Neither the UCF Knights (0-3) or the South Carolina Gamecocks
(1-2) are happy with how the season has gone so far. The Knights have
suffered a string of disasters amid losses to FIU, Stanford, and FCS
Furman. The Gamecocks beat UNC in week one, but have suffered
back-to-back SEC losses to Kentucky (which, in fairness, is a quite good
Kentucky team) and Georgia.
Someone is going to get a measure of relief from their no-good-very-bad season thus far.
It's probably
not going to be UCF, sadly. But if the Knights can pull off the win, it
would be a rare bright spot in what is shaping up to be a dismal season.
Start time: Saturday, September 26, 2015 at Noon.
Location: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC
TV: ESPNU
Radio: 740-AM Orlando
Betting Line: South Carolina is a 14.5 point favorite at this point which, let's be honest, is charitable for the Knights
Series:
South Carolina is 4-0. The teams last played in 2013 when South Carolina
escaped with a three point win in Orlando in a season that was
otherwise perfect for the Knights.
The Opponent: As
unhappy as Gamecocks fans are, at a 1-2 record, they are at least in
better shape than the Knights. Last week, the Steve Spurrier-led
Gamecocks got pounded by Georgia 52-20. There's an extra sting given how
Spurrier teams have historically owned the Dawgs. Before that, Kentucky
snapped its SEC road losing streak by beating the Gamecocks 26-22 in
Columbia.
This feels
like a "something's got to give game" in some ways. South Carolina is
ranked 108 of 127 in total defense and the Knights are dead last in
terms of total offense. The Gamecocks have not really been able to get
consistent stops and bad as the Knights are, that means there may be
some opportunity to take advantage.
Like the Knights, South Carolina's quarterback situation is in flux. Connor Mitch was injured and will miss a good chunk of the season. Perry Orth
started in his place in a loss against Georgia. And now true Freshman
Lorenzo Nunez will start against UCF. Nunez has looked pretty decent in
his limited playing time, especially making plays with his feet. But
Steve Spurrier says that Orth will still play, and Michael Scarnecchia may also.
So there's a realistic chance that between the two teams, we may see as many as six players taking snaps. Weird.
UCF Outlook: If
you have followed the Knights at all this year, you know this team is
just not very good. It's even worse with the recent rash of injuries
causing key players to miss significant time. Especially brutal are the
injuries to Justin Holman (who, thankfully, ought to be back before too long) and Jordan Akins who had emerged as the Knights top receiver before tearing his ACL. But there's also the injury to Dontravious Wilson which has pushed true Freshman Taj McGowan into starting at running back, the injury to Joey Grant (which ends the senior's career), plus the injuries during spring . . . .
Oh, and of course Will Stanback was kicked off the team,
reportedly for failing multiple drug tests. Not that he had contributed
much this year, but it really does put UCF in a bad position when your
two healthy scholarship players at RB are both freshman.
If nothing else, Knights fans will get to watch many extremely young players in starting roles,
and hope that they make the most of their early playing opportunities
and mature fast. One question going forward will be which young
quarterback gives the Knights the best chance: true Freshman Bo
Schneider (14/30 for 109 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs on the season) or redshirt
freshman Tyler Harris
(14/32 for 131 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs). Schneider will start, but I
wouldn't be surprised to see Harris again if Schneider continues to
struggle. And we may see lots of wildcat with former back-up QB who was
converted to WR Nick Patti.[1]
The situation on defense is a bit better, and it's been a pleasure to watch Chequan Burkett emerge (he of the forced fumble against FIU and safety against Furman fame). But the young offense will have to get something together for the Knights to have any chance against the Gamecocks. Sadly, it feels like a longshot.
For more on UCF-SCAR, check out our Question and Answer session with South Carolina blog Garnet and Black Attack.
[1]
While many blamed the wildcat plays for interrupting Schneider's
rhythm, I'm not convinced he would have been less discombobulated if
there were no wildcat.
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