UCF football: 3 takeaways from near-upset vs. Cincinnati in Week 12

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ORLANDO, FL – NOVEMBER 14: Head coach Josh Heupel of the Central Florida Knights looks on before the game against the Temple Owls at Bounce House-FBC Mortgage Field on November 14, 2020 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

2. UCF coaches continue to struggle with adjustments

If Cincinnati had one thing going on offense all night long, it was the flat extended about five yards up field. UCF lost the tight end in this area of the field, early and often.

The only time that the Bearcats didn’t succeed here was when they dropped the ball, as they were never covered. Add in a crossing route, which Desmond Ridder typically hit about three yards downfield, but managed to go for a first down every time, and UCF couldn’t slow down Cincinnati.

Here’s the issue, every fan on their coach knew how limited Cincinnati’s play calling was. They threw the occasional shallow cross, and RPOs where Ridder either gave to the back, kept it, or threw to the flat. UCF couldn’t stop it.

More than UCF couldn’t stop it, they didn’t change what they were doing on defense to try and stop it. It was as if they thought that Cincinnati would eventually get bored of succeeding in the flats. The Bearcats didn’t and it cost UCF a chance at the upset.

This has long been an issue for Josh Heupel and his staff. They come in with a game plan and it either works, or it doesn’t. They don’t adjust on the fly or react as quickly as their opponents. It cost them on Saturday.

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