The Knights running game is relentless LSU -7.0 vs Central Florida – Fiesta Bowl – Can they do it again? Can UCF go undefeated a second year in a row by beating an SEC team? If the Knights win you won’t hear the end of back to back national championships and the AAC claim to be a “Power 6” conference will go into overdrive.
For LSU, it’s about making sure the SEC doesn’t fall for a second year in a row.
The question for UCF is how will they fare without star QB Mackenzie Milton under center. Backup QB Darriel Mack Jr. played well in the win over Memphis in the American Conference title game. He threw for 348 yards in that win and he rushed for 120 yards in the season finale against East Carolina.
Central Florida will be looking to run the ball - a lot - as they are 5th in the country, averaging 276.5 yards per game. The have a deep backfield boasting five healthy players with at least four touchdowns and 250 yards on the ground.
The rushing offense is relentless. It knows how to rip up the big yards in chunks with almost 300 yards or more in five of the last six games of the regular season cranking up two or more rushing touchdowns in every game, (it ran for six in the AAC Championship win over Memphis) and it’s able to keep the production coming in waves from the deep backfield.
They never let up. If there’s a rough drive, or a clunker of a quarter, or even a bad half, this team can still put up points and yards in bunches thanks to the speed that HC Josh Heupel runs this attack. If this gets into any sort of a track meet, the Knights have the system to score quicker.
For LSU, it’s about making sure the SEC doesn’t fall for a second year in a row.
The question for UCF is how will they fare without star QB Mackenzie Milton under center. Backup QB Darriel Mack Jr. played well in the win over Memphis in the American Conference title game. He threw for 348 yards in that win and he rushed for 120 yards in the season finale against East Carolina.
Central Florida will be looking to run the ball - a lot - as they are 5th in the country, averaging 276.5 yards per game. The have a deep backfield boasting five healthy players with at least four touchdowns and 250 yards on the ground.
The rushing offense is relentless. It knows how to rip up the big yards in chunks with almost 300 yards or more in five of the last six games of the regular season cranking up two or more rushing touchdowns in every game, (it ran for six in the AAC Championship win over Memphis) and it’s able to keep the production coming in waves from the deep backfield.
They never let up. If there’s a rough drive, or a clunker of a quarter, or even a bad half, this team can still put up points and yards in bunches thanks to the speed that HC Josh Heupel runs this attack. If this gets into any sort of a track meet, the Knights have the system to score quicker.
But they haven't faced anything like LSU's defense all year But the Knights haven’t faced anything like LSU’s defense this year. The Tigers, who will play in the 50th bowl game in their history, have limited opponents to 139.3 yards per contest on the ground. And LSU won’t make the mistake of underestimating UCF after watching Auburn fall last year. Auburn was missing all motivation after losing in the SEC championship game to go to the playoffs. That won’t be the case for LSU.
If UCF is forced to go to the air more often, LSU is tied for 12th in the nation with 16 interceptions - five by sophomore defensive back Grant Delpit - although star corner Greedy Williams (two interceptions, nine pass breakups) will sit out the game to prepare for the NFL draft.
UCF’s season finale against Memphis was proof of many of the defensive issues for the Knights, particularly when it comes to stopping the run. The Knights are currently ranked 91st in the country in total yards allowed on defense and 116th against the run.
This LSU run-first offense is tailor-made for UCF’s defense. Tiger’s running back Nick Brossette ran for 922 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.
LSU doesn’t screw up either. UCF lives on turnover margin going +14 on the year. But that’s not going to matter against the Tiger team that’s a +12 on the year, didn’t give up a pick in nine of the 13 games, and has only lost the mistake battle three times.
The trends favor the Knights. LSU is 2-5 as the favorite this season, and 2-5 vs. spread last seven bowls. UCF 4-2 ATS last six bowls, 10–3 vs. line since late last season, 5-1 last six vs. points away from home.
I’m going to take LSU to finally put an end to UCF’s streak. It’s easy to forget how badly the Tigers stomped Georgia at home back in October. They obviously dropped an embarrassing shutout loss to Alabama, but the losses to Florida and Texas A&M were winnable games they simply failed to pull out in the end. If they won those games, there’s a good chance we’d be talking about two SEC teams in the playoffs for a second consecutive year.
Put me down for a quatloo.
If UCF is forced to go to the air more often, LSU is tied for 12th in the nation with 16 interceptions - five by sophomore defensive back Grant Delpit - although star corner Greedy Williams (two interceptions, nine pass breakups) will sit out the game to prepare for the NFL draft.
UCF’s season finale against Memphis was proof of many of the defensive issues for the Knights, particularly when it comes to stopping the run. The Knights are currently ranked 91st in the country in total yards allowed on defense and 116th against the run.
This LSU run-first offense is tailor-made for UCF’s defense. Tiger’s running back Nick Brossette ran for 922 yards and 14 touchdowns this season.
LSU doesn’t screw up either. UCF lives on turnover margin going +14 on the year. But that’s not going to matter against the Tiger team that’s a +12 on the year, didn’t give up a pick in nine of the 13 games, and has only lost the mistake battle three times.
The trends favor the Knights. LSU is 2-5 as the favorite this season, and 2-5 vs. spread last seven bowls. UCF 4-2 ATS last six bowls, 10–3 vs. line since late last season, 5-1 last six vs. points away from home.
I’m going to take LSU to finally put an end to UCF’s streak. It’s easy to forget how badly the Tigers stomped Georgia at home back in October. They obviously dropped an embarrassing shutout loss to Alabama, but the losses to Florida and Texas A&M were winnable games they simply failed to pull out in the end. If they won those games, there’s a good chance we’d be talking about two SEC teams in the playoffs for a second consecutive year.
Put me down for a quatloo.
