Boise State Football: 3 reasons Broncos will beat UCF in Week 1

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Khalil Shakur, Boise State Football. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /

3. UCF’s defense

While the Golden Knights have one of the top offenses in the country, their defense leaves a lot to be desired. UCF ranked 121st in passing defense and 123rd in total defense in 2020 and they had to win a lot of shootouts en route to their 6-4 record.

New head coach Gus Malzhan is coming over to UCF with a background in the SEC and he is bringing over some of the coaches that helped Auburn have some top defenses.

New defensive coordinator Travis Williams was the linebackers coach under Malzahn at Auburn and he is noted as one of the top linebacker coaches in the country and an ace recruiter. Williams is going to be tasked with turning around the Golden Knights’ defense.

Boise State has the playmakers to really stress the UCF defense.

Quarterback Hank Bachmeier is one of the best in the country and he has capable playmakers in Khalil Shakur and CT Thomas to threaten the weak passing defense of UCF.

I think this game will be a shootout, but UCF is a big liability on defense.

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