UCF football: 3 takeaways from lopsided win over Kent State

Year three of the Gus Malzahn tenure in Orlando, and the beginning of UCF football’s Big 12 membership, is off to a strong start. UCF couldn’t have asked for a smoother start to the 2023 season, breezing to a lopsided blowout victory over Kent State at the Bounce House on Thursday night.

The Knights entered the contest as 35.5-point favorites, so the result isn’t surprising, but it was a satisfying night for John Rhys Plumlee and Co. regardless. Malzahn teams have, at times, played down to lesser competition, so Thursday’s blowout was an encouraging sight.

As a Power Five (Power Four now?) program, the Knights now have a higher standard to hold, and they did so to open the 2023 campaign. They won’t be able to play with the inconsistencies of recent seasons if they are going to contend week-to-week in the Big 12 against the likes of Baylor, TCU, and Oklahoma State.

With Texas and Oklahoma departing the conference, there is an opening at the top of the Big 12, and the next few seasons will play a massive role in establishing the new hierarchy in the league.

UCF football has a chance to make a huge leap in prestige, and their power conference journey started off as strong as possible with their victory on Thursday night.

As they prepare for a big Week 2 matchup with Boise State, these are the biggest takeaways for the Knights’ opening-week win.