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By Craig Smoak
July 11, 2023
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Big 12 Media Days have arrived, and the event will be historic for the league, as four teams eagerly make their way in and two impatiently maneuver their way out, in the process, creating a one-time-only 14-team lineup in 2023.
Counting down the days until Arlington and Commissioner Brett Yormark's opening address, I'll provide a capsule for all fourteen programs to refresh memories and brush up on what to know as we approach an all-time unique season for the Big 12 record books.
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Chapter 12 (of 14) UCF | TECH | KSU | TEX | TCU | OSU | OU | KU| ISU | HOU | CIN | BYU
UCF kicks off its first year in the Big 12 after spending the past decade as a member of the American Athletic Conference, where they won four total AAC titles. They fell just short of a fifth last year, losing to Cotton Bowl champ Tulane in the AAC title game and then closing with a loss to Duke in the Military Bowl.
Head coach Gus Malzahn now enters year three in Orlando, following back-to-back nine-win seasons — the present don in a growing line of successful coaches at the school.
The program only started playing D-I in 1996, but by year three, they were winning nine games with Daunte Culpepper at QB.
George O'Leary would take over as head coach of the program in the 2000s and win ten or more four times over 13 seasons — including their first bowl game, bowl win, Fiesta Bowl win, and conference title in CUSA.
O'Leary's replacement, Scott Frost, went 6-7 originally and then reached the program's high point with a 13-0 follow-up, beating a Malzahn-led Auburn in the Peach Bowl and claiming a mythical National Championship.
Frost would leave for Nebraska, and UCF would hire Josh Heupel, who promptly went 12-1, 10-3, and then 6-4 in the COVID year before leaving for Tennessee and opening the door to Malzahn's hiring.
So, they've shown an affinity for hiring good coaches and winning despite changes. The keyword here is potential, and it's easy to see.
The Storylines
John Rhys Plumlee - The Knights' QB1 is the current face of the program and a dangerous running threat after going for 11 touchdowns and nearly 900 yards on the ground a year ago. The passing game needs more polish, but he threw for over 2,500 yards, a 60+% completion rate, with a 14:8 TD-to-Int ratio. They have some capable players at the skill spots, so a lot will depend on new OC Darin Hinshaw and how quickly transfers help offset losing 3/5 starting offensive linemen.
New DC - The Knights have a new OC and DC, but the offense is less of a concern, given Malzahn's pedigree. Defensively, they promoted DB coach Addison Williams. He's another up-and-comer, but there's a lot of work to do in all areas, from talent to scheme to performance. That's the potential Achilles heel of this team.
Bounce House - The Big 12 is losing some big home fields in OU and Texas, BUT while UCF's stadium isn't the biggest, it does have a reputation for being a pest of an away venue and, for the Knights, a true home-field advantage.
The Games
Do They Play Baylor? - YES, the Bears and Knights will clash in Orlando on September 30 in the school's long-awaited Big 12 home opener. It will be the first and only time these two have played outside of the 2013 Fiesta Bowl, which each school remembers for entirely different reasons. This year marks the 10th anniversary, so there will be some callbacks if you attend. And that kind of spirit is college football. The win over Baylor was a defining achievement and moment for the program.
Biggest Game(s) - Oklahoma, as the Knights will travel to Norman for the Dillon Gabriel Bowl on October 21. The two schools have never played before, and it may be a while before they play again. Elsewhere, UCF's first official conference game will be at Kansas State. So, there’s a little baptism by fire. The Sunflower Showdown at KU in late November could be interesting if both schools live up to or surpass expectations.
Non-Con - The Knights' non-con feature attraction is a trip to Boise State. Interesting timing, given the Broncos know all too well what it's like to want a Power 5 invitation, except they're still waiting. That's not a layup.
The Expectations
All four new schools must adjust, but the Knights have loads of potential and a manageable schedule. Plus, a proven head coach and a returning playmaker at QB. That's why they're the favorite of the four newcomers to succeed early on.
Expecting to make an eighth straight bowl game seems more than reasonable, and it would be a letdown to see that streak broken. A 7-8 win season would be an excellent start to the schools' Big 12 tenure.
What UCF Brings to Big 12 Football in 2023
By Craig Smoak
July 11, 2023
348
0
Tweet
Share
Big 12 Media Days have arrived, and the event will be historic for the league, as four teams eagerly make their way in and two impatiently maneuver their way out, in the process, creating a one-time-only 14-team lineup in 2023.
Counting down the days until Arlington and Commissioner Brett Yormark's opening address, I'll provide a capsule for all fourteen programs to refresh memories and brush up on what to know as we approach an all-time unique season for the Big 12 record books.
Get Sic’Em365 Premium for a whole year for just $15!
Chapter 12 (of 14) UCF | TECH | KSU | TEX | TCU | OSU | OU | KU| ISU | HOU | CIN | BYU
UCF KNIGHTS
The BasicsUCF kicks off its first year in the Big 12 after spending the past decade as a member of the American Athletic Conference, where they won four total AAC titles. They fell just short of a fifth last year, losing to Cotton Bowl champ Tulane in the AAC title game and then closing with a loss to Duke in the Military Bowl.
Head coach Gus Malzahn now enters year three in Orlando, following back-to-back nine-win seasons — the present don in a growing line of successful coaches at the school.
The program only started playing D-I in 1996, but by year three, they were winning nine games with Daunte Culpepper at QB.
George O'Leary would take over as head coach of the program in the 2000s and win ten or more four times over 13 seasons — including their first bowl game, bowl win, Fiesta Bowl win, and conference title in CUSA.
O'Leary's replacement, Scott Frost, went 6-7 originally and then reached the program's high point with a 13-0 follow-up, beating a Malzahn-led Auburn in the Peach Bowl and claiming a mythical National Championship.
Frost would leave for Nebraska, and UCF would hire Josh Heupel, who promptly went 12-1, 10-3, and then 6-4 in the COVID year before leaving for Tennessee and opening the door to Malzahn's hiring.
So, they've shown an affinity for hiring good coaches and winning despite changes. The keyword here is potential, and it's easy to see.
The Storylines
John Rhys Plumlee - The Knights' QB1 is the current face of the program and a dangerous running threat after going for 11 touchdowns and nearly 900 yards on the ground a year ago. The passing game needs more polish, but he threw for over 2,500 yards, a 60+% completion rate, with a 14:8 TD-to-Int ratio. They have some capable players at the skill spots, so a lot will depend on new OC Darin Hinshaw and how quickly transfers help offset losing 3/5 starting offensive linemen.
New DC - The Knights have a new OC and DC, but the offense is less of a concern, given Malzahn's pedigree. Defensively, they promoted DB coach Addison Williams. He's another up-and-comer, but there's a lot of work to do in all areas, from talent to scheme to performance. That's the potential Achilles heel of this team.
Bounce House - The Big 12 is losing some big home fields in OU and Texas, BUT while UCF's stadium isn't the biggest, it does have a reputation for being a pest of an away venue and, for the Knights, a true home-field advantage.
The Games
Do They Play Baylor? - YES, the Bears and Knights will clash in Orlando on September 30 in the school's long-awaited Big 12 home opener. It will be the first and only time these two have played outside of the 2013 Fiesta Bowl, which each school remembers for entirely different reasons. This year marks the 10th anniversary, so there will be some callbacks if you attend. And that kind of spirit is college football. The win over Baylor was a defining achievement and moment for the program.
Biggest Game(s) - Oklahoma, as the Knights will travel to Norman for the Dillon Gabriel Bowl on October 21. The two schools have never played before, and it may be a while before they play again. Elsewhere, UCF's first official conference game will be at Kansas State. So, there’s a little baptism by fire. The Sunflower Showdown at KU in late November could be interesting if both schools live up to or surpass expectations.
Non-Con - The Knights' non-con feature attraction is a trip to Boise State. Interesting timing, given the Broncos know all too well what it's like to want a Power 5 invitation, except they're still waiting. That's not a layup.
The Expectations
All four new schools must adjust, but the Knights have loads of potential and a manageable schedule. Plus, a proven head coach and a returning playmaker at QB. That's why they're the favorite of the four newcomers to succeed early on.
Expecting to make an eighth straight bowl game seems more than reasonable, and it would be a letdown to see that streak broken. A 7-8 win season would be an excellent start to the schools' Big 12 tenure.
