College Football Preview: Central Florida

Central Florida Knights

2015 Results: 0-12 (0-8, 6th in East)

Returning Starters: 8 OFF, 5 DEF, 2 SP

2016 Schedule:

September

3rd SOUTH CAROLINA STATE

10th at Michigan

17th MARYLAND

24th at Florida International

October

1st at East Carolina

7th TULANE

15th TEMPLE

22nd at Connecticut

29th at Houston

November

12th CINCINNATI

19th TULSA

26th SOUTH FLORIDA

Last year, UCF was at the bottom of the nation in nearly every statistical category. Head coach George O'Leary resigned after going winless one year removed from sharing the conference championship. This year, the Knights should begin a turnaround under new head coach Scott Frost. Coming from Oregon where he was the offensive coordinator, Frost is changing strategy on both sides of the ball. Instead of the pro-style/option, it will be the hurry up style you are familiar with when you watch the Oregon Ducks. On the defensive side, they will be implementing a 3-4 in place of the 4-3 used last year. This UCF team already looks different from its predecessor. 

On offense, two-year starter Justin Holman is expected to be the starting quarterback. The senior will have two competitors going into fall camp, but is expected to win the job. The offensive line is expected to be the most improved platoon. Last season, the o-line gave up 23 sacks, and blocked enough that the Knights could only muster 81.3 rushing yards per game. 

The defense needs to improve before the Knights will make an upward climb. Last season, they gave up 464.1 ypg (113), 199.2 rushing yards per game (100), and 37.7 ppg (117). The offense only averaged 13.9 ppg, so that last number tells you just how minimal of an effect they had. The Knights only forced 13 turnovers while giving the ball away 33 times. The Knights have weapons on offense, it will need the defense to pick up the slack. 

Player to Watch: Tre'Quan Smith, WR

Smith was the leading receiver on the Knights as a freshman last year. His 724 yards made up 32% of the Knights total receiving yards. 

If you only watch them play once, watch:

9/3 South Carolina State

Let's be honest, a game against an FCS team isn't likely to be televised. However, this is a very winnable game. UCF will have their first real shot at a win since December 4th, 2014 when they knocked off East Carolina to clinch a share of the American Athletic Championship. The following week at Michigan might get them exposure, but it will be a blood bath. 

What to Expect

UCF will dwell in the bottom of the conference. Frost has the potential to see this program return to it's winning ways, but this isn't the year. There is one locked win and four games that can be considered toss-ups. 

Prediction

2-10 (1-7, AAC) 

-Dug

@chansm1th

Possible Big XII Expasion

The Big XII lost huge teams in the last 6 years. Texas A&M, Nebraska, and Missouri. Then they lost Colorado. Dropping the conference down to just 8 teams. West Virginia and TCU were added to try and stop the bleeding (which are two perfect additions by the conference).

Here in 2016, conference champions have an easier path to the College Football Playoff. The Big XII does not have a conference championship game because the NCAA requires a conference to have 12 teams to hold a championship game. Oklahoma suffered from not having a conference game this last year. Oklahoma held the #3 spot in the Playoff rankings going into week 14. After week 14, conference championship week, Michigan State jumped Oklahoma and the Sooners dropped to #4. Just ask TCU and Baylor how great being named co-champions back in 2015 helped their College Playoff chances.

Rumors have been swirling about who the Big XII plans on adding to the conference. Houston and Memphis have been the 2 teams most media outlets are reporting to join the Big 12. There are also some rumblings about Cincinnati, UCF, BYU, and Colorado State.

All of these teams make sense. Houston would add another team in Texas, but that could end up being a good rival for Oklahoma or Texas. BYU is a football team that always gives P5 teams problems. The Cougars have had at least 8 wins in the past 5 seasons. They're crazy Mormon but a good team with a good rival in Utah. Cincinnati would get the Big XII into Ohio, which surprisingly has a lot of football talent. The Bearcats would give West Virginia a natural rival. UCF gets the Big XII into Florida. The Knights have been up and down in the last few years, but Orlando is central to a lot of talent that would help the conference. Finally, Colorado State, this seems like a way to get the state of Colorado back. Colorado State has had some recent success, and getting out of the Mountain West would improve the Colorado-Colorado State rivalry. Any wins over the Pac 12 in Big XII country is a win in recruiting for the conference.


I would love for the Big XII to call up Boise State to add the Broncos. How awesome would it be to see TCU and Boise State battle it out every year after the battles in the WAC and MWC?! But honestly, I just want to see that beautiful blue field on TV more.

Who else do you want to see in the Big XII? Hit me up in the comments below.

Alty
@ericaltenhof