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UCF Football: Preview, prediction, live stream vs. Navy in Week 8

By Dana Becker

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 29: Scott Frost, head coach of the University of Central Florida Knight walks the sidelines during the second quarter of his team's game against the University of Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Richard Carson/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 29: Scott Frost, head coach of the University of Central Florida Knight walks the sidelines during the second quarter of his team's game against the University of Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium on October 29, 2016 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Richard Carson/Getty Images) /
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The scoreboard operator inside Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is likely to be in for a long day this Saturday when Central Florida football visits Navy.

The American Athletic Conference clash features the Knights, who are averaging over 50 points per game and almost 550 yards of total offense led by former Nebraska star quarterback Scott Frost as head coach.

Frost, who was a run-first, run-second and run-third QB under Tom Osborne for the Huskers, has as balanced of an offense as you will find in the nation. UCF averages 321 yards passing and 225 yards rushing.

Navy brings its vaunted triple-option attack that is posting almost 400 yards rushing per game to face off against a Central Florida rush defense allowing 110 yards on the ground. The Midshipmen are also a high-scoring offense, averaging 35.5 points per game.

In the last five games for Central Florida, they have scored 63, 51, 40, 38 and 61 points, including a victory at Maryland. Navy, coming off a three-point loss at Memphis, has surpassed 40 points twice in its last four games.

Here’s how to watch Saturday’s UCF vs. Navy game:

Date: Saturday, Oct. 21
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Annapolis, Md.
Venue: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
TV: CBS Sports Network
Live Stream: CBS

Keys to Victory

Through the first two months of the season, the only thing that has been able to stop Central Florida has been the weather.

Hurricane-related issues have scrapped plans for three games, with one being rescheduled already in the Memphis contest. Scott Frost has kept his team focused through it all, dominating all five opponents with the closest game being a 40-13 win over the Tigers.

UCF served notice back in September when they defeated Maryland on the road, 38-10, despite having not played for over three weeks. In the last three games, the Knights have run all over Memphis (40-13), Cincinnati (51-23) and East Carolina (63-21), making Frost one of the hottest coaching prospects in the nation.

How has he been able to turn Central Florida into a conference title contender in a short period of time? Easy, recruiting talent.

Quarterback McKenzie Milton is averaging over 11.5 yards per attempt, completing 70 percent of his passes for 15 touchdowns and just two interceptions. He has 1,489 yards on the season, including back-to-back 300-yard games.

During the recent run, Milton was 16 of 19 for 374 yards and five touchdowns vs. Cincinnati, giving him a quarterback rating of 336.4. He’s also posted QB ratings over 200 two other times this year.

Speed back Adrian Killins, Jr. leads the team with 291 yards, averaging almost nine yards per carry. Tre’Quan Smith has 20 receptions for 430 yards, with an average of 21.5 yards per reception, and Jordan Akins has 11 for 214 — good for 19.5 per catch.

In a complete contrast to that style enters Navy, as the Midshipmen sit at 397.5 yards rushing per game and just 81.8 through the air.

Junior Zach Abey will be trying to move on following a turnover-filled showing last week. The Maryland native has run for over 100 yards in every game this season, including 235 in a win vs. Florida Atlantic and 214 vs. Air Force.

He is 17-of-47 for 491 yards passing with five touchdowns on the season, adding 1,016 yards and 12 scores on the ground.

Navy is coming off a five-turnover performance that cost them a win vs. Memphis. Abey had two interceptions and three lost fumbles, offsetting his 146-yard, 3-touchdown performance. He was also just 1-of-7 passing for 20 yards.

Prediction

Navy committing five turnovers again would seem highly unlikely, but Central Florida doesn’t need that kind of help anyway.

Frost has the Knights riding high and looking to continue their climb up the rankings towards a possible big bowl game in January.

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To accomplish that, Central Florida needs to continue putting up numbers and dominating the opposition. Milton and his speedy group of backs and receivers will have a field day with the Navy defense.

Final Score: Central Florida 56, Navy 28

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