UCF Knights vs. Furman Paladins: Preview, TV, Radio, Start Time

http://www.underdogdynasty.com/american-athletic-conference/2015/9/18/9349671/ucf-knights-vs-furman-paladins-preview-tv-radio-start-time

The Knights have suffered through a brutal beginning of the season and are 0-2 following a catastrophic (though narrow) loss to FIU and a drubbing by Stanford that felt like a slow and complete suffocation. The game against Furman is the only ‘gimme' game left on the schedule and the Knights need to take advantage. Since moving up to Division I in 1996, UCF is a perfect 20-0 against Division II/FCS schools (outscoring opponents 792-231 in those games).

Dropping a game to a 0-2 Furman squad on Saturday would be a really bad way to mess up that perfect 20-0.

Start time: 6 PM EST

Location: Bright House Networks Stadium, Orlando, FL

TV: EPSN3

Radio: WYGM 740-AM (Orlando), Sirius 119, XM 205

The Series: 1-0, Furman! Which seems shocking, but makes more sense when you consider these teams last met in 1984 when UCF was a Div II school. Back in '84, Furman jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and buried UCF 42-6. The Knights doomed themselves in large part, throwing five interceptions.

But that won't happen his time.

Probably.

The Opponent: Furman is also winless this year, but has played some decent competition. The Paladins lost by three against FCS No. 5 Coastal Carolina. And last week, they played Virginia Tech - the Hokies started a bit slow, but ultimately cruised to a 42-3 win over Furman.

Furman's offense has a pulse, as demonstrated by its average of 389.5 yards per game. Freshman RB Tristan Luke is averaging 7.2 yards per run (although on a small sample size of 14 rushes) and FB Ernie Cain averages 5.9 yards per carry and has three rushing touchdowns. But the Furman offense is not taking care of the care of the football and is minus 5 in turnover margin (the Paladins have yet to take force a turnover).

The Paladins are also giving up a lot of yards - 535.5 per game.

UCF Outlook: Depleted as the Knights are, this ought to be a win. And the game comes at a great time. The Knights are wracked with injuries, playing true freshman at key positions, and need an opportunity to gel before the matchup against South Carolina and the beginning of the conference slate.

Junior QB Justin Holman, the key player on this team, injured his throwing hand on the first drive of the game against Stanford and will be out two to four weeks. He was replaced by true Freshman Bo Schneider (who looked bad and threw an ugly pick). Schneider in turn was replaced by redshirt Freshman Tyler Harris late in the game. Harris was responsible for the Knights only touchdown of the day on a hook-up with redshirt Freshman WR Tre'Quan Smith. Nonetheless, O'Leary has tabbed Schneider as the starter against Furman.

Yes, you can begin to worry whether Schneider-Harris is the new DiNovo-Holman.

Meanwhile, freshman Taj McGowan will again start at running back in place of Dontravious Wilson who has been injured. Will Stanback will likely remain lower on the depth chart following his drive-ruining fumble last week and anemic running thus far.

The offensive line, which many thought would be a strength this season, continues to be in disarray. And sadly, injuries have ended the football career of senior (and starting) center Joey Grant.

Things have looked less dire for the Knights on defense. They held tight for much of the game against Stanford before giving up some huge plays to Stanford last week.

The young pieces of this UCF team need this opportunity to get back on the right track. It's not just about getting a much-needed win here, but eliminating mistakes and ensuring that this is a "learning" season and not a "lost" season.

Knights DOwned by Stanford 31-7

http://www.underdogdynasty.com/american-athletic-conference/2015/9/13/9318515/ucf-downed-by-stanford-31-7

UCF Knights vs. Stanford Cardinal: Preview, TV, Start Time, Betting Line

http://www.underdogdynasty.com/2015/9/11/9272613/ucf-knights-vs-stanford-cardinal-preview-tv-start-time-betting-line

After dismal openers, both the UCF Knights and the Stanford Cardinal are eager to move on and try to get their respective seasons back on the right track. Last week, the Knights dropped the home opener in embarrassing fashion to FIU while Stanford got beaten up by underdog Northwestern.

Both teams are suffering from some of the same flaws - an inability to win the battle in the trenches and overly conservative play calling that drove their respective fan bases crazy.

There's a lot riding on this game from a psychological and fan perspective. If the Knights win, there's the excitement of beating a Power Five team (for all his achievements, something George O'Leary has failed to do consistently). And if the Knights lose, they will likely find themselves 1-3 at the start of conference play.

So uh, no pressure guys.

Start time: A late game for most Knights fans, things get underway at 10:30 p.m. ET /7:30 p.m. PT.

Location: Stanford Stadium - Stanford, California.

TV: Fox Sports 1.

Radio: 740-AM - Orlando.

Betting Line: UCF is a +17.5 underdog, the largest margin during the regular season since the Knights played Ohio State in 2012 (+18).

The Series: . . . it starts on Saturday with the first meeting between these two teams. UCF has never played a California school. Likewise, Stanford has never played a team from Florida (and the Cardinal have been around since 1891).

The Opponent: Stanford lost to Northwestern 16-6 in a game where the Cardinal fizzled out after a first promising drive. Much like UCF, a theme for Stanford last week was missed opportunities. They converted only 3 of 15 third downs, and their three trips to the red zone resulted in only two field goals. That third down conversion rate is a big problem for an offense built to batter and wear down opposing defenses.

Inconsistency plagued Stanford last week. Players dropped passes (two of which could have well been touchdowns). And guys on defense dropped interceptions. The Cardinal gave away the ball twice, including senior QB Kevin Hogan's interception in the end zone with about a minute left to seal the game.

Hogan did not impress, ending up 20-of-35 with 155 yards. His accuracy was questionable and failed to make some pre-snap reads. He was also sacked three times. And like UCF last week (though not quite as bad), Stanford's running game was an anemic 3.1 yards per carry (one of running back Christian McCaffrey's carries went for 27 yards and is the outlier here).

Stanford also seemed hampered by conservative play calling by head coach David Shaw. There were a lot of lackluster choices made, including consistently running the ball on third and long.

UCF Outlook: Right now, UCF feels like a team capable of losing to anyone. But Stanford, at least, looks vulnerable.

Against the expectations of many, the Knights' poor performance on the offensive line carried over from last year into the season. Though perhaps improved in pass protection, the line did not do a dang thing to open holes for the running game. The Knights had just 46 rushing yards on 30 attempts for an average of 1.5 yards per carry.

At least based on the loss to FIU, I seem to be wrong again on predicting Will Stanback to have a breakout year. Dontravious Wilson got the start at running back instead. And while Wilson's yards per carry were a cringe worthy 2.8, Stanback turned in an abysmal 0.6 (including losses on the last drive of the game which did ultimately blocked field goal attempt no favors).

The defense last week also disappointed. Poor tackling was epidemic. The defense line was not disruptive and FIU often got into the second level. A lot of plays had to be made by the Knights secondary, and so Shaquill Griffin ended up tied for a team-leading nine tackles (Drico Johnson was close behind with eight).

But there's some hope for UCF to beat Stanford. The emergence of Jordan Akins and Tre'Quan Smith was a revelation and demonstrates that UCF has at least two high quality wide receivers (between the two of them, they had almost all of UCF's receptions, so it's unclear who else will step up). And Holman looks improved and played largely mistake free. In other good news, the Knights were fairly disciplined with only three penalties (granted, that last false start was brutally costly).

Of course Knights fans will continue to criticize the play calling from last week, especially the devotion to an ineffective running game and the choice to play for a field goal at the end. Running the ball there resulted in lost yards, then a false start penalty, then a 47 yard attempt by Matthew Wright which was blocked (his first college attempt!). Still, many of the Knights' problems can be fixed - we're left to hope that they can be improved enough for what will be a tough game on Saturday.

For more pre-game coverage of the UCF-Stanford game, check out our "Five Questions" with Stanford blog Rule of Tree and their reciprocal piece over here.

Stanford Football 2015: Gameday Q&A with Underdog

http://www.ruleoftree.com/2015/9/8/9273865/stanford-football-2015-gameday-q-and-a-with-underdog-dynasty

Five questions about the UCF-Stanford Game with Rule of Tree

http://www.underdogdynasty.com/2015/9/10/9272365/five-questions-for-the-ucf-stanford-game-with-rule-of-tree

Both UCF and Stanford are looking for redemption this week in the first ever meeting between the two teams on Saturday. In fact, neither team has ever played an opponent from the other's state. It's safe to say that there's not a lot of familiarity between these fan bases.

The upshot is that as part of the SB Nation network, we've got access to experts who cover just about every FBS college football team out there. We got together with Tony Fernandes at Rule of Tree who answered some of our questions about Stanford. You can follow Tony on Twitter at @ToneFernSports.

1.  Like the Knights, Stanford had a disappointing first game. Despite the loss, were there any positives from your perspective?

In any game, there are always positives, even in such a disappointing finish for the Cardinal.  The play of the front seven defenders was very impressive.  Sophomore Harrison Phillips was dominant before going out to a lower leg injury and Senior Azziz Shittu came back from injury and played very well.  Also, graduate transfer Brennan Scarlett controlled the line of scrimmage and made a few big plays in his first game with the Cardinal.

2. It struck me that the play calling in the Northwestern game was too conservative. Am I being fair? And is this consistent with typical Stanford play-calling?

You are being completely fair.  Everyone always asks if the play calling is too conservative.  I will say this; Coach David Shaw knows when his team is on, and when they may need to be held in check.  Coach Shaw was very adamant in post-game stressing the fact that the play calling was his choice, and that this team is a work in progress.  He is trying to figure out what pieces go where, and how they will be successful.  Personally, I believe he saw something in the team that made him apprehensive, and wanted to limit mistakes as he may not have full trust in everyone's ability as of yet.

3. The Stanford secondary was not tested much last week. How do you expect they'll perform against the Knights' passing attack?

Stanford is very young in the defensive secondary.  They lost starters to the NFL, to other universities, and to Major League Baseball.  The Cardinal are starting a converted wide receiver and quarterback at the safety positions.  The defensive secondary did look a step short against Northwestern as theirfFreshman QB was able to make a few big passes that cost the Cardinal opportunity to get the ball back in prime area.  The Knights will test the secondary for sure, but the most important part for Stanford is to get pressure on the QB to help the secondary out.

4. The Stanford running game seemed lackluster against Northwestern. Do you expect it to improve versus UCF?

I do expect it to improve.  Northwestern was absolutely flying around the ball, and keyed on Sophomore Christian McCaffrey on every play.  I see more running plays off tackle; trying to get McCaffrey out in space.  He is not a bruising style runner that Stanford has had in years past, he is an elusive runner out on the edges.

5. Let me ask you to be contrary to your rooting interests for the moment: give me your best argument why UCF can beat Stanford.

Just like the adage goes; anyone can be beaten, no one is infallible.  I think that if UCF can stop the run game, and the offense keeps the Cardinal defensive secondary on its heels, the Knights will have a chance at winning on Saturday.  UCF is well coached and has talent on both sides of the ball.  It should be a great game on Saturday on the Farm.

UCF Knights Fall to FIU Panthers at Home, 15-14: Game Recap

http://www.underdogdynasty.com/american-athletic-conference/2015/9/3/9259423/nightmare-opener-for-ucf

UCF Knights vs. FIU Golden Panthers: Preview, TV, Start Time, Betting Line

http://www.underdogdynasty.com/american-athletic-conference/2015/9/2/9232863/ucf-knights-vs-fiu-golden-panthers-preview-tv-start-time-betting-line

It's here.

Oh goodness, it's here.

Months wandering through a desert with no college football, and finally we have it.

And good for you Knights fans: you've been spared having to wait as long as almost everyone else. You and FIU (and UNC and SCAR . . . .) are the first to get this season started.

Start time: Thursday, September 3 at 6 PM EST.

Location: Brighthouse Networks Stadium, Orlando, FL

TV: CBS Sports Network. Sigh. Weren't Knights fans urged to embrace weekday games because the television exposure was going to be so much better?

Radio: 740-AM Orlando, Sirius 115, XM 203, UCF IMG Sports Network.

Betting Line: UCF is a 16 point or 16.5 favorite, depending on where you look.

Series: 2-1. Oh yeah, we're going to talk more about that "1." But UCF won the last meeting in 2013 in a shutout, 38-0.

What's New: It's the debut of the "Carl Black and Gold Cabana." That would be the 10,000 square foot beach-themed section of the stadium. It's an obvious addition because Orlando is famous for its miles of beaches and also knights are typically found on beaches. At the Cabana, you can buy a "frozen-mango beverage" called the Citronaut. which of course makes sense because UCF's first mascot[1] was a 50s-style spaceman crossed with a mango orange.

It's all ludicrous and we love it.

The Opponent: Even though the Knights out to win this one fairly easily, it would be wrong to think of this as a pure cupcake game for UCF.

Yes, FIU was 4-8 last year. But with four of those losses being quite close (one by two points, and three different losses by three points each), FIU was probably better than its record. FIU had the 35^th best statistical defense last year and now returns almost all of its starters on the defensive side of the ball. So the Golden Panthers ought to have a pulse (obligatory cautionary note for FIU fans: your turnover margin was remarkable last year, and it feels like there should be some regression to the mean).

But on offense . . . meh. There's no proven production from the wide receivers (though there is talent). Or a number of positions on the offensive line. FIU's sophomore QB Alex McGough will need to improve to give FIU some semblance of run-pass balance this year. Do keep an eye out for early enrollee Anthony Jones - he's a fast and elusive guy who can play lots of different positions. FIU fans are hoping that he is their next T.Y. Hilton.

Finally, we can't preview FIU without picking at some nasty scabs. I've sat through some miserable UCF games in my day (e.g., the entirety of "0-and-11-O'Leary"), but the profound frustration of losing to FIU in 2011 rates as one of the worst.  There was the Jeff Godfrey fumble (I still say his arm was moving forward!) that FIU's Isame Faciane recovered ran back 50 yards for a touchdown. And Josh Robinson horrendously misplaying a punt which FIU recovered at the eight yard line. And lots and lots of penalties and general offensive ineptitude.

But no one's going to make me watch that abomination again, right?

Right?

Damn.

(Skip to 2:30 or so to relive the pain).

UCF Outlook: Credit where credit is due, FIU. But despite UCF's significant question marks, the Knights ought to take care of business on Thursday.

Last year, QB Justin Holman displayed a tremendously strong arm. And also an astonishing lack of touch. He threw the football like it needed to go through a brick wall before the receiver could catch it. But he certainly showed flashes at times and by the end of the season it seemed crazy that O'Leary had trotted out Pete DiNovo instead of Holman to start the game against Penn State in Ireland. Holman is now a year more experienced and purportedly a more active leader and can, indeed, throw a touch pass. With practices closed, this is all crystal ball stuff to a certain extent, and Knights fans will be eager to see on Thursday if Holman has truly taken a big step forward in his development.

UCF's wide receiver situation, however, is very much in flux. Sophomore Jordan Akins is the most productive returning receiver with only 12 receptions for 135 yards. Taylor OIdham, who seemed like he would be stepping up, is injured. Chris Davis Jr. also abruptly left the team. But there are some promising young players at this position, including redshirt Freshman Tre'Quan Smith (UCF's Scout Team Player of the Year in 2014). And the UCF coaching staff has converted a bunch of players to WR in an effort to plug holes - former QBs Pete DiNovo and Nick Patti (here's hoping that they are as successful a conversion project as Jeff Godfrey was) and former safety/fill-in-wherever-on-defense-guy Jordan Franks. It's going to be interesting to see who starts emerging from this group.

Fortunately for the Knights, the offensive line ought to be solidified after last year's constant shuffling. Which certainly did the running backs no favors. Look for Junior RB Will Stanback to show FIU that he is a force to be reckoned with. He suffered last year behind poor line play and was banged up at various times through the season. But I keep predicting him to have a breakout year, dang it, and I think he starts to prove me right on Thursday.

There's also some uncertainty for the Knights on defense, especially the secondary which lost every starter from last year's team to graduation or the NFL. There's talent here in terms of some young players (Kyle Gibson and Rashad Causey, among others), but not much in the way of a proven commodity. But say this for the Knights coaching staff: they worked mightily to plug holes here. Iowa State transfer T.J. Mutcherson joined the team this summer and instantly became the most experienced guy in the unit. UCF also added two JUCO transfers, Jerod and Jeremy Boykin (the second set of brothers in the UCF secondary, because of course there's also Shaquem and Shaquill Griffins).

For UCF fans, a lot of the excitement on Thursday will focus on seeing who among the unproven players emerges. Ultimately, I predict we see a heavy reliance on the ground game to put away FIU.

What do you think? The poll, and the comments, are yours.

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[1] OK, so UCF was FTU then, and there was also that brief flirtation with Vinny the Vulture, but we're not going to get pedantic here.