UCF football made a huge statement in its dominating win over the Pittsburgh Panthers. Will UCF finally make it into the top 10?
In Week 5 of the college football season, UCF played host to the Pittsburgh Panthers. The UCF Knights entered the game with a 16-game win streak, with its inception being the first game of the 2017 season.
The weather was also a factor in the non-conference matchup. In Orlando, the temperature was around 90 degrees with a heat index of 98 degrees due to the humidity.
While the Knights were use to the temperature, the Pitt players were clearly affected. With the average temperature in Pittsburgh being in the 70s the week prior to the game, some Panther players were cramping during the match.
Pitt won the toss and decided to kickoff to the Knights. Where most people would assume the away team would want to receive the ball in order to get off to an early start, Pitt chose otherwise. This approach didn’t work out too well for the Panthers.
By halftime, the score read 31-7, with UCF in the lead. The game ended, 45-14, and UCF extended their win streak to 17.
Let’s take a look at what else we can conclude from this game.
3. McKenzie Milton for Heisman
McKenzie Milton’s story fits perfectly with UCF Football. Out of high school, he was incredibly underrated and did not receive the attention he deserved. The Hawaii-native was ranked merely 126th-best quarterback in his graduating class. His only scholarship offers were from the University of Hawaii and Central Florida.
Former UCF head coach Scott Frost recognized Milton’s talent and convinced him to de-commit from Hawaii and come to UCF.
Milton, a true dual-threat quarterback, has proven that he is much better than 126. In fact, Milton is a top-10 quarterback in the country. He scored the Knights first touchdown of the game on a five yard run, for his fourth rushing touchdown of the season. As for the second touchdown of the game, Milton perfectly placed a 24-yard pass to wide receiver, Gabriel Davis, to put the Knights up 14-0 early in the game.
Milton rushed for a second touchdown early in the second quarter for 23 yards. He finished the game with 328 passing yards for four passing touchdowns. However, he also demonstrated his mobility with 51 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
As UCF continues to win, McKenzie Milton will gain more and more Heisman recognition.
2. Defense is quick and athletic
Many college football fans praise the defenses of Alabama, Georgia, and Clemson. However, the UCF defense is rarely recognized. Across the board, the Knight’s defensive players are smaller than most big-name defenses. However, where they lack in size, they make up for in speed and athleticism.
The speed was apparent in this week’s game against Pittsburgh. UCF forced many 3rd and long plays while making the Pitt quarterback, Kenny Pickett, scramble outside of the pocket despite the sizable offensive lineman for Pittsburgh. Additionally, UCFs speed is why they can compete with Power 5 teams like they did against Auburn in last year’s Peach Bowl.
Since Pitt knew that the UCF offense was going to attempt to score quickly throughout the game, the Panthers were hoping to win the time possession battle, which they did. However, the Pitt offense was scoreless through three quarters. The Panthers finally scored their first points with 4 minutes and 46 seconds left in the fourth quarter.
The College Football Playoff selection committee should not worry about the UCF defense when decision time comes.
1. The offense is fast, fast, fast
Unlike professional football, players are heavily dependent upon coaching and play calling from the sideline. Therefore, if an offense is able to get a play called, line up, and snap the ball in a short amount of time, they will have an exceptional advantage over their opponent.
The Knights employed a hurry up offense this week against Pitt and was able to catch the defense on their heels multiple times. With the temperature being so high, and UCF snapping the ball within 10 seconds of the previous play being over, the Panther’s defense was simply worn down.
Over and over again, McKenzie Milton made deep throws to wide receivers that were simply running past the opposing defensive back. A hurry up offense is hard to run effectively. However, with the leadership of Milton, the Knights have the ability to beat even the best defenses with the pace of their offense.
Next week, UCF faces conference opponent at home, SMU, which should be an even easier game than this one against Pitt. If UCF isn’t ranked in the top 10 next week, it will be the biggest crime in college football since UCF not making last year’s College Football Playoff.