Play Oklahoma State on Friday at 7:00 in CBS Sports

Of course any weekend with UCF on is a great weekend but what is your answer for college football and your favorite viewing weekend.

For two recruiting cycles Gus has repeated he goes out and recruits like his hair is on fire . His fire headed results are paying off.

NOW, Gus we all need you to coach these boys up for two more games like your hair is on fire. It's all well and good to recruit with fire ,now it's time to coach with fire.

Lastly,. I hope the team plays like their hair is on fire. It's time to step up and finish strong . UCF is in a position with two more wins to win the Conference and head to Dallas to play for some cotton. I know ,I know don't look ahead ,but the goal is within reach and with a little fire all around it's attainable Beat the crap out of the bulls Saturday.

So, this is what it feels like to have that P5 bias and privilege. 😆..

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South Florida linebacker Dwayne Boyles has never tasted victory against UCF in his four prior matchups. He wants to end his collegiate career by hoisting the War on I-4 trophy.

Bulls Prepared For 14th War On I-4 Clash​

November 22, 2022

Joey JohnstonAthletics Senior Writer

Story Links​

USF (1-10; 0-7 American) vs #25/- UCF (8-3; 5-2 American)

Saturday, Nov. 26 • 7:00 P.M. • Raymond James Stadium (69,457) • Tampa, Fla.

SURFACE: Natural: Bermuda

TV: ESPN2: Taylor Zarzour (PXP), Matt Stinchcomb (Analyst) & Alyssa Lang (sideline)

RADIO: 102.5 FM/102.5 HD 2

AUDIO STREAM: TuneIn - Bulls Unlimited 1

SERIES: UCF leads, 7-6; STREAK: UCF last 5

IN TAMPA: Tied, 3-3

IN ORLANDO: UCF leads, 4-3

LAST YEAR: UCF won, 17-13, in Orlando

AAC GAMES: USF lost last 12

VS RANKED: 11-36, lost last 14; 7-19 at home

USF (PDF) (PDF)GAME NOTES (PDF)



FAN APPRECIATION GAME FEATURES $55K IN PRIZE GIVEAWAYS



With Rivalry Week finally here, the USF Bulls already have the proper perspective for Saturday night's "War On I-4'' game against the UCF Knights at Raymond James Stadium.

"I didn't know much about this rivalry,'' said Bulls' freshman quarterback Byrum Brown, a native of Rolesville, N.C. "I mean, I knew they were a rival. But we had our coach introducing Mike Lofton (offensive lineman transfer from UCF) as being from 'The Team Up The Street.' So, I knew it had to be a big rivalry if he wouldn't even mention the name.''

Bulls' linebacker Dwayne Boyles, preparing for his fifth meeting against UCF, speaks from experience.

"It's Hate Week,'' Boyles said. "There's a lot of hate and a lot of intensity on both sides. And that makes it a great game.''

For the Bulls (1-10, 0-7 AAC), it's an opportunity to end a five-game losing streak at the hands of UCF and tie the rivalry standings at 7-7, while claiming the 4-foot-3, 160-pound War On I-4 trophy … for a while.

With UCF scheduled to join the Big 12 Conference next season, there are no USF-UCF football games scheduled and USF's non-conference slate is full through 2027.

For the suddenly vulnerable Knights (8-3, 5-2), ranked No. 25 in the Associated Press poll, it's a chance to position themselves for a spot in the AAC Championship Game. UCF's opportunity to host that game was halted with last week's bitter 17-14 home defeat against Navy. If the Knights defeat USF, depending on the results of other games and potentially various computer rankings the AAC utilizes to break ties, they could be playing for a conference title.

But if the Knights are beaten by USF, their AAC title hopes are dead.

Even with nothing at stake, USF-UCF is always spirited and passionate. With this season's subplots, the 14th edition of the rivalry could boil over with meaningful play and fan interest.

"We have a chance to win a trophy,'' USF interim head coach Daniel Da Prato said. "None of our kids have had a chance to hold that trophy. So, let's go get it and let's keep it here a while. And we have a chance to keep them from playing for a championship.

"There's a lot that's different about this weekend. Geographically, we've got kids from this area and they have kids from this area. It's about bragging rights and school pride and all the things that make college football such a great sport. I think this week and this rivalry is awesome. I'd love to continue to play those guys, but that's so far out of my control. What we have is Saturday night, 7 p.m., an ESPN2 nationally televised game. Put the ball down and let's play football. We'll be ready. I know they'll be ready as well.''

USF is coming off a 48-42 defeat at Tulsa last Friday in a game that saw temperatures dipping into the 20s. It was the initial college start for Brown, 18, who had a stirring debut (21-for-25, 240 yards, three touchdowns, 21 straight completions, 76 yards rushing and touchdown).

Brown was aided by the work of running back Brian Battie (19 carries for a career-best 169 yards), who became USF's sixth back to achieve the 1,000-yard milestone in a season.

USF's defense will be challenged by a UCF offense that features dual-threat quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, an Ole Miss transfer who is the team's leading passer (2,015 yards) and rusher (708 yards). The Knights have also utilized Mikey Keene, last season's starter, and Da Prato said the Bulls must prepare for both players.

"They also have an excellent defense with speed in the secondary and good play at linebacker,'' Da Prato said. "Overall, a really good, well-coached team. It will be a big challenge for us. But that's why we play this game … for opportunities like these. We've got 16 seniors we're going to recognize and you know they want to go out on the right note.

"We just need to go about our business the right way and minimize the self-inflicted errors. We need to play a good, sound game. It's a rivalry game, it's going to be fun and we will be ready.''

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UCF offensive lineman Sam Jackson didn't think it would be his last home game.

Holding tiebreakers against AAC-title contenders Cincinnati and Tulane, all the Knights needed to do was beat 3-7 Navy and 1-10 South Florida and they'd be hosting the AAC Championship Game on Dec. 3.

But after losing a 17-14 decision to Navy this past weekend, those dreams are up in smoke. UCF still has a chance to be the road participant in the championship, but that path is less clear and they may need some outside help.

"At no point did I think we were going to lose," Jackson said. "It was one of those things that after the game it hit me hard. I sat on the bench for like five minutes staring at the stadium. I was kind of mad at myself. I was confident enough to think I'd have another game in here. I wasn't looking at it as my last game. When it finally hit me, it was upsetting to say the least. It sucked. But there's nothing I can do about it now."

Jackson said the players handled the loss about as well as one could have expected.

"It's about as bad as you can think, but it wasn't anybody yelling at each other," Jackson said. "Just disappointed in what happened and the implications in that game. We came up short as a team. We knew that.

"In previous years, I think some players would have freaked out in the locker room and got mad at each other. We all came together. We knew we didn't get the job done collectively. Guys were down and other guys were picking them up. That shows how close we are.

"This week we're ready to go out and win this and see where the chips fall."

Jackson played six seasons in the Bounce House, dating back to 2017.

"We won a lot of games in the Bounce House," Jackson said. "I enjoyed every minute of it. I'm proud of coming in here and being a part of something special at UCF."

Favorite memories?

"There's a lot," he said. "It's hard to beat the 2017 USF game and the kickoff return at the end. Winning both those championships in the Bounce House. This year beating Cincinnati was huge. Those are moments and feelings I'll never forget."

Next up is the War on I-4 in Tampa this Saturday.

"I'm real excited," Jackson said. "It's our last time (playing USF). Maybe for this program for however long that is. It's a special game for us, especially guys that have been here a long time. I want to keep on winning against them."

With UCF headed to the Big 12 next season and leaving South Florida behind in the American, this is the final scheduled game between the two rivals. The Bulls have full non-conference schedules for the remainder of the decade, which could mean realignment will end this on-field rivalry, at least for the foreseeable future.

"As a player, I enjoy rivalry games," Jackson said. "This one is our oldest rivalry game. I as a player and future alumni would want to see this game in the future. I know it's based on how it would help our schedule and our future as a program."

South Florida has been on a serious downturn since that dramatic 2017 game in Orlando. Since 2020, the Bulls are 4-28 and recently fired head coach Jeff Scott. Special teams coordinator Daniel Da Prato is serving as interim coach.

After last week, Jackson says nobody on the team will be overlooking South Florida. The Bulls were dreadful last season, but were one play away from beating UCF in the Bounce House.

"I don't think anybody is thinking like that especially with what happened (vs. Navy)," Jackson said. "We're ready to go play our best game."

UCF has won five consecutive games in the War on I-4 dating back to 2017 and currently hold a 7-6 all-time advantage. The Knights must win to maintain superiority and not fall back into a tie.

"Putting a final nail in the coffin would be awesome," Jackson said.

Are we planning on bringing our flags and waiving goodbye to the cows?

Marc seems confused by the tiebreakers which means UCF likely is as well. Because the title game is held the following Saturday the CFP rankings on Tuesday of the championship game are not used.

Daniels:

"If the Tulane-Cincinnati loser remains in the College Football Playoff rankings and UCF and Houston are not in that list of teams, then it would be a rematch between the Green Wave and Bearcats. If UCF and Houston can win and get into those rankings and move ahead of Tulane or be ranked if the Green Wave are not, then that team would get into the title game.

But if no other AAC team is ranked by the playoff committee, other than the winner of Tulane-Cincinnati, the tiebreaker becomes the average computer ranking of the three tied teams from the following computer rankings: Anderson & Hester, Billingsley, Colley Matrix and Wolfe."

https://969thegame.iheart.com/featu...puters-lamborghinis-playoff-noles-and-turkey/

7.5. If the regular season ends and the Championship Game is scheduled for the next Saturday, then the following tiebreaker procedures will be used;

7.5.1.If the highest-ranked of the tied teams in the latest available CFP Selection Committee rankings wins in the final weekend of regular season Conference play, it will be declared a Championship Game participant.

7.5.2.If the highest-ranked of the tied teams in the latest available CFP Selection Committee rankings loses in the final weekend of regular season Conference play, then a composite average of selected computer rankings (Anderson & Hester, Billingsley, Colley and Wolfe) will be used to determine the Championship Game participants;

7.5.3.If there are multiple tied teams ranked in the latest available CFP Selection Committee rankings, the highest-ranked team or teams that win in the final weekend of the Conference regular season will be Championship Game participants; "



In short, if UCF is ranked in tomorrows CFP rankings and wins it will be in the Championship Game.

https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.si..._Championship_Tie_Breakers_FINAL_Approved.pdf

Good Morning,

And On This Weeks Show, A full episode with Tre Neal.

We touch on Tulane
We break down Navy
Story Time On The War On I4 Rivalry
Cow Game Breakdown
We Discuss the path to the ship
Hoops (needed more time for this so it was brief)
Our Predictions
News and Notes

Hope you enjoy it.

Roger


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I wonder if a coach that was in Alabama for a long time and a former Charlotte coach could be in the running.

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Next segment...plus HC Salaries and thoughts

Due to Thanksgiving this week, plus UCF home basketball game on Wed night....Radio Show has been moved to Monday Night at 7 pm.

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The Navy game was a taxing one for UCF defensive linemen like Josh Celiscar.

The nature of the Midshipmen's option offense is to cut block, which isn't a fun thing for those in the trenches. That being said, Navy did execute a pair of long, methodical drives in the first half but UCF's defense fared much better in the second half.

"(The adjustment) was the speed of it," Celiscar said earlier this week. "When it started, we didn't know how fast it would be coming at us. Their offensive line is cut blocking the whole game. They're coming quick. At the beginning of the game we were getting adjusted to the speed. Once we made adjustments as a defense, we basically did a great job in the second half holding them to three points."

Celiscar admitted they thought they could basically show up and notch a win against a 3-7 Navy. He never envisioned the 17-14 defeat.

"We have to take advantage of every opportunity and not take any team for granted," Celiscar said. "I felt we were a little lax (vs. Navy). We have to go out there and play our brand of ball, not be lackadaisical out there at times."

If UCF would have beat Navy and South Florida this week on the road, they would have been hosting the AAC Championship on Dec. 3. That's not happening now and the Knights will need some help to be a road participant in the championship. Celiscar thought for sure they'd have another home game in the Bounce House.

"Just like Sam (Jackson) said, he expected to have another game here," Celiscar. "That's why (the loss) was so disappointing... I felt we had an opportunity to win the game and have that championship at home."

Celiscar, who is from Winter Haven, doesn't have any connections with South Florida besides the fact he attended his first prospect camp there.

"They didn't offer me," Celiscar said. "I didn't really want to go there anyway. I just needed someone to start off with my first offer... I just didn't believe in the way they ran their stuff. I didn't like it. The d-ends coach at the time, Paul Spicer, I felt he underestimated me as a player. That's how I felt."

It's well established how the War on I-4 fanbases feel about each other. How does Celiscar view South Florida?

"I ain't gonna say we hate them, but that probably sums it up the best," Celiscar said. "In a rivalry you have to have that camaraderie, that you don't like the team at all. We play them every year and it's a little disrespect when we play them."

Being this is the week of Thanksgiving, what is he most thankful for?

"I'm thankful for my family," Celiscar said. "Without them, I probably wouldn't have a reason for why I'm doing this. I do this for them. Coming from Haiti and not having much when they first came to the United States, for me, I want to make a better life for them and provide an opportunity to live something luxurious one day."

My cat, Poofy, was hit by a car recently and had his jaw broken in two places while sustaining several other injuries. The doctors believe that he will live, but I have been off the board and tending to him several times a day. I basically have to hand feed him and it has been a rough process.

I don't like being a begger, but any help you can give will be greatly appreciated and will put both us in your debt.

I won't be able to post here that much in the coming days as much of my time is devoted to him.

Fundraiser link.

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UCF head coach Gus Malzahn reviews the loss to Navy and talks about this week's final War on I-4 in Tampa.

Opening statement:

"Obviously coming off a tough home loss in the game that I really felt like we should have won. Any time that happens, that is my responsibility. Got to do a better job with that. The good thing for us is we're moving forward. We've got a rival coming up. Chance to win nine games. We go on the road. Our guys after our meeting yesterday, they flipped the switch. We've got great leadership. We bounced back twice earlier in the season from these things. I really expect us to do the same thing. Our guys are looking forward to playing these guys."

We saw a couple different quarterbacks that played last week. You said John Rhys was banged up a little bit. Is there some clarity this week of what the plan is with who is going to play and could both play?

"Yeah, that's exactly what happened. Like I told you after the game, he wasn't 100 percent. I think you could see that towards the end of the half. Felt like Mikey would give us a lift. He did there in the first drive. Obviously we had the big turnover there. It was uphill after that. John Rhys is our starting quarterback. We're fortunate enough to have a guy like Mikey right there ready to go. We'll see how practice goes. Obviously if John Rhys is ready to go he'll be our starter."

What do you know about this USF team?

"They've been scoring a lot of points. They're very creative on offense. Defensively, they've had some injuries that's definitely hurt them. They've been in some games against some real quality opponents and haven't been able to get over that hump. If you remember last year, they were in a similar situation and they gave us their best. We're expecting to get their best. They're playing at home. Last regular season game. We need to play good quality football. That's really been our message."

You were talking about bouncing back. How much is it helpful to have a rivalry?

"There's no doubt. We were disappointed. We should have been. 24 hour rule and we put it behind us. They flipped the switch. I expect us to come out and have a really good week of practice to be ready to play these guys."

On Sunday night, Coach Lindsey indicated Mikey came in to provide a bit of a spark. Was that also a factor in the decision to bring Mikey into the game?

"Yeah, like I said afterwards, it looks like John Rhys wasn't completely healthy right there. We felt we needed a spark. He provided that spark. We got close a couple times and just couldn't get any points on the board in that third and fourth quarter after that first drive."

Looking at the film, what was the biggest deficiency that you should have done better? No. 1 for Navy, John Marshall, was terrorizing your offense.

"We had trouble protecting. We had a lot of RPOs that looking back we could have ran the football probably a little bit more. Like I said, from my standpoint, I've got to do a better job with those types of situations."

What did you like about the defensive effort in the second half?

"They made really good adjustments. That's a hard team to prepare for. That first drive, you're adjusting and seeing how they're going to attack you. You're adjusting to the speed. After that, our guys settled in and thought they did a really good job, especially in the second half."

More on the War on I-4, obviously you were here last year. Are you recognizing even more how important this game is being it's the last scheduled meeting with these two teams?

"I can tell how important it is to our fans and our players, especially the older guys that have been around. Of course, experienced it one time and going down to the very end. I get it. There's no doubt about that. We know we're going to get their best. They're going to get our best. We'll see what happens."

You said you hoped to run the ball a little bit more. Did Mikey struggle with RPO reads in the second half?

"There was a couple things that everyone could have done a little bit better as far as that goes."

USF has had lineup and staff changes. What stands out?

"Last year, I think they got rid of their defensive coordinator the week before we played them. The same guy is calling the defense that we went against last year. So we're familiar with that. They don't have their regular head coach. It is what it is. It's the last game of the year. It's a very, very important game for us. Our guys understand that. We're not getting caught up in who's coaching and who's not."

With UCF going to the Big 12 and USF has some games scheduled, but in a perfect world is that a rivalry you'd want to keep alive?

"I don't know. Me and Terry will get together and we'll figure out what's best for us moving forward. Hard for me to answer that question right now."

There's still a chance to make the conference championship. You've got to win first and foremost. Do you understand the tiebreaker rules? A lot of us have been trying to figure out the scenarios.

"We need to win the game. We win the game and I like our chances. That's really about it."

What's dangerous about a 1-10 team?

"You would normally say overlooking them, but we're not overlooking them. Especially with that happened last year and they were in a similar situation. We're going to get their best. They're going to get our best. We'll put the ball down and see what happens."

On those things that have to happen for you to get to your ultimate goal, how do you keep the guys from thinking about that stuff?

"They're thinking about this game. They're thinking about this game and this game only. We'll worry about that stuff after the game. Like I said, I like our chances but we need to win."

Will finally be able to beat Navy ffs

The bad news: With the exception of center Matt Lee, we lose our entire offensive line next season.
The good news: With the exception of center Matt Lee, we lose our entire offensive line next season.

PS: pray that Jevan Baker comes back. He is as good a WR as we have ever had at UCF

As part of my Clear membership, they give me 5 free Clear passes to give out for the holidays. The passes are valid for 3 months, so if any of you want to try it out, I can send the code to enroll. I use Clear in conjunction with Precheck which usually get's me through security in 5 minutes so not sure how using only Clear alone will help, but the passes are there if anyone wants to try it.

Saw this on the Facebook group:

"Thank you Judy"

Any others?

So I went and looked at Navy’s schedule. .. maybe they are a great team with some bad luck??? Well…

They lost to Delaware to start the season….

.

Ron passed away in May, but his house is listed for sale for $6M. No telling if the sculptures or framed photos of Hawaiian Tropic models come with it.