***All comments based on Ourlads.com depth chart and my personal opinion as an arm-chair warrior***
1) Cincy - Depth chart shows 8 Seniors on offense. They are still going to be very solid. I'm glad that running back left. He was a beast. That said, they lost Ridder and are replacing him with a Senior transfer from Eastern Michigan. Here's an odd situation, though. It's his fifth year in college but because of redshirting and 2020 he still has two years of eligibility left. That means he could be playing QB at the college level for 6 years. This QB was at Cincy for 3 years, transferred to Eastern Michigan and started in 2021, and now has transferred back to Cincy. The transfer portal at its worst....Eastern Michigan getting totally poached or used as a development platform for the Cincy QB. In his one season as starter (at Eastern Michigan) he completed 68% of his passes for 3121 yds but only had 14 TDs against 7 Ints. As a UCF fan, what I like about this is that he has beat out their 4-star QB recruit that has been at Cincy for 2 years (1 year of eligibility used in 2021). I can only assume in 2021 when they played the 4-star kid in 7 games that they thought he would be the starter in 2022. Much like us, seems like the QB situation is not settled prior to the season. Depth chart only shows 6 transfers on the two-deep (five in back-up roles) so they feel good about the guys they have developed and got depth. This game is going to be huge and I'm glad it is at our place.

Home games: Murderers row (sarcasm): Kennesaw State, Miami (Oh), Indiana (2-10 last season), USF, Navy, ECU, and Tulane.
Away games (tough schedule): Arkansas, Tulsa, SMU, UCF, Temple. Somehow Cincy and Tulsa have played 5 times in the last 10 years but 4 of the games were at Cincy. Tulsa beat them at home. All games pretty close.
We'll find out a lot about this team on week 1 when they travel to Arkansas but then they don't play anybody with a pulse for 3-4 weeks after that so it's going to be hard to gauge them for a while.

2) Houston - 5th year Senior QB. He made a huge jump in stats from 2020 to 2021. He completed 68% of his passes last year for 3550 yds with 30 TDs against 10 Ints. Not a threat running. Defense has 9 guys starting that are RS/Jr (or better). Houston was 12-2 last season with losses at home (first week) to Texas Tech and @Cincy. Holgerson is a crafty, veteran coach. Houston also feels like it has developed good talent within, only having 1 of 11 transfers in the 2-deep listed as starters, and the rest filling in depth. In 2021 Houston avoided playing both UCF and Cincy in the regular season. Same goes for 2022. They should be a lock for playing in the title game again, even playing @SMU. SMU has to play @UCF, Cincy, Houston and @Memphis.

Home games: Kansas, Rice, Tulane, USF, Temple, Tulsa
Away games: UTSA, Texas Tech, Memphis, Navy, SMU and ECU

3) SMU - Finished 8-4 in 2021, but finished 1-4 in their last 5 games (pummeled us at home; Lost @Cincy, @Houston, @Memphis, and Tulsa). Obviously, better competition than they played in their first seven games. He wasn't bad, either, especially for some tough road games. He had 10 TDs against 5 Ints in those games. Don't know what to make of that going into this season, other than the talent around him needs to get better. Prior to these games they were 7-0 but that was against: Abilene Christian, North Texas, @LaTech, @TCU (5-7), USF, @Navy, and Tulane. Tanner Mordecai is back for his second year as the starter. He threw 68% of his passes for over 3600 yds with 39 TDs against 12 Ints. He's a definite problem. Another kid that has 4 years in college but technically still has two years left. Kid could turn into a monster at the college level, declare for the NFL or bail for greener pastures (like a NIL deal for a year somewhere) next year as a hired gun (assuming he has another great season this year). This could be the surprise team of the league this year if the team around Mordecai improves. They have a tough schedule but almost all the tough games are at home. As for the rest of the team, I think they had a ton of transfers start last season so it is not odd that this years depth chart only shows one transfer starting, and another five as backups. 6 RS/Jr or better starting on offense and 8 on defense.

Home games: Lamar, TCU, Navy, Cincy, Houston, Memphis
Away games: North Texas, Maryland, UCF, Tulsa, USF, Tulane

4) Memphis - Had a down year last season at 6-6 but kind of reset things. In those 6 losses, they lost by 3, 3 (away), 6 (away), 17 (away), 1 and 18 (away). They started a true freshman QB who completed 60% of his passes for 3322 yds with 25 TDs against 8 Ints. Freshman QBs tend to not play well at road games. That's just the tale of the tape for all of college football. That said, even in the six games they lost (It looks like he only played in 5 of those), he threw 10 TDs against 3 Int. This seems to point more to an issue with the talent around the QB, then the QB. This kid could be a big problem. They have 8 starters on both offense and defense that are at least RSJr. 3 transfers have become starters. 7 others filling roles as backups. I didn't personally watch them play last year (other than our game) so I don't have any personal observations. With regards to conference play, 2 of their 3 hardest games on paper are at home.

Home: Arkansas State, North Texas, Temple, Houston, UCF, Tulsa, North Alabama (FCS)
Away: Miss St, Navy, ECU, Tulane, SMU

Sec 217 Row M seats 4-6

UCF @ FAU. 3 Seats in UCF section (end zone). $40 ea or $100 for all 3. Electronically transferred.

I’m ready to see these guys

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This is an awesome list of what Marc Daniels thinks is great about college football. Glad I have been able to witness at least a few of these over the years...

https://969thegame.iheart.com/featu...-column-all-that-is-good-in-college-football/

Holy smokes... looks like everyone is ok.

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Ocoee (Fla.) defensive back Zachary Tobe is in the final stretch of his recruitment. He has five visits scheduled this month before announcing his commitment in July. First up was UCF as he was among the players visiting for Bounce House Weekend.

"It was fun being around the other recruits, being able to experience everything," Tobe said. "My player host did a great job showing us around Orlando. What they put on for us (on Saturday) was a lot of fun. I enjoyed it a lot."

His host was Jaiden Francois.

"He was cool," Tobe said. "He told me at first he went to Nebraska. He explained that going far away from home is not always the best thing. Being here might be the best thing for me."

Saturday's activities were a lot of fun.

"We did a little competition, like a relay race, dodgeball, shooting basketballs and a kicking contest," Tobe said. "Who could kick a field goal first. We won the relay because we had the kicker from Boone (Grant Reddick) on our team. He was a great, made it on the first try. It was a lot of fun."



UCF's secondary coaches, Addison Williams and David Gibbs, have made a big impression with him.

"They've done a good job staying in contact with me and my parents," Tobe said. "Making sure that if I go here that they'll take care of me. Every time I come over there they just reassure me that I'll have the best college experience and football experience."

What does he like most about UCF?

"The location for sure," Tobe said. "It's right here next to home. They're playing good football and going into the Big 12. Anything I could get from a school far away I could get right here at home."

UCF joining the Power Five is a big plus.

"UCF is already known for big upsets and beating big schools," Tobe said. "I think they'll do just fine going to a bigger stage so they can show what they're really about."

Next up are visits to Boston College (June 10), Illinois (June 17), Iowa (June 20) and North Carolina (June 24). He is planning to announce his commitment July 7.

"I'm looking at things to do around the school outside of football," Tobe said. "The coaches, players and a family feel is very important. I want to make sure my family feels good about it. They're one of my biggest influences."

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Last August, UCF was the first school to offer Cartersville (Ga.) offensive lineman Johnathan Cline. He would later visit for last season's ECU game.

"After the game I got to go into the locker room and I got to shake hands with Coach (Herb) Hand and talk with him," Cline said at the time. "He's a great guy. I'd love to play for him if I end up committing and going there. Another thing thing that I really loved is the fans, and the way the rest of the guys got into the game, I’ve never seen a group of recruits so into game, I loved it."

"The visit was amazing. It was every kid's dream visit."

This summer, Cline took official visits to Miami, ECU and Memphis. He had been scheduled to OV for Bounce House Weekend, but that trip was postponed.

It's back on now. Cline tells me has booked an official visit for the weekend of Sept. 24 when the Knights are hosting Georgia Tech. That's also a bye week for Cartersville.

In the meantime, Cline says he's planning to swing by Appalachian State this upcoming week for an unofficial visit.

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Previous interviews:

Jk he's not just any Florida man, he's a Republican running for Congress in Florida. But keep telling me the GOP and Democrats are the same.

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3 Tickets (Aisle) in Sect 213 for SC State - Row 15, Seats 1-3

Use for three people or use for a couple who wants more room and doesn't like to sit butt-to-butt with strangers. 😁

Laurie@UCFKnights.org or (727) 242-4686 (text or call)

We did it last year before the Boise game and had a great time. This year will be even better. Come stop by and say hello. We will be right in front of the stadium next to IOA plaza. All FIW are welcome.

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Also going to do it again the following week down in Boca in the RV lot. Brought to you by Gordon and Partners.

Charge On!!!

Let me know if you are interested.

From the Sons of UCF: We're talking UCF Football with Jamie Seh, Sports Director of WKMG Local 6 in Orlando. Then, we wrap up our "Meet the Big 12" series with Marshall Scott from Pistols Firing, an Oklahoma State sports Web site.

Click here to watch.

Sad news.

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/fiu-linebacker-luke-knox-dead-22?intcmp=tw_fnc

?*

I need to have a minor procedure done and I had to pay in advance, which met my deductible so now I’m trying to think of any other medical things I can have done before the end of the year 😂. Also medical procedures seem to be one of the few things that charge you up front before they even do the procedure. It’s a little scary because I think their thought process is, if we don’t get our money up front and he dies we’ll never get paid.

Also I have money in my HSA but I was looking at that as part of my retirement savings since the HSA is tax free when you put it in and when you take it out it’s in someways better than even a 401k (either Roth or Traditional). Am I better off leaving my money in the HSA for retirement, when I am sure I will have plenty of medical expenses, and using other funds now, or paying with HSA funds now?

Looks like our men's soccer team, football team, softball team, and volleyball team all came out to the game. It seems like our teams have all really stepped it up in supporting each other since TMo got here...or I'm just noticing it more now. Either way, really cool!

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Excellent preseason content, bravo to the dude who dug this up if you’re a dungeon guy

Seats are on the Aisle
$200 for all 3 plus Garage D Parking Pass
Immediate Transfer Available!

View from aisle seat.

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This matchup has intrigued me and I may cop this shirt.

May also head up to Gainesville for usf game. I refuse to give FAU $.

Whatcha got?

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Defensive tackle Ricky Barber had a monster 2020 season at Western Kentucky, earning Freshman All-American honors with 51 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 27 hurries and a forced fumble.

The junior had similar aspirations last season after transferring to UCF, but suffered a knee injury in the third game at Louisville which forced him to miss the next two games. While he did return to action, Barber was never 100 percent. He finished the year with 29 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks.

"Last year was a humbling experience for me," Barber said. "Coming off that All-American season, transitioning to a bigger school and expecting to come in and make a big impact and then getting hurt. It was definitely humbling and it also taught me how much I really love football. When I wasn't playing, it was bad."

I asked if there was anything he could take away from being sidelined. A silver lining?

"It allowed me to step back and really get to know the people I was playing with," Barber said. "We had to lean on a lot of guys to make those plays. I was able to view them from a different angle and see them step up. Really trust the people I'm playing with."

Barber said he had a productive summer in the weight room working with strength coach Chris Dawson. He said he feels 100 percent. It was a good summer for the team as well.

"I feel we made a lot of progress this offseason," Barber said.

He was at first a bit modest about his strength numbers, but word around the building is he's one of the best lifters on the team. He has a friendly weight room rivalry with center Matt Lee when it comes to the squat.

"We compete a lot," Barber said. "We were lift partners. This week he might one-up me by five pounds, but the next week I'll get him. We got up to 585 (pounds), 600, just going at each other."

Sometimes offensive and defensive linemen don't get along especially since they clash during practice, but not between Barber and Lee.

"It's all love between us," Barber said. "That's my dog. We sit next to each other in team meetings. On the field we go at it, but we're joking and laughing after the play."



What's the outlook for the defensive line?

"Honestly, I feel us as a d-line, we have a really big chip on our shoulder," Barber said. "I feel like this year, from our coaches and trickling down to us players, we're hungry. We need a big year. We want a big year. Seize the moment. This is the year."

Barber talked about a few of his teammates already standing out.

"I like Jamaal (Johnson), the freshman d-end. I've been noticing him a lot. He looks good. D-tackle wise, Matthew Alexander, Kervins Choute, older guys like Keenan Hester and Anthony Montalvo. Can't forget about Lee Hunter. Everybody is coming to practice hungry. Everybody is giving it their all."

Lee Hunter is a transfer from Auburn.

"He's a beast, honestly," Barber said. "Size and speed, he's a beast."

And what does Barber want to achieve personally?

"I want to establish myself as one of the best d-linemen in the nation. That's my goal."

The team goal?

"This team is walking around with a championship mentality," Barber said. "That's how we carry ourselves around the building. That's what we want to produce on the field."

Asked what he's most looking forward to, Barber said it was winning the American Athletic Conference Championship. There are still a few players left who were there for the back-to-back titles in 2017 and 2018 including fellow defensive tackle Anthony Montalvo.

"Monty is my roommate, so we talk about that all the time," Barber said. "I've seen Monty's championship ring in the room. I want one."

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UCF center Matt Lee's face lit up when asked what part of the offense he's most excited about.

"Honestly, I like to run the ball," Lee said. "I like to power run. We're going to do a lot of that and that gets me excited... We've got a crazy running back room. I'm excited to see what those guys can do this season."

Here's the recap from our interview on Thursday:

Matt Lee said the team is become "very close." He said the offense is becoming much more cohesive as a unit.

As far as the OL depth and rotation, Lee said "I think we've got it figured out now." Herb Hand was experimenting with different lineups. Now they're "in a good spot" and "ready to get after it."

Physically, he feels good. His body isn't really sore this camp. He's treating his body like a pro.

Asked about the tackles, Lee said Paul Rubelt has "grown a lot" and "I think he's going to be a good player this year." Both Ryan Swoboda and Tylan Grable have done well too.

Lokahi Pauole is the emergency center, the spot Cole Schneider had last year.

He's not worried about the QB competition. He trusts both. "They take their job serious and they do it right."

The strength of the OL is the "grit." Dominating the double teams and winning the one-on-one blocks.

Coach Hand treats his players "like family. He "loves him to death."

On the offense as a whole, he's excited about running the ball. Doing power running. Also excited about airing out the ball and going deep because the receivers "can go get it."

He thinks the offense is going to take a big step from last year.

Asked about facing the DL, "iron sharpens iron." He said Tre'Mon Morris-Brash is "having a hell of a camp."

He complimented Ryan Swoboda and Tylan Grable again, as well as Paul Rubelt. "They can move really well for guys of that size. And they're athletes. They're not just big guys who flop around."

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Quadric Bullard looks like a totally different player this season.

The junior is coming off a breakout season in which he emerged as a starting safety and one of UCF's best defensive players. He was a second team All-Conference selection according to PFF, ranking second on the team in tackles. He did all that with a playing weight in the 150-pound range. He spent the last eight months bulking up and has added more than 30 pounds to his frame.

We caught up with the Dania Beach native following Thursday's practice.

Bullard said he "knows the defense like the back of his hand," so his primary focus this camp has been getting used to the heavier weight. Last year, he could go 20 plays and not become gassed. Now, maybe it's 10-15 plays. He's trying to condition as much as he can after scrimmage. He's seeing improvement as the preseason goes on.

At the beginning of 2021 season, he weighed 160-165. At the end of the season, he was 150-155. He now weights 185. With help from the nutritionists and his father, his offseason was dedicated to putting on the pounds.

He hopes to stay above 180 the entire season, and hopefully get up to 190 by the 2023 season.

I asked how he put on the weight.

"It was the most hideous process I ever had to do," Bullard said. "I'd wake up at like 5:30 in the morning, take a shake and go back to sleep for about an hour to an hour 30. Get up, eat a light breakfast. Eggs, bagel, probably sausage or something like that. After workouts, take another shake. Eat another meal. Pasta, rice, something like that. Something with heavy carbs. Then eat dinner and later on at night, take another shake. My shakes consist of oatmeal, Fairlife (lactose-free milk), peanut butter, protein, bananas, fruits. The shakes really helped me maintain that weight."

He said he doesn't like peanut butter if not on bread with jelly. The banana helped mask the peanut butter taste in the shake.

Asked about where they need to improve, Bullard said "communication skills." Said right they're "good but not great." That's the focus right now.

He praised freshman DB Nikai Martinez:

"Nikai Martinez is a dog. He might be small compared to other DBs, but he's a dog. He's on the field for a reason and it shows. Coming up and making tackles on bigger backs. In order to play this game you've got to be fearless and he shows that."

He thinks this defense will show a big improvement in tackling. They missed too many last year.

The QB competition between Mikey and JRP is "elite." Bullard added, "If you try to choose a starter right now, it would be impossible." By the first game there will be a "clear starter" but it will be "by a smidge."

I asked about standout defensive performances during camp. He said it's somebody new every day. He then name dropped Nikai Martinez, Brandon Adams, Davonte Brown.

How difficult will it be to pass on this defense?

"If you count five yards, we'll give you five yards. Five yards is not going to beat us. If you're talking about throwing the ball down field, it's almost impossible at that point. Last year we did a great job of keeping a top on the coverage. This year we're still doing that. Those deep routes these opponents think they're gonna complete, they'll throw an interception or it's going to be incomplete. The choice is yours."