You can't have it both ways. Everybody is saying charlie strong success came from teddy and playing in a weak conference but fuente is a great coach.
You don't see any differences?
Teddy Bridgewater was a consensus 4 star recruit and a top tier QB coming out of HS. He was a stud. Schools wanted him (especially us).
Paxton Lynch was a nobody who had no offers (besides Memphis). His career HS numbers were 1100 Passing Yards, 51% Completion and 10 TDs 10 INTs.
Fuente is a QB guy. This is his second development, Andy Dalton being his first. He has a track record at the position, I wouldn't say this is a fluke. I wouldn't say that Paxton Lynch was a sure fired NFL pick coming out of HS. If he was, how come nobody showed interest.
As for the AAC being weak, that is your call. There are 3 ranked teams in the conference TODAY. In 2012, there was only 1 team finished ranked in the top 25 in the Big East (UL). In 2013, there were two (UCF and UL) and UL lost to the other ranked team.