2014
Central Florida
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule – Odds
UCF is coming off a great season, with 12 wins and a Fiesta Bowl win (as huge underdogs) over Baylor. The main issue for the Knights is that they have to replace the No. 3 overall pick in the NFL draft, quarterback Blake Bortles. It won’t be easy, that’s for sure, but the defense will keep them competitive in most Games.
As expected when you lose a player like Bortles, the QB position is still up for grabs for Central Florida. Justin Holman was the backup last year and he only attempted 14 passes, but he still has the edge on the rest of the competition. Also missing is a 1,000-yard rusher in Storm Johnson. His loss won’t be as hard to replace because William StaNBAck (105 carries, 443 yards) got plenty of work last year at tail back. Whoever does start at QB will have plenty of experienced receivers to throw to in Rannell Hall (886 yards), Breshad Perriman (811 yards) and J.J. Worton (721 yards, 7 TDs).
The offensive line is another problem for the UCF offense as they lose three starters, a couple of them moving to the NFL. Torrian Wilson will move to guard and lead the unit as a senior, but there will be new blood in this group, which could be trouble early in the season.
Defensively, the Knights allowed 21.3 points per Game last year and return eight starters from that team. If they can improve on last year’s numbers, there’s no reason this team can’t compete for the AAC title again, even without a stand-out quarterback.
UCF has studs all around on defense including all-Conference linebacker Terrance Plummer leading the way along with probably the best secondary in the Conference (all starters return). Their line is the least experienced of the group, but is still full of upperclassmen.
The bad news for the Knights is that they get to start with a Game against Penn State (in Ireland) and a road Game at Missouri. Playing with a new quarterback, those Games will likely end in losses unless the defense can be dominant against bigger teams.
From there, a road Game at Houston to open the AAC will be important as the Cougars are one of the better teams in the conference. OUtside of that, most of their other Conference Games should be wins as long as the defense doesn’t regress or the new QB doesn’t fall apart. Most offenses are lackluster in this Conference and UCF doesn’t even have to play Cincinnati.
Their final Game at East Carolina will be another one to watch for because that Game could end up having AAC title implications. Not to mention, the Pirates probably have the best offense in the conference.
Reaching last year’s record probably won’t happen, but getting in the eight-win range seems to be likely for this team, which isn’t all that bad considering they don’t have an immediate replacement for Bortles.
5 dimes sportsbook has odds/lines posted for the first few weeks of Games for several AAC teams. Check em out.
2014 UCF Football Schedule
Aug. 30 vs. Penn State (in Dublin)
Sept. 13 at Missouri
Sept. 20 vs. Bethune-Cookman
Oct. 2 at Houston
Oct. 9 vs. BYU
Oct. 18 vs. Tulane
Oct. 25 vs. Temple
Nov. 1 at Connecticut
Nov. 14 vs. Tulsa
Nov. 22 vs. SMU
Nov. 28 at South Florida
Dec. 4 at East Carolina