The time for conjecture can be over on Thursday evening as UCF formally will get its maiden foray into the Massive 12 Convention underway with a house opener in opposition to Kent State.
However till then, there’s nonetheless a bit of time. And we have now one final prediction to make.
Every week after weighing in on Massive 12 issues, UCF beat author Chris Boyle and sports activities editor Ryan Pritt return to the crystal ball another time to take a shot on the Knights’ game-by-game outcomes and closing season file. UCF will play a trio of nonconference tilts beginning with the Golden Flashes and adopted by a visit to Boise State and a house date with Villanova earlier than opening play in its new league at defending Massive 12 champion Kansas State.
UCF QUARTERBACKS:John Rhys Plumlee will begin at QB for UCF soccer, however who’s ready within the wings?
So, how do the Knights navigate their first season as a member of school soccer’s Energy 5?
Chris and Ryan take their photographs on the reply beneath:
Kent State at UCF, Aug. 31
UCF OPPONENT PREVIEWS:Kent State undergoes roster overhaul underneath new coach Kenni Burns
RYAN: UCF opens its inaugural Massive 12 season in opposition to a staff picked to complete final within the East Division of the MAC. The newest line is 36.5. That ain’t excessive sufficient … UCF 51, KENT STATE 9
CHRIS: The final time these two groups confronted each other, they had been convention rivals. That was virtually twenty years in the past. UCF ought to benefit from the house crowd, and an opponent just about rebuilding from the bottom up. … UCF 48, KENT STATE 10
UCF at Boise State, Sept. 9
UCF OPPONENT PREVIEWS:Boise State seeks Mountain West redemption behind QB Taylen Inexperienced
- Sequence file: UCF leads 1-0.
RYAN: It takes some time to get used to crossing two time zones and enjoying in opposition to a very good staff in a hostile surroundings. That is good apply for the Knights, however Boise is nice. Like, New-12 months’s-Six-Bowl-Sport good. Keep in mind the identify Taylen Inexperienced … BOISE STATE 34, UCF 28
CHRIS: That is the lone potential, non-conference banana peel. Boise State has notched 25 straight successful seasons, is 128-14 on the famed “smurf turf” of Albertson’s Stadium this century and out for revenge after surrendering a three-touchdown lead in Orlando two Septembers in the past. Anticipate this one to go all the way down to the wire. … UCF 31, BOISE STATE 27
Villanova at UCF, Sept. 16
UCF OPPONENT PREVIEWS:Knights to face skilled, upset-minded Villanova in Week 3
- Sequence file: First assembly
RYAN: This was already going to be a mismatch. Now, the Wildcats need to take care of a mad bunch of Knights … UCF 49, VILLANOVA 13
CHRIS: Villanova, underneath the management of longtime-assistant-turned-head-coach Mark Ferrante, is a constant FCS winner. The Wildcats, nonetheless, is not going to be outfitted to decelerate UCF’s pace and athletic benefits. … UCF 45, VILLANOVA 14
UCF at Kansas State, Sept. 23
UCF OPPONENT PREVIEWS:Defending league champ Kansas State to welcome Knights to Massive 12
- Sequence file: Kansas State leads 1-0.
RYAN: UCF was 78th nationally in opposition to the run final 12 months and Kansas State ought to have one of the best run recreation within the Massive 12. The Knights can be higher, however not ok in a bitter convention opener … KANSAS STATE 34, UCF 21
CHRIS: It is a powerful draw for the Knights’ Massive 12 debut — on the highway in opposition to the league’s defending champion. Treshaun Ward is a more-than-adequate working again substitute for Deuce Vaughn, and the Wildcats return all 5 starters alongside the offensive line. … KANSAS STATE 30, UCF 16
Baylor at UCF, Sept. 30
UCF OPPONENT PREVIEWS:Baylor goals for bounce-back, faces Knights in Massive 12 residence opener
- Sequence file: UCF leads 1-0.
RYAN: Baylor coach Dave Aranda is without doubt one of the greatest defensive minds in all of school soccer and an improved offensive line, bolstered by the portal, will make the Bears a heck of a grind to play in opposition to. UCF should earn it, and it’ll, however barely … UCF 21, BAYLOR 20
CHRIS: UCF introduced a Bounce Home sellout for its Massive 12 residence opener in the summertime; the ambiance must be magnificent, and sufficient to carry the Knights to a win over a top quality Baylor staff. Forcing both Blake Shapen or Sawyer Robertson into errors could possibly be the distinction … UCF 27, BAYLOR 23
UCF at Kansas, Oct. 7
UCF OPPONENT PREVIEWS:Jalon Daniels, high-powered, veteran-laden Kansas offense can be powerful for UCF to corral
- Sequence file: First assembly.
RYAN: What’s this? The Jayhawks, with expectations?! I like Jalon Daniels. I actually like Lance Leipold. However I’m going to want to see the Jayhawks do it, after they’re alleged to, earlier than I imagine it … UCF 37, KANSAS 34
CHRIS: Take into account me a believer. Kansas returns 91% of its offensive productiveness from final season, spearheaded by Preseason Offensive Participant of the 12 months Daniels. This might look silly in just a few months — the Jayhawks might simply as simply return to Massive 12 doormat standing — however I am forecasting one other disappointing journey to the Sunflower State. … KANSAS 33, UCF 24
UCF at Oklahoma, Oct. 21
UCF OPPONENT PREVIEWS:Knights get one crack at Oklahoma, Dillon Gabriel in Massive 12 play
- Sequence file: First assembly.
RYAN: The Knights must be a lot motivated, what with former quarterback Dillon Gabriel now calling the indicators for the Sooners. However it is a huge 12 months for Oklahoma, which is able to head to the SEC in 2024. It is a recreation the Sooners can’t afford to lose at residence, they usually received’t … OKLAHOMA 40, UCF 26
CHRIS: UCF will be motivated to indicate Dillon Gabriel that the pastures of Norman weren’t greener and spoil the Sooners’ homecoming plans for good measure. However, OU needs to be higher this 12 months, proper? Particularly on protection. In any other case, Brent Venables will not be lengthy for the SEC-bound blue blood. … OKLAHOMA 41, UCF 31
West Virginia at UCF, Oct. 28
UCF OPPONENT PREVIEWS:Neal Brown on scorching seat at West Virginia forward of UCF homecoming matchup
- Sequence file: West Virginia leads 2-0.
RYAN: The ol’ lure recreation, proper between a tough one in opposition to the Sooners and a visit to a sworn rival. Looks as if the right spot for my alma mater, which I promise you, will not end lifeless final on this league opposite to in style beliefs … WEST VIRGINIA 27, UCF 23
CHRIS: At the very least you included the necessary homer disclaimer; I commend you for that. We agree West Virginia is not going to end final, however this could possibly be a protracted day on the workplace for Neal Brown — or whoever is carrying the headset for the Mountaineers by the top of October. … UCF 38, WEST VIRGINIA 23
UCF at Cincinnati, Nov. 4
UCF OPPONENT PREVIEWS:Scott Satterfield, Emory Jones usher in new period at Cincinnati
- Sequence file: Sequence tied 4-4.
RYAN: How will these two former AAC combatants make it to the again quarter of their respective schedules? It’ll go a great distance towards figuring out this one. However I imagine the Knights are positioned greatest among the many 4 new members they usually start to show it proper right here … UCF 30, CINCINNATI 17
CHRIS: Nippert Stadium has been a home of horrors for UCF, pondering again to the 52-7 drubbing in a winless 2015 marketing campaign and the 56-21 blowout in favor of the Playoff-bound Bearcats in ’21. Moreover, Scott Satterfield has outwitted Gus Malzahn the final two years as Louisville’s head coach. However the Knights discover a approach to buck each tendencies. … UCF 33, CINCINNATI 30
Oklahoma State at UCF, Nov. 11
UCF OPPONENT PREVIEWS:Oklahoma State will attempt to halt Knights’ House Sport win streak
- Sequence file: First assembly.
RYAN: Somewhat much-needed momentum carries the Knights into a tricky one at residence. I simply belief Mike Gundy and that observe file a bit of greater than most, it appears … OKLAHOMA ST. 24, UCF 17
CHRIS: You overlook one factor; the Knights may have the evening off. UCF has scheduled its House Sport for its first encounter with Oklahoma State, and the Citronauts are 6-0 all-time. … UCF 34, OKLAHOMA STATE 28
UCF at Texas Tech, Nov. 18
UCF OPPONENT PREVIEWS:Ascending Texas Tech units sights on elusive Massive 12 soccer crown
- Sequence file: First assembly.
RYAN: The Pink Raiders are a stylish choose within the Massive 12 and for good purpose. There’s no harder place to play within the league than in Lubbock the place the wind blows exhausting and the factors pile up in a rush … TEXAS TECH 45, UCF 35
CHRIS: I am driving the Texas Tech bandwagon, and totally ready to go down with the ship if it goes sideways. It is a good soccer staff swelling with confidence after an historic sweep of Texas and Oklahoma, and a bowl-game rout of Ole Miss. To your level on Lubbock, the Pink Raiders went 7-1 on their residence discipline final season. … TEXAS TECH 44, UCF 24
Houston at UCF, Nov. 25
UCF OPPONENT PREVIEW:Acquainted foe Houston closes out inaugural Massive 12 soccer marketing campaign
- Sequence file: UCF leads 7-3.
RYAN: With 10 previous conferences, that is the commonest opponent on UCF’s whole schedule. That familiarity will create a wild one, however the Knights earn bowl eligibility within the finale … UCF 38, HOUSTON 30
CHRIS: It would really feel unusual this Thanksgiving weekend with the Knights getting ready for somebody apart from South Florida. Houston is, certainly, a well-known foe and compelled to interchange the elite passing tandem of Clayton Tune and Daytona Seashore’s personal Tank Dell. UCF ends the common season on a excessive be aware. … UCF 35, HOUSTON 24
FINAL RECORD
RYAN: 6-6 total, 4-5 Massive 12 Convention.
CHRIS: 8-4 total, 5-4 Massive 12 Convention.