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UCF football: 3 bold predictions for Knights vs. USF in Week 13

By Daniel Morrison

TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 23: Jordan Johnson #72 of the UCF Knights waits for a signal from Darriel Mack Jr. #8 during the fourth quarter against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on November 23, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 23: Jordan Johnson #72 of the UCF Knights waits for a signal from Darriel Mack Jr. #8 during the fourth quarter against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on November 23, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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USF and UCF football meet in the 12th ever War on I-4 this Friday. What can we expect, and do the Bulls stand any chance against the Knights?

Central Florida and USF will meet for the 12th edition of the War on I-4 on Friday. While this is a young rivalry, it is an intense one, too. This is largely due to institutional similarities, to go along intense on field results.

In 2016, USF blew out UCF. The next year, UCF won on a kickoff return touchdown with less than two minutes left in what became the best game of the season throughout all of college football.

Then 2018 saw McKenzie Milton horrifically injure his leg in a UCF win while the Knights kept rolling in 2019 with a blowout over the Bulls.

The point is that anything can happen in this game, but here are three things to expect in 2020.

3. Marlon Williams bounces back

Throughout this season, Marlon Williams has been a contender for the Biletnikoff Award. After all, he’s second in the country in receiving yards (942), fifth in receptions per game (nine) and fourth in receiving touchdowns (eight).

Those numbers would be even better if Williams didn’t struggle so much against Cincinnati. In fact, UCF lost that game in large part due to two Williams’ drops. The first came when the Knights were driving, but Williams dropped a pass on fourth down that would have gone for a conversion. Later, when UCF had the lead, he dropped a pass that was intercepted off his hands. Cincinnati scored quickly and didn’t look back.

This week, against UCF’s biggest rival, Williams will have a great game. He’ll be a key part of an attack on a USF defense that doesn’t have anything to play for but pride. Yes, players like KJ Sails make up the heart of the USF team, but they won’t be able to slow down a motivated Williams.

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