Ranking college football’s top 5 QB battles headlining 2020 offseason

4. UCF Knights

About 99 percent of the time, the most talked about quarterback battles take place in the Power Five schools. But with the UCF Knights success over the past several seasons, they’ve earned their right to sit at almost every table of discussion throughout the offseason. Before last season, the Knights’ success, specifically on offense, can be credited to McKenzie Milton.

In 26 games from the 2017 and 2018 seasons, Milton threw for over 6,600 yards, 62 touchdowns and just 15 interceptions. Milton also racked up nearly 1,000 yards and added another 17 touchdowns on the ground. All of this took place before a gruesome knee injury nearly ended his career. But several reconstructive surgeries and hours of rehab later, Milton is back to finish what he started at UCF.

In Milton’s absence, Dillon Gabriel, stepped up and filled the QB1 shoes perfectly, tossing 29 touchdowns and over 3,600 yards. Gabriel wasn’t able to keep UCF in playoff talks throughout the season like Milton did, but his freshman year compared to Milton’s was much better and shows the Knights are in good hands.

Do the Knights go with the hot hand? Or does the savy veteran get back under center? Honestly, the answer just depends on the knee of Milton and his mental toughness coming back. Either way, the Knights will once again be one of the top Group of Five teams in 2020.