What a magical season the Central Florida Knights had last year as they went 12-1 overall and ended their season with a 52-42 Fiesta Bowl win over Baylor. This year the Knights have a bit of rebuilding to de, especially on offense, but they will still be a factor in the American Athletic Conference this year. Schedule & Prediction below.
This offense averaged 35 ppg over the last 2 years, but now Blake Bortles is gone and Justin Holman will take over after throwing just 14 passes last year The good news for Holman is that he has their top 3 WR’s back from last year, including Rannell Hall and Breshard Perriman, who combined for 1697 yards and 9 TD’s last year. 1000 yard back Storm Johnson is gone, but Willam Stanback did have 443 yards and 6 TDs last year, so he should do fine, even though he will running behind a mediocre offensive line, that returns just 2 starters. The offense will take a step back this year, but the defense looks to be very stout. Last year this team allowed just 21.3 ppg and they have 9 starters back this year. LB Terrance Plummer (110 tackles, 6 TFL, 2.5 sacks and 6 PBU’s) and Clayton Geathers (4.5 TFL, 10 PBUs and 2 INTs) lead this defense. The DL will be solid, but is a bit thin, while the LB corps is a strength and the secondary is rated 8th best in the nation, according to Phil Steele. The special teams are also a strength with all 4 starters back and being rated as the #11 group in the nation.
The Knights had a great year in 2013, but I expect a slight step back for them. The offense will take a step back, especially with breaking in a new QB, losing a 1000 yard back and having an inexperienced OL. Defense does win championships and the Knights may have the best one in the AAC. Their secondary is one of the best in the nation, while the LB Corp is very stout. If the DL holds up then this team could give up less than the 21.3 ppg they allowed last year. Road games vs Houston and East Carolina will be very challenging, but the rest of the schedule is very manageable and should they win 1 of those two road games then they just might be able to take the AAC. I see them losing both and possibly finishing 3rd in the AAC this year. KEY TREND: The Knights are 12-1 ATS as road dogs of less than 21 if they are off a SU win.
2014 Central Florida Knights Football Schedule
Sat, Aug 30th, 2014 at Penn State
Sat, Sep 13th, 2014 at Missouri
Sat, Sep 20th, 2014 Bethune-Cookman
Thu, Oct 2nd, 2014 at Houston
Thu, Oct 9th, 2014 BYU
Sat, Oct 18th, 2014 Tulane
Sat, Oct 25th, 2014 Temple
Sat, Nov 1st, 2014 at Connecticut
Fri, Nov 14th, 2014 Tulsa
Sat, Nov 22nd, 2014 SMU
Fri, Nov 28th, 2014 at South Florida
Thu, Dec 4th, 2014 at East Carolina
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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