LSU Tigers (9-3) vs UCF Knights (12-0)
The 2019 Fiesta Bowl will be played on New Year’s Day at 1 PM EST and can be seen on ESPN. UCF will be coming into this game looking to complete their second straight undefeated season. Meanwhile, LSU will look to win their first major bowl game since the 2010 season.
How They Got Here: LSU Tigers
LSU has gone 9-3 in both of Ed Orgeron’s two full seasons. This year the Tigers’ only losses came in a close one against Florida, a 7 OT thriller against TAMU and of course against Alabama. Overall, LSU was still a better team this year compared to last.
As usual, LSU was led by a stellar defense that only allowed 16 points per game(not counting 7 OT shootouts). The Tigers were especially great at stopping the passing game. Safety Grant Delpit led the team with 5 interceptions, 9 pass breakups and was able to add 5 sacks. Corner Greedy Williams was also excellent, breaking 9 passes himself and picking off 2 of them. Linebacker Devin White was one of the best players in the country this year, having 84 tackles, 12 TFL and 3 sacks. Also as usual, LSU’s offense lagged behind it’s awesome defense. The Tiger’s were sometimes able to move the ball, but if they get behind schedule they struggle mightily. One positive about the offense is that they did manage to remain fairly balanced, with neither the run or pass game being much better than the other.
How They Got Here: UCF Knights
Coming off their national championship season last year, UCF was able to complete another undefeated regular season. They were also able win the AAC championship again, this time without star QB Mackenzie Milton. They will be looking for their second straight NY6 bowl win to complete another undefeated season.
The Knights offense was awesome again this season, even with the loss of Scott Frost. They averaged 44 points per game and were both extremely efficient and explosive. Milton was obviously the star again, but Darriel Mack Jr. was able to do enough to keep the streak alive after Milton’s injury. In the run game, Greg McCrae was extremely explosive, averaging 9 yards per carry and going for 1100 yards. The Knights will also rely on Adrian Killins Jr., who had more carries than McCrae, but for only 700 yards. On defense UCF is great at disrupting the opposing offense. Defensive backs Richie Grant and Nevelle Clarke led the team in the secondary, combining for 8 interceptions and 15 pass break ups. Lineman Titus Davis led the team with both 16 TFLs and 6.5 sacks. The defense still struggles at times, especially against the run.
Player to Watch: Darriel Mack Jr. (UCF)
Freshman Darriel Mack Jr. will be the key to game. If Mackenzie Milton was playing, UCF might be able to really score some points against LSU, but they have struggled slightly without him. Mack hasn’t been bad for the Knights, averaging 13 yards per completion and having a 57% completion percentage. He’s also been effective on the ground, averaging 6.8 yards per carry and having 7 TDs. If Mack can find success against a tough LSU defense, UCF should be able to win, but if he struggles significantly…
Betting Lines:
LSU is favored by 7.5 and the over/under is set at 58.
Prediction:
The game really does depend on how Darriel Mack Jr. plays and on motivation. UCF will of course be motivated to prove that they belong with the best teams in the sport, but LSU will be the big question. If LSU underestimates the Knights(like Auburn last year), UCF could take advantage and pull off another upset over a top SEC team.