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Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
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CoachFickFan Offline
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Post: #21
RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
Ranked Football Teams Visiting Nippert Stadium Through 1986

Friday night, our Bearcats host #18 UCF. When UC hosts ranked teams it is always exciting.
Bearcats have had amazing success against ranked football teams.
For example, from 1999 through 2008, Bearcats won six of eight games against ranked teams in Nippert!
Most Exciting Game: Kansas State 1995.
Most underated Bearcat team: against #1 Miami FL 1986.
Note: This list ends at 1986, because I am still watching the full Miami FL 1986 game on youtube!

Key:
Season, Bearcats record, conference
Opponent, ranking, score, conference
Notes.

2017 UC 3-8 AAC
L 25th UCF 51-23 (AAC)
Unbeaten UCF is NCAA co-champion.

2016 UC 3-8
L 6th Houston 40-16 (AAC)
Greg Ward Jr led the game in passing and rushing.

2013 12-1
L 19th Louisville 31-24 OT1 (AAC)
Teddy Bridgewater threw two crazy 4th quarter TDs.
K Tony Miliano snuck ball inside L goal post to tie the game with 7 seconds left in reg.
Limping QB Brendon Kay had two dropped passes in OT.
Last game between UC and UL out of 53 in series. UC owns the series with 30 wins 22 loses one tie.
But somewhere in Louisville there are still two “Keg of Nails” trophies.
Full game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XM3zzKWrmI
November 16, 2019, the Bearcats match up again with Coach Charlie Strong in Tampa's RayJay Stadium.
That is, if Coach Strong is still HC of USF!

2012 10-3
L 22nd Rutgers 10-3 (BigEast)
Last time that Rutgers won 9 games in season. Bearcats in 4-way
5-2 Big East Conference tie. Butch Jones left two games later for Tenn.
This year, the HCs Butch Jones and Kyle Flood are both offensive coaches at Alabama.

2008 10-3 BigEast
W 24th USF 24-10 (BigEast)
Mardy Gilyard and Connor Barwin (he was a TE) both caught TDs from Tony Pike.

2008 10-3 Big East
W 20th Pitt 28-21 (BigEast)
Pitt’s RB Shady McCoy opened with a TD run.
Next, Tony Pike threw TD passes to Bones Barnett, Goody Goodman and Mardy Gilyard. Game over. Everyone jumps on the field. But not too soon, thank you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76Q1Pm5pmN8
The River Trophy stays in Natti, but the goalposts went down.
Here is the full 2009 Pike to Binns game. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fr-gCnQm_74

2007 10-3
W 16th UConn 27-3 (BigEast)
That’s when UConn had a team and a conference. They still had Randy Edsall and RB Donald Brown.
Bearcats had QB Ben Mauk (the first Bearcat Grad Transfer), who had his passing arm smashed years earlier
playing for Wake Forest. Often Mauk could not throw the football during the week! Before the game started
HC Brian Kelly had to keep a eye on Mauk just to see if he could throw anything. One game in 2007, he couldn't, so
he didn't play. Mauk only played one season for the Bearcats, but did not play in 2018 because he couldn't get a waiver.

2007 10-3 BigEast
L #5 West Virginia 28-23 (BigEast)
Bearcats were ranked #21.
Ben Mauk threw two TDs to Bones Barnett.
Fulll game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TxpK65RxOw

2006 8-5
W 7th Rutgers 30-11 (BigEast)
Greg Schiano was choppin’ wood, but Rutgers did win their first bowl game ever that season.
Of course, right now, Rutgers needs a new coach. Schiano is the favorite.
Little used Sr QB JUCO transfer Nick Davila was the star for the Bearcats.

2005 4-7 Big East
L West Virginia 38-0 (BigEast)
On a cold Wednesday night, Pat White, Steve Slaton and Rich Rodriquez had a big night.

2000 7-5 C-USA
W 24th Southern Miss 27-24 (C-USA)
QB Deontey Kenner had a decent night in a C-USA match-up,
Rick Minter led Bearcats to only their 2nd bowl game.

1999 3-8 C-USA
W 9th Wisconsin 17-12 (Big10)
A red-zone fumble, muffed punt, and touchdown-negating penalty in last 8 mins for Whisky,
but Ron Dayne had 231 rushing years, setting Big10 career rushing record.
Week before, UC lost to D1-AA Troy State.

1997 8-4 C-USA
L 24th Southern Miss 24-17 (CUSA)
Rick Minter took UC to first bowl in 47 years, playing on the frozen Smurf Turf in the Humanitarian Bowl.

1995 6-5
L 21st Kansas State 23-21 (Big 8)
KSU took a 17-14 lead with a Miller to Lockett 28 yard pass with 4:24 to go.
Bearcats QB Eric Vibberts threw a go-ahead TD to Robert Tate with 44 seconds left.
KSU won with a 21 yard TD with no time remaining!
Watch the ending and weep! If the Bearcats had won, they probably go to their first bowl game.
KSU finished 5th in the country. The next week, Bearcats won at 10-2 VaTech.
The ending: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_mf4Mrbwo8

1992 3-8 Ind
L 8th Penn State 24-20 (Ind)
Penn State “staggered away with a victory” in the first game of the 1992 season,
according to the Baltimore Sun https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm...story.html
The year before Penn State won 81-0.

1991 4-7 Ind
L 13th East Carolina 30-19 (Ind)
Paul Brown probably saw this game, because, the Bearcats sacked future Bengal QB Jeff Blake for a safety with 4:42 left in the game to get within range of ECU (21-19). UC FR RB David Small had his 6th 100 yard rushing game that season. ECU finished 11-1 with a Peach Bowl win.

1990 1-10 Ind
L 25th Louisville 41-16 (Ind)
Paul Anderson and Terry Strong led the Bearcats in Tim Murphy’s 3nd year.

1986 5-6 Ind.
L 1st Miami (FL) 45-13 (Ind)
QBs Danny McCoin vs Vinny Testaverde (one earned the Heisman that year).
Reggie Taylor rushed for 1628 years in his last Bearcat year; 5018 years in his UC career.
Full game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sibWC3UFM9M&t=48s
Jimmy Johnson was Canes HC. Dave Wannstedt was DC and a Canes Grad Assistant was named Tommy Tuberville. Bearcats had a skinny DB from Ashtabula, OH HS named Urban Meyer.
HC Dave Curry (5-6) had a talented team in 1986. This Bearcat team fought to the bitter end.
After watching this game I have a lot more respect for Coach Curry and his Bearcat teams.
 
(This post was last modified: 10-01-2019 02:07 PM by CoachFickFan.)
10-01-2019 12:42 PM
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UCGrad1992 Offline
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Post: #22
RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
UCF game week comments from Coach's presser today...


 
10-01-2019 03:45 PM
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DownOnRohs Offline
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Post: #23
RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
That better be the real presser or i'm gonna tweet angrily at UC
 
10-01-2019 04:17 PM
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Sweetness Offline
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Post: #24
RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
(10-01-2019 12:42 PM)CoachFickFan Wrote:  Ranked Football Teams Visiting Nippert Stadium Through 1986

Friday night, our Bearcats host #18 UCF. When UC hosts ranked teams it is always exciting.
Bearcats have had amazing success against ranked football teams.
For example, from 1999 through 2008, Bearcats won six of eight games against ranked teams in Nippert!
Most Exciting Game: Kansas State 1995.
Most underated Bearcat team: against #1 Miami FL 1986.
Note: This list ends at 1986, because I am still watching the full Miami FL 1986 game on youtube!

Good list! Just wanted to point out in 2009 we also played ranked West Virginia in Nippert and won. Looking back on that year, we played 4 ranked teams during the regular season and won them all. Three of those four were on the road.
 
(This post was last modified: 10-01-2019 05:14 PM by Sweetness.)
10-01-2019 04:17 PM
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bearcatmark Offline
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Post: #25
RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
(10-01-2019 04:17 PM)Sweetness Wrote:  
(10-01-2019 12:42 PM)CoachFickFan Wrote:  Ranked Football Teams Visiting Nippert Stadium Through 1986

Friday night, our Bearcats host #18 UCF. When UC hosts ranked teams it is always exciting.
Bearcats have had amazing success against ranked football teams.
For example, from 1999 through 2008, Bearcats won six of eight games against ranked teams in Nippert!
Most Exciting Game: Kansas State 1995.
Most underated Bearcat team: against #1 Miami FL 1986.
Note: This list ends at 1986, because I am still watching the full Miami FL 1986 game on youtube!

Good list! Just wanted to point out on 2009 we also play ranked West Virginia in Nippert and one. Looking back on that year, we played 4 ranked teams during the regular season and won them all. Three of those four were on the road.

2009 was incredible. We ran the table in the the #2 ranked conference (according to Sagarin).
 
10-01-2019 04:29 PM
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UCGrad1992 Offline
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RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
Wimbush playing at WR, penalties, and other UCF news from the Orlando Sentinel...

Quote:With true freshman Dillon Gabriel set as the starter and with the return of redshirt sophomore Darriel Mack Jr. from an ankle injury, UCF suddenly has an embarrassment of riches at the quarterback position.

So when Notre Dame graduate transfer Brandon Wimbush was seen working out with the wide receivers during pre-game warm-ups during the past two weeks, it may have been an indication coaches are searching for another way to get the fifth-year senior on the field.

“Yeah, he’s got the ability to play out there, too,” UCF coach Josh Heupel said when asked whether Wimbush could line up at another position besides quarterback, including wide receiver.

Heupel has been reluctant to elaborate on the status of his crowded quarterbacks room, preferring to praise the players’ team-first mentality and discuss performances rather than who will be getting game-day snaps.

Early prep for Cincy

UCF (4-1, 1-0 AAC) got an early start on preparations for its matchup with Cincinnati (3-1, 0-0 AAC) on Friday that kicks off at 8 p.m. and airs on ESPN. The coaches spent Sunday breaking down the team’s win over UConn while players studied video of the Bearcats.

“To me, players miss their off day,” Heupel said of the challenges of playing on Friday instead of Saturday. “For them, all that’s happened is the week has moved up a day. Their off day will be on the back end of this week. For coaches, you have to stay a little bit later and come in a little bit earlier to get all of your game prep ready.”

UCF linebacker Nate Evans said the team must remain focused going into this week.

“We can’t let our guard down and go into this week lackadaisical and not have our intensity high just because we have a game [Friday],” Evans said. “Don’t change your preparation; everybody run to the ball and communicate and we’ll be good.”

UCF tailback Greg McCrae added, “The preparation doesn’t change. Yes, it’s a short week but we all knew the schedule ahead of time and we made the appropriate changes."

Penalties a concern

UCF was flagged a season-high 11 times for a loss of 90 yards against UConn on Saturday. It was the most penalties in a game since the Knights were penalized 12 times against LSU in the Fiesta Bowl.

“The last two weeks, that hasn’t been us,” Heupel said. “We need to play smart and not put ourselves in bad situations.

“Some playing penalties are going to happen. You can handle that. You want your kids to be aggressive and you don’t want to take away that demeanor from them. It’s the pre- and post-snap stuff that kills you."

Defensive coordinator Randy Shannon said he is not worried about penalties.

“Penalties come when guys play hard and physical,” he said. "Mental penalties are the ones when they jump offsides and they learn from that, so we have to move forward.”

UCF is averaging 7.6 penalties for a loss of 71.2 yards per game, which is a tick above last season when the team averaged 7.5 penalties for a loss of 65.2 yards per game.

Etc.

— Safety Richie Grant should be back in the lineup this week against the Bearcats.

“Yeah, he could have played Saturday,” Heupel said of the redshirt junior. “He suited up and warmed up.”

Derek Gainous got his first career start instead.

— Sophomore defensive tackle Randy Charlton, who also missed the game against the Huskies, could also return this week.

“I believe Randy will be back," Heupel said.

— Junior receiver Gabriel Davis earned a spot on the American Athletic Conference’s weekly football honor roll after recording five catches for 119 yards and three touchdowns during UCF’s win over UConn. He joins quarterback Gabriel, linebacker Eric Mitchell and running back Otis Anderson as the only Knights named to the honor roll this season.

Orlando Sentinel Article
 
10-02-2019 08:51 AM
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Cataclysmo Offline
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Post: #27
RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
(10-01-2019 12:42 PM)CoachFickFan Wrote:  1986 5-6 Ind.
L 1st Miami (FL) 45-13 (Ind)
QBs Danny McCoin vs Vinny Testaverde (one earned the Heisman that year).
Reggie Taylor rushed for 1628 years in his last Bearcat year; 5018 years in his UC career.
Full game: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sibWC3UFM9M&t=48s
Jimmy Johnson was Canes HC. Dave Wannstedt was DC and a Canes Grad Assistant was named Tommy Tuberville. Bearcats had a skinny DB from Ashtabula, OH HS named Urban Meyer.
HC Dave Curry (5-6) had a talented team in 1986. This Bearcat team fought to the bitter end.
After watching this game I have a lot more respect for Coach Curry and his Bearcat teams.


Wow, talk about some talent on that field. Chuck Pagano was also a grad assistant for the U.
 
(This post was last modified: 10-02-2019 09:38 AM by Cataclysmo.)
10-02-2019 09:37 AM
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doss2 Offline
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Post: #28
RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
There are a good number of Club seats available at only $300 each 02-13-banana
 
10-02-2019 05:36 PM
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UCGrad1992 Offline
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Post: #29
RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
Here's a breakdown of UCF opponents already played:

Florida A&M W 62-0
@ Florida Atlantic [3-2] W 48-14
Stanford [2-3] W 45-27
@ Pitt [3-2] L 34-35
UConn [1-3] W 56-21

I know we haven't played anyone tough outside of Ohio State but UCF hasn't exactly played a jauggernaut of a schedule thus far either. Wins over an FCS team, a pitiful UConn and a meh P12 team at home give insight that this is not the UCF of past years.
 
10-02-2019 07:19 PM
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UCGrad1992 Offline
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RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
Good article on the game from Down The Drive:

Quote:Cincinnati’s Struggles vs Ranked Teams
It’s rare that Cincinnati faces top 25 teams. The non-conference schedule does not often present elite matchups and AAC teams do not get the respect they deserve, so there is usually 1-2 teams ranked each year, which isn’t always in the AAC East, where Cincinnati resides. UCF enters Nippert Stadium ranked #18.

Bearcats have lost 12 in a row against top 25 teams, with the last victory coming in the famous Pitt victory to end the 2009 regular season. The last top 25 victory at Nippert Stadium came two weeks prior, against West Virginia.

Since 2010, the Bearcats have lost to Oklahoma (2010), @ Louisville (2012), Rutgers (2012), Louisville (2013), @ Ohio State (2014), @ Houston (2015), Houston (2016), @ Michigan (2017), @ USF (2017), UCF (2017), @ UCF (2018), @ Ohio State (2019).

UCF’s Streaks
Unfortunately for Cincinnati, UCF’s regular season winning streak ended two weeks ago at Pittsburgh (27 straight wins).

UCF has won 18 straight AAC games and have won 29 out of 31 games overall, which is still quite an amazing run over the last two plus years.

UCF has won 3 in a row vs Cincinnati - 24-3 in 2016, 51-23 in 2017, and 38-13 in 2018. More to come later this week on the history between these two teams. Cincinnati’s only win vs UCF was during the Knights’ 0-12 season in 2015, which was the first meeting between the two.

UCF has been ranked in the Top 25 for 33 straight weeks.

Nippert Stadium
There is nothing in college football quite like #NippAtNight. Some stadiums might be bigger and louder, but the experience of being underground, so close to the action is incredible. During this run by UCF, they have not faced any type of atmosphere or environment anywhere close to Nippert Stadium. Sure, they blew out the Bearcats at night in 2017, but that was during a down period where optimism and hope was low.

Speaking of streaks, Cincinnati has won 9 in a row at Nippert Stadium entering Friday (2017 finale vs UConn, 6-0 in 2018, and UCLA and Miami in 2019).

AAC Championship
As the legendary wrestler Ric Flair used to say - “to be the man, you have to beat the man”. There’s no doubt that UCF is the man. The only way Cincinnati can win the AAC East and make their first AAC Championship game, is by beating UCF. Plain and simple.

There really aren’t any other contenders in the East. USF, UConn, and ECU all stink. Temple has been up-and-down, beating Maryland and a bad Georgia Tech team, but losing to Buffalo.

A win on Friday would set the Bearcats up for an opportunity to make a run at a Cotton Bowl bid. The highest ranked championship team from the AAC, MWC, Sun Belt, C-USA, MAC gets to represent the “Group of Five” in one of the New Year’s Six bowl games. UCF has played in this game the last two years, beating Auburn in the 2018 Peach Bowl and losing to LSU in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl.

If Cincinnati does not make the Cotton Bowl, they would likely settle for the Birmingham Bowl or Gasparilla Bowl. Quite the disappointment in both name and geographic location.

Respect
Most fans and media folks dislike UCF for their abrasiveness and how they have acted the last couple of years. Specifically with the self-proclaimed 2017 National Championship. And the constant (but warranted) Playoffs chatter.

A win by Cincinnati won’t be as meaningful as it would have been a few weeks ago, thanks to the Knights loss to Pitt, but folks will still give Cincinnati a ton of credit and respect for beating a good UCF team. Fans all over college football would be thrilled to see UCF fall once more, and lose their spot at the top of the Group of Five.

At the end of the day, wins and losses mean more to most people than perception, but the Bearcats could become the new fan favorite underdog team of college football by taking care of business. It would be a program-changing win and put Cincinnati football back on the national radar.

Damn't we need to win this game!
 
10-02-2019 08:39 PM
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OKIcat Offline
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Post: #31
RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
I'll be there.

And I'll add this disclaimer to this post, "I hope I'm wrong". But I don't believe this UC team is demonstrably better than last year's team. And I don't believe UCF is demonstrably worse than the team that beat UC 38-13 in Orlando. That score is fairly consistent with the way they've beaten opponents again this season.

They are undervalued by media and also by college football fans. Their speed on offense and defense compares favorably with those Miami national championship teams of old. Had the old Big East and the BCS 6 conference alignment survived, the Knights would be getting lots more love than the American earns.

So how do we explain the Pitt loss? UCF was a 16.5 point favorite as I recall, coming off a convincing win over Stanford. I watched part of that game and my impression was that UCF just wasn't ready to play that day. Pitt's defense was very tough but UCF made a few mistakes that cost them a close win. There's a reason games such as this are labeled as upsets.

No question Nip @ night is a big factor. Is it big enough to make up the 25 point difference from last year's game? I hope so; but I don't believe so.
 
10-03-2019 07:32 AM
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RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
(10-03-2019 07:32 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  I'll be there.

And I'll add this disclaimer to this post, "I hope I'm wrong". But I don't believe this UC team is demonstrably better than last year's team. And I don't believe UCF is demonstrably worse than the team that beat UC 38-13 in Orlando. That score is fairly consistent with the way they've beaten opponents again this season.

They are undervalued by media and also by college football fans. Their speed on offense and defense compares favorably with those Miami national championship teams of old. Had the old Big East and the BCS 6 conference alignment survived, the Knights would be getting lots more love than the American earns.

So how do we explain the Pitt loss? UCF was a 16.5 point favorite as I recall, coming off a convincing win over Stanford. I watched part of that game and my impression was that UCF just wasn't ready to play that day. Pitt's defense was very tough but UCF made a few mistakes that cost them a close win. There's a reason games such as this are labeled as upsets.

No question Nip @ night is a big factor. Is it big enough to make up the 25 point difference from last year's game? I hope so; but I don't believe so.

The Pitt loss is being over analyzed to death, IMO. Here's why we came up short: came out sluggish and got into a 21-0 hole, Pitt came out playing like it was their Super Bowl, they pulled out every trick play they had, and we spotted them another TD by a really bad punt block. We also, literally, had 3 TDs in the endzone that didn't result in a score because a WR had a toe barely on the line.

Pitt is also a pretty damn good team. They have the best defense we'll see by a mile and held the Penn State offense to 17 points a week before UCF. Pitt arguably should have beaten PSU if their coach didn't go stupid.

If anything that loss probably helped assure they come prepared for Cincy.

See ya'll tomorrow.
 
10-03-2019 08:02 AM
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RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
(10-03-2019 07:32 AM)OKIcat Wrote:  But I don't believe this UC team is demonstrably better than last year's team. And I don't believe UCF is demonstrably worse than the team that beat UC 38-13 in Orlando. That score is fairly consistent with the way they've beaten opponents again this season.

IMO, the jury is still out on whether or not we're demonstrably better. I believe we are better than last year because we are one more year under the same coaching system, and most importantly, Ridder is one more year along in his development. The defense hasn't dropped off and special teams have improved so far. You can't argue UCF is the same without Milton at the helm. That's not to say they can't be successful or still challenge for the AAC title. Like I posted above, neither team has beaten anyone of real strength thus far so this game will be a good barometer moving forward. We're overdue to win on the big stage and this is at home on a Friday night. I like our chances to pull off the upset. If we lose, I don't see it by a large margin - we're 4 point dogs for a reason. Coach Fick and the staff will have the team prepared and ready to go.
 
10-03-2019 08:47 AM
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RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
A few things. I think Cincinnati is better than last year. I think the defense is better despite the departures on the line and the Wiggins injury. There is just so much talent on that side, they are a year older, and the defensive line depth has really come along. I think the offense will ultimately be better because they are more experienced and better across the board (except for offensive line). Offensive line is still the big hole on this team and the area that concerns me most, though I don't think UCF is as good on their defensive line this year.

As for UCF...they are still really good. Probably top 15 good, but not as good as last year when Milton was healthy. I don't think their offensive line is quite as good. I think Pitt showed that when under duress Gabriel can be forced into some bad decisions and taking sacks. He doesn't buy time like Milton did and hasn't shown Milton's adaptability when things break down. However, if Gabriel gets a clean pocket the UCF offense is every bit as explosive and dominant as last year. He's been pretty great overall. What is underrated about UCF is their running game. They hit you with multiple backs, that have different strengths, but all have an ability to make explosive plays. They are damn good.

If UC is top 25 good they should win this game...at home, at night at Nippert. If they are just top 40-50 they'll probably lose. If they are a 26-40 type team it could go either way. I see them as a borderline top 25 type team right now. I think Nippert at night gives them a slight edge in the game, BUT they have to score. They aren't holding UCF to 20 points. If they hold them around 30 they have a shot, but that means they need to score 30+ of their own. Big ask, but doable with this team. I'm stoked. Should be an awesome atmosphere.

My prediction:
Bearcats 33
UCF 30
 
10-03-2019 09:35 AM
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Post: #35
RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
If Pitt beat them, we can beat them.

Pitt could barely beat Delaware. Don't give me this "Pitt was sluggish" BS. It's freaking Delaware.
 
10-03-2019 12:34 PM
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RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
(10-03-2019 09:35 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  A few things. I think Cincinnati is better than last year. I think the defense is better despite the departures on the line and the Wiggins injury. There is just so much talent on that side, they are a year older, and the defensive line depth has really come along. I think the offense will ultimately be better because they are more experienced and better across the board (except for offensive line). Offensive line is still the big hole on this team and the area that concerns me most, though I don't think UCF is as good on their defensive line this year.

As for UCF...they are still really good. Probably top 15 good, but not as good as last year when Milton was healthy. I don't think their offensive line is quite as good. I think Pitt showed that when under duress Gabriel can be forced into some bad decisions and taking sacks. He doesn't buy time like Milton did and hasn't shown Milton's adaptability when things break down. However, if Gabriel gets a clean pocket the UCF offense is every bit as explosive and dominant as last year. He's been pretty great overall. What is underrated about UCF is their running game. They hit you with multiple backs, that have different strengths, but all have an ability to make explosive plays. They are damn good.

If UC is top 25 good they should win this game...at home, at night at Nippert. If they are just top 40-50 they'll probably lose. If they are a 26-40 type team it could go either way. I see them as a borderline top 25 type team right now. I think Nippert at night gives them a slight edge in the game, BUT they have to score. They aren't holding UCF to 20 points. If they hold them around 30 they have a shot, but that means they need to score 30+ of their own. Big ask, but doable with this team. I'm stoked. Should be an awesome atmosphere.

My prediction:
Bearcats 33
UCF 30

OL is definitely nowhere near as good as last year and I just don’t think the secondary holds up against UCF. If we do not have the game plan or horses to pressure Gabriel nonstop like Pitt did all game, this could easily resemble last year.

Perhaps being on the road for Gabriel is an issue like it was a Pitt. Looking forward to it but until this staff shows they can manage one of these mega national showcase matchups I’m going to limit my expectations accordingly. Hope I am way wrong.
 
10-03-2019 12:46 PM
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UCGrad1992 Offline
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RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
I certainly don't want to undervalue UCF or make light of the challenge they pose to our team. That said, do we view UCF in the upper tier of teams that includes Ohio State? No. Is there as big a disparity between us and #18? I don't think so. If we didn't play Ohio State this year we'd probably be ranked or just outside the Top 25. I still believe it comes down to the play of Ridder. We'll go as far as he goes. That does give me pause that he hasn't played well overall against top competition or when the stage is fully lit. However, there is no time like the present to step up in a big game and get it done in Year 2 of his development. This could be a defining game for Ridder. He doesn't need to be a hero but play mistake free ball and make the right reads. All you can do is hope for the opportunity and we got it tomorrow night...please go jumbo jet ape s_hit Nip!
 
10-03-2019 02:23 PM
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RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
For those attending tomorrow night...
 
10-03-2019 02:32 PM
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RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
(10-03-2019 12:46 PM)rath v2.0 Wrote:  
(10-03-2019 09:35 AM)bearcatmark Wrote:  A few things. I think Cincinnati is better than last year. I think the defense is better despite the departures on the line and the Wiggins injury. There is just so much talent on that side, they are a year older, and the defensive line depth has really come along. I think the offense will ultimately be better because they are more experienced and better across the board (except for offensive line). Offensive line is still the big hole on this team and the area that concerns me most, though I don't think UCF is as good on their defensive line this year.

As for UCF...they are still really good. Probably top 15 good, but not as good as last year when Milton was healthy. I don't think their offensive line is quite as good. I think Pitt showed that when under duress Gabriel can be forced into some bad decisions and taking sacks. He doesn't buy time like Milton did and hasn't shown Milton's adaptability when things break down. However, if Gabriel gets a clean pocket the UCF offense is every bit as explosive and dominant as last year. He's been pretty great overall. What is underrated about UCF is their running game. They hit you with multiple backs, that have different strengths, but all have an ability to make explosive plays. They are damn good.

If UC is top 25 good they should win this game...at home, at night at Nippert. If they are just top 40-50 they'll probably lose. If they are a 26-40 type team it could go either way. I see them as a borderline top 25 type team right now. I think Nippert at night gives them a slight edge in the game, BUT they have to score. They aren't holding UCF to 20 points. If they hold them around 30 they have a shot, but that means they need to score 30+ of their own. Big ask, but doable with this team. I'm stoked. Should be an awesome atmosphere.

My prediction:
Bearcats 33
UCF 30

OL is definitely nowhere near as good as last year and I just don’t think the secondary holds up against UCF. If we do not have the game plan or horses to pressure Gabriel nonstop like Pitt did all game, this could easily resemble last year.

Perhaps being on the road for Gabriel is an issue like it was a Pitt. Looking forward to it but until this staff shows they can manage one of these mega national showcase matchups I’m going to limit my expectations accordingly. Hope I am way wrong.

Bolded, I have to think the Nip @ night will be a much tougher environment than Heinz in the afternoon. UCF won't encounter an environment quite like this the rest of the season.
 
10-03-2019 03:15 PM
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RE: Up Next: Friday Night Showdown #18 UCF
(10-03-2019 02:23 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote:  I certainly don't want to undervalue UCF or make light of the challenge they pose to our team. That said, do we view UCF in the upper tier of teams that includes Ohio State? No. Is there as big a disparity between us and #18? I don't think so. If we didn't play Ohio State this year we'd probably be ranked or just outside the Top 25. I still believe it comes down to the play of Ridder. We'll go as far as he goes. That does give me pause that he hasn't played well overall against top competition or when the stage is fully lit. However, there is no time like the present to step up in a big game and get it done in Year 2 of his development. This could be a defining game for Ridder. He doesn't need to be a hero but play mistake free ball and make the right reads. All you can do is hope for the opportunity and we got it tomorrow night...please go jumbo jet ape s_hit Nip!

UCF’s skill guys on the edge and on Special teams are as fast (perhaps faster) than Ohio State’s.

Their defensive front is long and really quick and can cause havoc while packing the line. Their OL is not protecting at an elite level but their speed and the playbook often makes up for it.

People who have not seen them much this year may be surprised at the speed difference that still appears to exist between the two rosters. They are faster now than they have been in the past 2 years IMO. They have a whole lot of guys Tre Tucker type of quick.

We are going to have to put a ton of pressure on them and we are probably going to have to score a bunch of points to win this game because they are going to get theirs.
 
10-03-2019 03:49 PM
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