UCF Football: 2019 Fiesta Bowl preview, prediction, live stream vs. LSU

UCF football hopes to complete a second consecutive undefeated season. Can the Knights conquer another SEC opponent in a New Year’s Six bowl game?

UCF is back in the New Year’s Six after extending the nation’s longest winning streak to 25 games and counting. The Knights once again missed a chance to play for the College Football Playoff, with the selection committee opting to choose Big 12 champion Oklahoma instead. But, as the top Group of Five team, they still earned a chance to take down an SEC West opponent in another affiliated major bowl game.

Part of the issue, in this case, was the injury to former Heisman dark-horse McKenzie Milton that ended his season and forced the Knights to turn to redshirt freshman sensation Darriel Mack Jr. Though he put up a huge game to win the American Athletic Conference, Mack is still a virtual unknown. What we do know, though, is that UCF has a formidable and deep backfield, an improved defense from last year’s group, and the potential to score points in droves.

LSU, meanwhile, comes into the game as a touchdown favorite despite finishing third in the SEC West. The Tigers are still shooting for a 10-win season as they take on UCF, with their top-25 defense hoping to shut down Mack and the high-powered Knights attack. When they have allowed no more than 21 points, LSU has been undefeated. It is only when the defense breaks down and allows more points that the offense hasn’t been able to keep up.

So will UCF replicate their win in the desert that they pulled off in their first major bowl appearance five years ago? Or can the Tigers end the year on a high note and get to double digits in the win column for the first time since 2013? Here’s how you can watch the Playstation Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Day between undefeated UCF and SEC powerhouse LSU:

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 1
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Glendale, Ariz.
Venue: State Farm Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN | FuboTV

Keys to Victory

UCF needs to win the turnover battle against an LSU squad that ranked fifth nationally in turnover margin. The Knights are equally good at snatching interceptions and recovering fumbles, so it will be incumbent on Mack, Greg McCrae, and the other stars in the backfield to avoid turnovers against a tough Tigers defense. They need to make sure to win the field position battle on special teams as well, as UCF has been prone to give up yardage especially in punt coverage.

To get to 10 wins, LSU needs quarterback Joe Burrow to put together his most efficient game of the season. The quarterback has been a solid caretaker, but unless the Tigers defense completely shuts down a potent Knights offense they will need Burrow to keep up in a shootout. Part of that will involve the offensive line doing a better job of giving Burrow time on passing plays and the group of backs led by Nick Brossette holes to run through.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of oddsshark.com

Point Spread: LSU -7.5
Over/Under: 55.5

Prediction

While Ed Orgeron’s squad comes to Glendale favored by more than a touchdown, UCF is a better squad than the oddsmakers gave credit over the course of the season. Only Clemson performed better against the spread over the course of the campaign, and on New Year’s Day the Knights won’t just beat the spread but will extend their winning streak to 26 games and counting.

Look for Mack to show off and for McCrae and Adrian Killins Jr. to both rush for touchdowns as UCF claims another statement victory in a bowl game over an SEC West opponent.

Final Score: UCF 38, LSU 21