LSU Football: 3 reasons to watch 2019 Playstation Fiesta Bowl vs. UCF

2. Will LSU show up motivated to play?

Both the UCF upset of Auburn last year and Utah’s takedown of Alabama a decade ago were not universally heralded as landmark victories for mid-major teams. One of the key critiques that came out in both of those games was that the SEC opponent taking on the Cinderella team was unmotivated to play in what amounted to a consolation prize for them after missing out on a conference title and a chance for a national title.

Coupled with the recent trend of top prospects sitting out their final bowl game in order to preserve their health for the NFL Draft, it will be interesting to see who actually shows up at all for Ed Orgeron’s crew. Top cornerback Greedy Williams has already opted to sit out the Fiesta Bowl to stay healthy for the NFL Combine, and other LSU players could choose to stay home as well.

For UCF, it is something of a double-edged sword. If they lose to LSU, it will be written off as justification that the College Football Playoff selection committee was right in keeping the undefeated Knights at No. 8 in their final rankings. And if Josh Heupel’s team wins, it will be written off as a(nother) anomalous result against a disinterested opponent. UCF needs LSU to show up as full strength and motivated as possible to have any chance to make a statement.