."

Temple: "It's a blessing, but we've got to go out there and do what needs to be done. I think we can take it in a humble way and show the conference that we really are the No. 1 team."

Witty: "It means expectations. There's a lot at stake now. Maybe we get to the top and maybe we don't, but No. 1, it's an honor."

UC returns 16 starters including all-league players in OT Eric Lefeld, RB Abernathy IV and DE Silverberry Mouhon.

Sophomore Gunner Kiel, who transferred from Notre Dame, leads the race to replace the departed Brendon Kay at quarterback. Junior college transfer Jarred Evans and Legaux also are in the mix at quarterback, with Legaux attempting to return from a severe knee injury that ended his 2013 season.

Center Deyshawn Bond (Rimington Award), Lefeld (Outland Trophy), Mouhon (Lombardi Trophy) and WR Shaq Washington (Biletnikoff Award) made preseason award watch lists.

"We've got to find a quarterback, which is the No. 1 thing," Tuberville said. "We've got to put everybody together as a group and come up with a more improved kicking game. If we can do all that, I'd say we might have a pretty good chance."

UC reports for training camp Aug. 10 at the Higher Ground Conference & Retreat Center in West Harrison, Ind., with the season opener Sept. 12 against Toledo (7 p.m., ESPNU) at Paul Brown Stadium.

NEW RECRUIT: UC also landed an oral commitment Tuesday from offensive lineman Evan Mallory of IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Mallory (6-5, 302) is rated a three-star player by most recruiting services, and he chose UC over Louisville. His offers also included Illinois, Indiana and Purdue.

AAC media poll

(First place votes/total points)

1. Cincinnati (17) 311

2. UCF (7) 296

3. Houston (6) 268

4. East Carolina 262

5. SMU 158

6. USF 157

7. Memphis 133

8. Temple 105

9. UConn 98

9. Tulane 98

11. Tulsa 94