College Football: 5 most intriguing non-conference games of 2019
By Daniel Smyth
3. Stanford at UCF (Week 3)
Stanford vs. UCF may not be a blue-blood matchup like the aforementioned Notre Dame vs. Michigan, but this game is a real treat to any 21st century college football fan.
UCF has been a powerhouse the past two seasons going a combined 25-1 the last two seasons and winning a National Championship. This game has the potential to be one of the biggest home games in UCF history to date for a rabid fan base that is growing in Florida.
Stanford too has been a consistent powerhouse in the Pac-12. However, they have a brutal non-conference schedule in 2019 featuring Northwestern, UCF and Notre Dame. Still Stanford’s tough non-conference schedule allows them some room for error and gives them a better chance to make the playoff.
This game is enticing because it involves two programs that have an outside chance of making the College Football Playoff. This week three contest will make one of these teams season, while most likely eliminating the other from the playoff.
Unfortunately it appears unlikely that UCF will have the services of star quarterback McKenzie Milton for this game as he is still recovering from a gruesome knee injury suffered against USF. In Milton’s place will most likely be former Notre Dame quarterback Brandon Wimbush.
While at Notre Dame Wimbush started against Stanford in 2017 where they lost 38-20. In the game Wimbush played decent throwing two touchdown passes, but also threw two interceptions.
Revenge could be on his mind in 2019.