How much has UCF improved in the first year under Scott Frost? Saturday's home game against Maryland will offer a much better gauge of where the Knights stack up.
Though there were some were some early bumps, UCF still cruised to an easy 38-0 shutout victory of FCS South Carolina State in the opener. The competition level increased exponentially in week two going on the road to No. 5 Michigan, a team which could contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff. UCF competed defensively, but special teams blunders and a lackluster offense made things easy for the Wolverines, who capitalized early on mistakes and never looked back in a 51-14 victory.
Maryland also plays in the Big Ten, but they're not anywhere near the level of a Michigan, having struggled to a 3-9 finish in 2015. That season led to the ouster of head coach Randy Edsall and introduction of D.J. Durkin, the former defensive coordinator at Michigan.
As an interesting sidebar to the contest, the Omaha World-Herald reported that Frost turned down an offer from Maryland (and Syracuse) to accept the position at UCF.
"Maryland is a good team," Frost said. "They've blown out the first two teams they've played. I think they're well coached on both sides of the ball. Really good on special teams too, so we need to make sure we're ready for that challenge. Any time you've got a Big Ten team coming in here, we've got to prepare well. I know our kids will be ready for that challenge."
Running a spread offense, the Terrapins are more of a mirror of UCF does. The player to watch on that side is wide receiver D.J. Moore, a dynamic athlete who had six catches for 147 yards and two long touchdowns against FIU last week.
"I think he's a really good player," UCF defensive coordinator Erik Chinander said. "They do some things that allow him to get the ball and get it in space. So we really have to contain him. But I just think their offensive scheme is really, really good right now. We've seen this kind of thing before. They put a lot of pressure on underneath defenders, putting those guys in a bind, the curl flat players. They also put your linebackers in a bind, pulling players and running the quarterback out of the back side. It's going to be a challenge. We've got to fit things correctly. It's a little different than last week. Last week they had us in a phone booth, so everybody has to fit correctly or else they get a gap that small and it's gone. This week it's going to be out in space, so we have to close down gaps and try to get a hitter on a hitter."
UCF offensive coordinator Troy Walters has also been impressed.
"Defensively, the head coach has a defensive background so they play hard," he said of Maryland. "That's the one thing that jumps out. All across the board those guys are flying around and making plays. The secondary is veteran. We've got our work cut out for us. They're going to mix it up man and zone. They're similar to our defense. They have three down, four down, mix up coverages. You've got to let the system work for you. You can't worry about what they're going to do. Just got to take care of us."
Here's a look at every game involving the American and UCF's upcoming non-conference opponents. Picks made are head-to-head and not factoring in the spread.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
No. 6 Houston (2-0) at Cincinnati (2-0)
7:30 p.m., ESPN
The Buzz: With all eyes on Houston and their potential path to a spot in the College Football Playoff, this will be one of their most difficult tests within their AAC schedule this season, playing one of the better East Division teams on the road in a short week. Both teams are 2-0 with wins against a FCS foe and Power Five team - Houston of course knocked off then-No. 3 Oklahoma in week one, then blanked Lamar 42-0 this past weekend. Cincinnati has a win against UT-Martin and last week beat Purdue, 38-20.
For the Cougars, dynamic QB Greg Ward Jr. is back after being held out of the Lamar game with a sore shoulder. So is RB Duke Catalon who was nursing a sprained ankle. True freshman DT Ed Oliver is a beast with 10 tackles, two sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss through two games.
Cincinnati went wild with five interceptions against Purdue.
Fun Fact: Cincinnati is 9-1 all-time in Thursday-night games at home. Their only loss a 31-24 overtime setback to Louisville at the conclusion of the 2013 season.
The Line: Houston by 7
The Pick: Houston
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Kansas (1-1) at Memphis (1-0)
12 noon, ESPNU
The Buzz: A "rematch" of the 2008 men's basketball National Championship Game, a 75-68 KU win in overtime. It was an amazing comeback for the Jayhawks, who had trailed by nine points in the final two minutes of regulation. Mario Chalmers drained a three-pointer with two seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.
On the football side, this is the second-game of a series that began last season, a 55-23 Memphis win in Lawrence. Kansas, winless in 2015, snapped their 15-game losing streak with opening-week win against Rhode Island, but lost last weekend to Ohio, 31-27. Kansas has not defeated a FBS opponent since 2014 and have not won a road game since 2009. Yes, you read that correctly. They haven't won a road game in this decade. Kansas has a 38-game losing streak in games played away from home.
Memphis probably would have rather played a game in week two, but they had a bye week following their 35-17 opening victory against FCS Southeast Missouri State. The heir apparent to Paxton Lynch is Riley Ferguson, who was 26-of-40 for 295 yards and three touchdowns with two interceptions. Memphis is now coached by Mike Norvell, the former offensive coordinator at Arizona State.
The Line: Memphis by 20.5
The Pick: Memphis
Temple (1-1) at Penn State (1-1)
12 noon, Big Ten Network
The Buzz: A year ago, Temple turned some heads with their 27-10 win against Penn State in Philadelphia, which snapped a 31-game losing streak in the series. Owls coach Matt Rhule is a PSU grad. Temple, with a disappointing loss to Army to open the season, rebounded with a 38-0 win against FCS Stony Brook in week two. RB Jahad Thomas, an all-conference player last season, remains questionable with a hand sprain. He has missed the first two games of the season.
Penn State got rocked early last week by Pittsburgh, made a game of it with a chance to tie or take the lead late, but ultimately lost 42-39. A loss to another instate team could potentially make the seat a little warm for James Franklin, who has underwhelmed in his third year in State College.
The Line: Penn State by 8.5
The Pick: Penn State
Virginia (0-2) at UConn (1-1, 0-1 AAC)
1:30 p.m., SNY
The Buzz: It hasn't been an ideal start for new Virginia coach Bronco Mendenhall, formerly at BYU, after getting rocked in week one by FCS Richmond 37-20 and then losing a 44-26 road game at Oregon. Former ECU coach Ruffin McNeill is on the UVa staff as defensive line coach. RB Albert Reed has back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances in both of their games.
UConn, after squeaking by FCS Maine to start the year, lost a 28-24 decision to Navy last week, getting stopped on the one-yard line as time expired. WR Noel Thomas has 20 catches already. QB Bryant Shirreffs was incredibly efficient, completing 23-of-26 passes for 239 yards and a TD against Navy.
The Line: UConn by 4.5
The Pick: UConn
North Carolina A&T (2-0) at Tulsa (1-1)
2 p.m., ESPN3
The Buzz: It seems most teams play one FCS opponent per season, but this a rare occurrence for Tulsa who haven't played a lower-level team since the 2012 season. North Carolina A&T, who compete in the same conference as Bethune-Cookman and Florida A&M, beat Kent State of the MAC last week, 39-36.
Tulsa opened the year with a 45-10 win against San Jose State, but got handled by Ohio State in Columbus last week, 48-3. It didn't help that the Golden Hurricane had six turnovers against the Buckeyes. RB D'Angelo Brewer leads the AAC, averaging 110 yards per game.
The Line: No line
The Pick: Tulsa
USF (2-0) at Syracuse (1-1)
3:30 p.m., ESPN3
The Buzz: A former BIG EAST matchup, USF leads the all-time series 7-2 including a 45-24 last year in Tampa. USF has never lost a game in the Carrier Dome, which is not air conditioned despite its namesake. USF beat Northern Illinois 48-17 last week and is averaging 551 yards of total offense through two games. RB Marlon Mack did not play against NIU (concussion), but is expected to return this week.
Syracuse is coached by Dino Babers, formerly of Bowling Green. Babers interviewed for the UCF job. The Orange beat FCS Colgate in the opening week, then got manhandled by Louisville 62-28 last Friday night. They do sling it around as their 365-yard passing average ranks second in the ACC after two games. They run it at a fast tempo too, averaging 87 plays per game.
The Line: USF by 14.5
The Pick: USF
FIU (0-2) at UMass (0-2)
3:30 p.m., ESPN3
The Buzz: FIU is 0-2 after opening the season with two consecutive home games against Big Ten foes, Indiana (34-13) and Maryland (41-14). QB Alex McGough is completing 50 percent of his passes for 302 overall yards. Two running backs, Alex Gardner and Anthony Jones, have seen the bulk of carries. WR Jonnu Smith has 13 catches for 153 yards.
UMass meanwhile has competed a little better in their first two games, losses to Florida (24-7) and Boston College (26-7). Against UF, the Minutemen trailed just 10-7 going into the fourth quarter before the Gators scored two late touchdowns to pull away.
The Line: FIU by 1
The Pick: UMass
East Carolina (2-0) at South Carolina (1-1, 1-1 SEC)
4 p.m., SEC Network
The Buzz: A team that was expected to struggle in the first season under Scottie Montgomery, East Carolina turned some heads with a 33-30 win against NC State last weekend. That shouldn't come as a total surprise as ECU has six straight games against ACC foes. QB Philip Nelson has completed 81.3 percent of his passes for 695 yards and six touchdowns with one interception. QB James Summers, who also sees action, is more of the running thread, with 136 yards rushing and two TDs.
South Carolina, in the first season under former Florida coach Will Muschamp, opened the year with two SEC games, losing a 27-14 game at Mississippi State after winning a narrow 13-10 decision at Vanderbilt. USC has played two QBs, Perry Orth and Brandon McIlwain.
The Line: South Carolina by 3
The Pick: East Carolina
Maryland (2-0) at UCF (1-1)
7 p.m., CBS Sports Network
The Buzz: First meeting between the two schools. For UCF, it's the second consecutive game against a Big Ten team are losing 51-14 to Michigan in the Big House last week. For Maryland, their second straight game in Florida after visiting FIU last Friday and leaving with a 41-14 win. Each school features a first-year coach in Scott Frost (UCF) and D.J. Durkin (Maryland).
Maryland QB Perry Hills has completed 27 of 37 passes for 336 yards and three touchdowns (no picks) through two games. The star of the offense has been WR D.J. Moore, who leads the team with 10 catches for 184 yards and two touchdowns.
UCF has a question mark at quarterback after starter Justin Holman left the Michigan game with a hamstring injury. The offense struggled against Michigan, though a bright spot was the 87-yard touchdown run by freshman RB Adrian Killins. WR Tre'Quan Smith leads the team with four receptions for 65 yards and a score, but did not log a reception in the Michigan game. Linebackers Chequan Burkett and Mark Rucker both lead the team with 14 tackles each.
The Line: Maryland by 9
The Pick: UCF
Liberty (1-1) at SMU (1-1)
7 p.m., ESPN3
The Buzz: Going into halftime last week, SMU was tied with Baylor 6-6 but the Bears came out firing in the second half, eventually winning 40-13. SMU QB Matt Davis tore his ACL in the first game, a win against North Texas, and is out for the season. Freshman Ben Hicks, who took over as starter, struggled against Baylor, completing 17-of-44 passes for 229 yards, one touchdowns and three interceptions, two of which came in the end zone. WR Courtland Sutton is averaging 137.0 receiving yards, good for fourth in the nation.
FCS Liberty beat Jacksonville 55-7 last week after losing at Virginia Tech 36-13 to start the year. Turner Gill's team has some talent. If SMU's offense struggles, the upset potential is certainly there.
The Line: No line
The Pick: Liberty
Navy (2-0, 1-0 AAC) at Tulane (1-1)
7 p.m., ASN / ESPN3
The Buzz: Navy won last year's game in Annapolis, 31-14. The Midshipmen are the only undefeated team in conference play having defeated UConn 28-24 last week. QB Will Worth is their new starter after QB Tago Smith was lost for the season with an ACL injury. FB Chris High leads Navy with 212 rushing yards and three TDs on 17 carries.
Tulane, who lost a 7-3 decision at Wake Forest to open the year, crushed FCS Southern last week 66-21. The Green Wave had 437 rushing yards in the game. The big rushing numbers has elevated Tulane to 10th nationally in rushing yards.
The Line: Navy by 6
The Pick: Navy
