I’ve become a believer. What the Knights have done over the last two years is nothing short of incredible. 25(!!!) games in a row that result in UCF having more points than the other team has been remarkable and deserves more credit from the national media. I know the excuses, I’ve been one to use them as well. “They haven’t played anyone” and “they gave up 670 yards to Temple, their defense is trash” are the two I have not only used the most myself, but have heard from many others as well. However, if you dig deeper into what this program has done and also compare it to other top programs in the country, then you will see they are a top team in the country and deserve a spot in the playoff.
The Schedule
Strength of schedule is the number one reason why the masses don’t believe in the Knights. However, the schedule is astonishingly similar to #2 Clemson’s schedule. In fact, there is not a single game on the Tigers’ schedule that one could point to as a legitimate loss for UCF. The toughest games for Clemson this season were Texas A&M, Syracuse, and Boston College, all of which the Knights would be favored to win if they were set to play. Moreover, the ACC championship game will feature the Tigers playing #24 Pitt, a team UCF demolished in September, 45-14. Furthermore, the Knights did what everyone asked them to do against a ranked (9-1) Cincinnati team a couple weeks ago. They were given the national spotlight with the prime-time 8:00 kickoff on ABC with ESPN’s College GameDay in attendance. This was their “prove it” game, and that was exactly what they did. UCF won this game 38-13 and proved all they do is win, which is what is lost in all of this. 25-0 over almost two complete seasons is hard to do, no matter who you’re playing. It’s incredibly unfair to this program to knock them for having such a soft schedule, when the #2 team in America’s schedule is not much better, if at all.
The Talent
UCF’s offense is top 5 in the country with a healthy McKenzie Milton at QB. There can’t be any denying that. During this 25 game win streak, the Knights have scored 30+ every time, and Milton has thrown a touchdown pass in every single one. Obviously, the injury to Milton complicates things, but UCF showed against USF that they can rely on the run game as well. Running backs Adrian Killins and Greg McRae combined for 246 yards and 3 TDs against the Bulls and showed that this team is capable of moving the ball and scoring multiple ways. Both of those guys will be on NFL rosters when they leave Orlando. Moreover, there is a ton of speed on the outside as well. If Darriel Mack Jr. can play mistake free football and help convert on 3rd downs, the Knights will not miss a beat on offense. Defensively, UCF is better than that 670 yard performance against Temple a few weeks ago. This kind of game happens, even to the top tier teams in the country. UCF is going to get everyone’s best shot now, because they are the hunted. Everyone wants to be the team to end the streak. Add that to the idea that the Knights were not as driven to play this game because it’s not a significantly meaningful game. How hyped would Alabama or Clemson or Notre Dame be to play Temple on a Thursday night? Obviously they still took care of business winning the game 52-40, which is all that matters. Moreover, the defense has tightened things up over the following weeks.
The Swagger
The biggest difference in UCF from other up and coming schools is that they really don’t care what you think about them. This all starts with the AD, Danny White. As laughable as it is to declare yourself as a National Champion, he did it anyways. He didn’t care about what ESPN’s Around the Horn or Pardon the Interruption would say about it and that swagger trickled down to the team and the students. The players play with a major chip on their shoulder every week. They find ways to stay inspired, and the McKenzie Milton injury will not be handled any differently. The program rallies together and continues to fight and ultimately not give a damn what us Gator and Seminole fans, or any fans in the entire country, think. It may be crazy and sometimes very funny, but it’s incredibly respectable and they deserve a ton more credit than what they’ve been given.
