UCF Football: Knights out to prove they’re here to stay in 2019

How will the Knights fare in 2019?

While much has been talked about UCF’s strength of schedule, the Knights do mostly the best they can with what they have to work with. They’re somewhat of a poison pill for perspective Power Five programs: not popular enough for major revenue, but good enough for major upset potential and to warrant a home and home series, something most programs try to avoid with Group of Five teams.

This season, UCF may finally get the game it’s been craving, with Stanford coming to Orlando in Week 3. The Cardinal now come into preseason rankings at No. 23, but have two difficult matchups against Northwestern and USC before their toughest test against the Knights.

Following that is a tough road game against ACC Coastal champions Pitt, who UCF demolished last season at home, winning 45-14. Combine those with tough road games against Cincinnati and Temple, plus D’Eriq King and Houston at home, and UCF’s regular season undefeated streak could be in jeopardy with tricky tests throughout the season.

UCF knows where it stands in the eyes of the college football world, however. Not only do they have to win, they have to continue to win impressively. While the committee might never give them the recognition, this program still aspires to reach a New Year’s Six bowl every year now.

• Week 1: Florida A&M (W) — Tune-up game for the Knights early. Clean bill of health, a sharp Brandon Wimbush and a 40 point victory should be expected.
• Week 2: at FAU (W) — A tricky non-conference road game, UCF should still be an easy double-digit favorite against Lane Kiffin’s squad, but they can’t overlook the Owls.
• Week 3: Stanford (W)— If Stanford is still ranked coming into this one (I don’t think they will be), then you can expect Spectrum Stadium to be insane for this one. As the fans have waited to beat one of the “big boys” at home for a while now. This isn’t the Stanford of old either as they were actually a poor running team last year. While KJ Costello is a great quarterback, that plays into the Knights defenses hands as a very good secondary. Central Florida by 10 in this one.
• Week 4: at Pitt (W) — Pitt was rated as the 61st best team in college football, yet somehow played in a conference championship. They aren’t getting revenge on the Knights with those numbers.
• Week 5: UConn (W) — The less talked about UConn football, the better. Knights take this “rivalry” again.
• Week 6: at Cincinnati (W) — Luke Fickell continues to grow this program. A tough road test sees UCF take another victory against a good Bearcat team.
• Week 7: BYE
• Week 8: East Carolina (W) — Knights respond with a win at home. Cincinnati suffers a loss at Houston to bring back to a tie atop the American.
• Week 9: at Temple (W) — Temple was a good team last year, and torched the Knights on the road. But I’m not convinced Rod Carey is the guy, and I think UCF takes this one.
• Week 10: Houston (W) — The next biggest test, defending D’Eriq King and a talented Houston team. While Holgerson is a good coach, I think there is some rebuilding needed to the roster, and UCF’s talent wins out.
• Week 11: at Tulsa (W) — All eyes on another conference title now and the playoff outlook, after rolling through another opponent.
• Week 12: BYE
• Week 13: at Tulane (W) — Central Florida wins again, careful not to look towards the War on I4.
• Week 14: South Florida (W) — Another I4 victory, this one with less heartache of a McKenzie Milton injury. UCF finishes undefeated yet again.

Prediction: 12-0, 8-0 AAC

Yes, another undefeated season for UCF and it’s without McKenzie Milton. It seems improbable, but this team will be tough to beat no matter who is under center.

Prediction: 12-0; AAC Champions