In case you missed it, UCF’s Athletic Director sent a cute letter directed towards the college gameday committee. This came after an IMPRESSIVE win against the almighty East Carolina (103rd Total Defense, 117th Total Offense)
White really had the audacity to bring geography into question? I guess Florida, Florida State, and Miami should take their nine combined titles (in the last 30 years) and move somewhere else.
After receiving multiple DM’s from angry UCF fans after my first piece, the focus has shifted entirely. Its time we allow an undefeated non-P5 conference program to step into the gauntlet. This isn’t just directed at UCF either. As Kirk Herbstreit pointed out on college gameday, there are plenty other programs to be reckoned with.
Out of Conference Scheduling
White went further in saying that he would love for the Knights to #ChargeOn and schedule tougher non-conference opponents. Psssst… Danny… look at USF buddy. Same conference, different OOC scheduling tactics. The administration at the University of South Florida understands what it would take to earn a top four spot in the college football playoffs. That’s why they have scheduled Florida, Florida State, Miami over the last nine years. Their combined record against these three? 2-9.
Even then, USF has announced a three game series against the University of Florida for the 2022, 2023, and 2025 seasons. When White was asked why the Knights haven’t decided to take a similar approach here was his response:
“Our scheduling philosophy is to schedule two non-conference Power 6 opponents each year — home and away,” UCFs White said. “We feel that, for our set of circumstances, is the best way to build our program and season-ticket base — which is critical to sustaining our program long term.”
Ahhh, so it’s about selling tickets then Danny? Not about scheduling tough opponents. I think it’s so damn cute how UCF has coined the term, “Power 6” just so they can continue to schedule abysmal OOC opponents. Blame it on relationships, recruiting strategies, or anything else but the facts are there. Since White wants to bring up history, UCF is winless against in-state power five opponents. Let’s take a quick look at that:
UCF vs. Florida
- 1999: Florida wins 58-27
- 2006: Florida wins 42-0
- Average margin of loss: 36.5 points
UCF vs. Florida State
- 1995: Florida State wins 46-14
UCF vs. Miami
- 2008: Miami wins 20-14
- 2009: Miami wins 27-7
- Average margin of loss: 13 points
I’m well aware that those teams are not the same as this UCF program that we have seen perform on the field. What they have accomplished as an American Conference team is awesome and a twenty-game win streak is really cool. But let’s leave it at that. They’re an American Conference team with a great record against other shitty American Conference teams. The Knights SOS sits at a whopping 123/130. Do you UCF fans understand what that means? There are only SEVEN teams in the entire FBS that have a worse schedule than you currently do this year. Not to mention the Knights haven’t played an opponent ranked above 70th this entire season.
History of Undefeated G5 Teams
Chris Petersen led the 2006 and 2009 Boise State Bronco’s to two beautifully undefeated seasons. Petersen and company were always extremely self aware as to why they weren’t in contention for a BCS National Title appearance:
“To be honest with you,” continues Petersen, “we’ve never wasted much time thinking about the BCS. It’s just a system that helps us focus on winning every game, one game at a time.”
While Petersen wasn’t always pleased with the BCS, here’s what he had to say about the current playoff format:
Again, it’s not something we think about, beyond making a postseason game one of our goals. If anything, we like our role as outsiders. It makes us work that much harder.”
Petersen was always self aware enough to realize the roles of G5 teams with a horrendous out of conference scheduling. Outsiders. He explained his recruiting philosophy and how he hand picks his players that he knows can compete at bigger schools. Fast forward, he took that same philosophy and created a Washington team that earned a rightful spot in the playoffs last season.
In short, other undefeated G5 programs understand why they’re not picked to be in contention for a playoff berth, why can’t UCF?
Alabama vs. UCF: A Game To Silence Everyone
Let’s take a step back and put all of that aside for a second. I genuinely believe it’s time we let UCF make the college football playoff this year. Before you click out of this blog, here’s why:
Surely if UCF earns a top four spot in the playoff, Alabama will select the Cotton Bowl as their site. You know that that means? UCF will face Alabama in Dallas on December 29, 2018. IN JERRY WORLD. 100,000 fans to witness an obliteration for the ages. To those of you who think Alabama will lose a game before the playoffs this year, shut up.
Here’s the quickest stat breakdown of all time:
Offense
Alabama is scoring an average of 54.1 points per game in the SEC, ranked 1st in the country. They’re led by arguably the best coach in CFB history with a Heisman contending quarterback poised to break all kinds of records. They’re also #1 in Total Offense with 564.3 yards per game.
UCF is averaging 9.9 PPG less… against American Athletic Conference opponents.
Defense
Alabama is only allowing opponents to 309.3 yards per game which is currently sitting at #16. UCF? 395.4 yards per game, ranked 73rd in the country… AGAINST AMERICAN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE OPPONENTS.
Conclusion
Last season, Vegas set a hypothetical line against these two teams at: Alabama -21. Can you imagine what it would be this year given what this Alabama team has done? Professional handicappers have stated that they would gladly take 30-35 points in this contest if it were to happen this season. UCF fans would gladly make that trip to Dallas to see their beloved Knights, “GET THEIR SHOT THAT THEY DESERVE!!”
While most undefeated G5 programs take a satirical approach to earning a spot in the playoffs, UCF refuses. It’s time to give them their opportunity to see what it’s like to play in that kind of environment.
So, please, please, CFB Playoff Committee, make this happen.
5 Comments
Jackie, it is always best to do some research in the subject before you write or speak. Why does USF schedule Florid and FSU and UCF dies not? Easy, UCF has an on campus stadium which they own and have a debt service on. USF rents the Buccaneer’s stadium. The Buc’s stadium seats 66,000 people, the average USF game gets around 20,000 to 25,000z. Playing at USF is like a neutral site game where FSU and UF can get 25,000 tickets for their fans and make good money and in most cases, outnumber USF fans. UCF’ stadium seats 46,000 where over 35,000 seats are claimed through season tickets or student tickets. UCF just doesn’t have the ability to give those schools all ththe tickets.
As for head to head, please. The last time UCF played FSU, UCF was 1-AA. UF, well if I’m not mistaken they won the NC that year. If you want to use history, why not talk about how UCF has a winning record against Bama? I like how you use the Begas line from last year. Tell me, what you as the line for the peach bowl?
Very well aware of that. Proves even further how a small program like UCF will not sacrifice revenue to be considered in the college football playoff. If sustaining long term growth is the goal then they’re clearly on the right track.
Also, any good sports gambler knows not to bet on SEC bowl games where the real players either sit out, or do not play up to their level of competiton. The 2006 Broncos were a good example of that. An impressive G5 team that played well in a BCS Bowl game. Did I mention the peach bowl?
When UNC series was scheduled, UNC was coming off a 11-1 regular season and was a touchdown short of winning the ACC and being in the CFP in 2015. When the Pitt series was scheduled they were coming off an 8-4 season in 2016. It’s not UCFs fault that these teams are not good this year. UCF plays Stanford at home next year. They may not be good either. Who knows. They would love a series with a team like Alabama, but Alabama hasn’t played a true road game out of conference in 8 years. It doesn’t fit UCFs scheduling philosophy.
UNC has historically been an abysmal program. The Tarheels were a good program for one year but that is not why UCF targeted them. Another low ball move to disguise horrendous OOC scheduling.