UCF Football: Can Knights repeat undefeated season?

Offense

Last year, the Knights boasted the top scoring offense in the country. Nine of the 11 starters from the unit that put up 48.2 points per game return for the 2018 campaign. That bodes well for Heupel, who will serve as his own offensive coordinator in 2018. Heupel and his position coaches will have no problem maintaining continuity on the field even as they try to up the pace even further.

Adrian Killins Jr. returns as UCF’s key running back in 2018. So too do all of the receiving corps except Tre’Quan Smith. The loss of Smith should be easily mitigated by more targets for receivers like Dredrick Snelson and Marlon Williams and an increased role for hybrid runner/receiver Otis Anderson. This year’s offense is populated with a veteran group of players that have developed together over the past several years.

That extends to an offensive line that ranked fifth nationally in sacks allowed last year. The line should have another strong season as a unit. Five starters return from last year, boasting 79 starts between them. And the new staff fortified the line by adding Parker Boudreaux, a guard from local Bishop Moore Catholic who originally committed to Notre Dame, and four-star tackle Trevor Elbert from the junior-college ranks.

Focusing on McKenzie Milton

The catalyst for how far UCF goes in 2018, though, will undoubtedly be the same catalyst that piloted the team to so much success in 2017. McKenzie Milton’s progression at quarterback was the key to the Knights’ undefeated run, and he could be looking at a potential Heisman run if he continues his progression in 2018.

Last year, Milton did a little of everything. The sophomore ranked second nationally behind Heisman winner Baker Mayfield in passing efficiency. Milton also ranked fourth in the FBS in passing touchdowns, seventh in passing yards, and ninth in yards per game through the air. But he also took on teams with his legs, finishing second behind Killins in rushing yards in 2017 and adding another eight scores on the ground.

Milton has the potential to realize the goal Quinton Flowers tried to achieve last season — becoming a Heisman threat from one of Florida’s Group of Five schools. As long as the junior adjusts quickly to any tweaks Heupel introduces to the offense, UCF could have another dominant season thanks to Milton’s arm and legs.