UCF could not keep its nation-leading winning streak alive in the Fiesta Bowl in a shootout against LSU, but the Knights will once again be the team to beat among Group of Five schools seeking the Access Bowl bid into the New Year’s Six. There is plenty of optimism in Orlando as the Knights enter the year looking to start a new string of victories.
The biggest story of the offseason, of course, was the addition of Brandon Wimbush at quarterback. After transferring from Notre Dame, where he was supplanted as the starter by Ian Book, Wimbush is locked in a battle with Darriel Mack Jr. and other youngsters in the battle for the UCF starting job.
On defense, the Knights have their biggest hole in 2019 on the defensive line, where their interior needs to be completely rebuilt. The loss of defensive tackle Trysten Hill is especially painful. But with early games against FCS Florida A&M and at Florida Atlantic, UCF will have time to get the unit up to speed before their biggest tests.
With a home game against Stanford and a trip to face Pitt, the Knights will have two solid opportunities to stack their resume against Power Five competition. Should they run the table, though, it will depend on those teams’ successes the rest of the season as to whether it tips the scales for the College Football Playoff selection committee.