UCF feels it has what it takes to compete right away in the expanded Big 12
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Nearly six years removed from an undefeated season and self-proclaiming themselves national champions, UCF is starting anew but not over.
The Knights are making the leap to the Big 12 this season following an impressive decade-long run in the American Athletic Conference. They are confident they have what it takes to be competitive right away in a stronger league that figures to challenge them like never before.
A 25-game winning streak that began in 2017 and extended through most of the following year fueled an argument that dominant non-Power 5 teams deserved to be part of the conversations involving berths in the College Football Playoff.
Winning at least nine games five of the past six seasons solidified a foundation coach Gus Malzahn hopes to build on in the new-look Big 12, which will also feature three more newcomers this fall in BYU and former UCF AAC rivals Houston and Cincinnati.
“We don’t want to be a member of the Big 12, we want to compete for championships,” Malzahn said. “That’ll be extremely hard. There’s no doubt about that. But that’s our goal, and that’s what we’re talking about.”
Malzahn has had success on the Power 5 level, leading Auburn to the 2013 Southeastern Conference title before losing to Florida State in that season's Bowl Championship Series national title game. He has assembled a staff with plenty of experience in elite programs.
The Knights also return six starters on both offense and defense, including dual-threat quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, who enters his second year as a starter at UCF after beginning his college career at Ole Miss.
Malzahn is in his third season in Orlando and has been preparing for an anticipated move to a Power 5 league since the day he arrived.
The Knights have found success by assembling strong recruiting classes and using the transfer portal to bolster depth, particularly on the offensive and defensive lines — areas Malzahn believes are critical to making the transition to a higher level of competition.
“The sky’s the limit for recruiting in a place like this,” the 57-year-old coach said, noting UCF is situated in the heart of talent-rich Florida. “There’s no NFL team. ... We just need to win at a high level at this level, and then we’ll take off.”
The Knights proclaimed themselves national champions in 2017 after finishing a perfect 13-0 but not landing a berth in that season’s playoff.
Malzahn and his players understand past success doesn’t mean anything now that they’re in the Big 12.
“We’ve got to earn everything that we get. ... That’s really our mindset,” Malzahn said, adding it will be important to retain the “chip on a shoulder” attitude that’s driven the program.
“This year,” the coach said, “is about playing for every player and every coach that helped us get to this point.”
LAST YEAR
UCF finished 9-5 a year ago, ending on a two-game skid with a loss to Tulane in the AAC championship game and in the Military Bowl.
CONFIDENT LEADER
The Knights are counting on continued growth from Plumlee. In addition to completing 63% of his passes while throwing for 2,586 yards and 14 touchdowns vs. eight interceptions, the Ole Miss transfer also led UCF in rushing with 866 yards and 11 TDs in 2022. Ideally, Malzahn wants a balanced attack that won’t rely so heavily on his QB.
“I think John Rys improved really the overall aspect of playing quarterback, playing in the system, understanding the little things,” the coach said.
“Compared to this time last year, I think the sky’s the limit for him,” Malzahn added. “It’s really going to be about him staying healthy.”
STRONG RUNNING GAME
UCF had a Top 10 rushing attack last year. Although Plumlee was the team's rushing leader, the Knights have running backs capable of easing the burden on the QB. They lost Isaiah Bowser (799 yards, 16 TDs rushing in 2022), however RJ Harvey returns after running for 796 yards and five TDs.
EXPERIENCE HELPS
Six of the top seven wide receivers from last season return, including Javon Baker, who had 56 receptions for 796 yards and five TDs. Offensive lineman Lokahi Pauole, defensive tackle Ricky Barber and defensive end Josh Celiscar are among other key players back.
TOUGHER SCHEDULE
The Knights have won 59 games over the past six seasons. It’ll be interesting to see how they’ll fare against stronger competition from week to week in the Big 12. The league opener is Sept. 23 at defending champion Kansas State. In all, eight of nine conference foes appeared in bowl games last season.
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