The University of Central Florida is looking for a shot at the “big boys” of College Football.
Players Celebrated the huge War of I-4 victory against rival USF
The American Athletic Conference isn’t getting much love from any of the polls, especially the only one that actually matters. The Playoff committee doesn’t care at all about the AAC and it’s hard not to understand why. Besides the top teams this season that are ranked in the playoff rankings, UCF (15) and Memphis (20) as of last week, the conference sucks. It’s pulled down by teams like UConn, Tulsa, Tulane, and ECU. All programs which have typically been bottom feeders of FBS the past few years. No offense to these teams, but in a non power 5 conference, there has to be more balance between good teams and bad teams.
UCF is unfortunately not going to even sniff the Playoff. They won’t even have the slightest chance to crack even the top 8 this season, and that’s being generous. They’ve only played one Power 5 team in Maryland, whose dealt with injuries at quarterback, but they did win by 28 points. The game against Georgia Tech was canceled because of a Hurricane. With no room on the schedule for another game, it would’ve been nice to have another win over an ACC school. Georgia Tech seems to be having a down year and I’m pretty confident UCF could have put up 38 on that defense.
Despite their cupcake schedule and lack of quality opponents, it’s hard not to see the offense, led by Sophomore quarterback McKenzie Milton, is actually good. Really good. Since I know none of you guys know who this dude is, I’ll save you the trip to Wikipedia. The guy’s a 5’11 177 pound kid from Hawaii. He’s led the offense by tallying 26 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions. While he’s clearly balling out and putting up big numbers, the offensive line is pass protecting just as well as any unit in the Country. They’re averaging 48.2 points per game thanks to Head Coach Scott Frost, who has this offense pumping on all cylinders going into the postseason.
It’s impossible not to mention what might be the greatest story in all of college football: Shaquem Griffin. The senior linebacker is an absolute STUD and was named the AAC Defensive Player of the Year in 2016. While he’s only tacked on 3 sacks this season, he’s still applying pressure and making big plays. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention he’s doing it with one hand. He had his arm amputated at the age of 4 and it hasn’t affected his ability to be an athletic freak. It’s great seeing him play so well., but despite the great story, it shouldn’t overshadow the fact that he’s leading an undefeated team to a New Year’s Six bowl.
This UCF team played and won probably the most exciting football game of the year in a 49-42 shootout against instate rival USF this past weekend. The win sets them up for a big AAC championship game against Memphis. Expect Memphis to be ranked somewhere in the top 20-17 range, while maybe the UCF Knights can sneak into the 12-10 range. Honestly, it’s a little crazy how they haven’t cracked the top 10 yet. Clearly they’re a top team in the country, even if their strength of record doesn’t show it. The Championship game is played in Orlando, so the home field advantage should be heavily for the home-town Knights. Expect the game to be a shootout and UCF to win.
Unfortunately, the Knights will still have no chance of making the playoffs. Not even a slim chance with all the chaos that went on this weekend. In a world with a 4 team playoff, there is no shot that a non power 5 team gets in. Even a two loss Power 5 school probably gets in above UCF. An undefeated Wisconsin can’t get love from the playoff committee, so it’s hard to see an AAC team getting any.
They’ll get their chance against a big school if they beat Memphis this weekend. And maybe a win in a New Years Six Bowl can change some minds. As long as Scott Frost stays around next season and doesn’t head back home to Nebraska, this teams going to make a lot more noise next year.