The UCF Knights football team is operating under new management in 2025. Or, one could say former management.
After Gus Malzahn left the Knights as head coach to take over as offensive coordinator at Florida State, the Knights went back to one of the most successful coaches in their history — Scott Frost — to take over the program.
He was with UCF for just two seasons, but in his second campaign in 2017 he led the Knights to a 13-0 record, an American Athletic Conference title, a Peach Bowl victory and a No. 6 ranking in the final AP poll. The Colley Matrix even awarded them a national championship, which is recognized by the NCAA.
UCF went 4-8 and 2-7 in Big 12 play last season. It’s now up to Frost to rebuild the program he took to national prominence.
Lindy’s Sports recently published its preview for the Big 12, including the Knights. Heartland College Sports will weigh in with our previews later this summer.
The magazine picked UCF to finish 13th in the Big 12. Here are three thoughts on the preview.
NO QB, BIG PROBLEM
The Knights don’t have a holdover quarterback. But they have plenty of candidates via transfer — Indiana’s Tayven Jackson, Florida Atlantic’s Cam Fancher and Virginia Tech’s Davi Belfort.
There’s an old saying — if you have two quarterbacks, you have none. So, what happens when you have three quarterbacks that have yet to distinguish themselves yet? You have a potential mess.
Lindy’s pointed to Jackson as having the most upside and Fancher has more starting experience. Lindy’s also pointed out that there is a holdover — Jacurri Brown — but doesn’t seem to think he’s part of the race.
For now, the projected starting lineup includes Jackson. There will be plenty to decide at fall workouts.
FROM THE STUDS REBUILD
The Knights might win the competition for fewest returning starters in the Big 12. Lindy’s listed four — right tackle Paul Rubelt, defensive end Malachi Lawrence, defensive end Nyjalik Kelly and nickel back Brandon Marshall.
That’s rough. The defense took massive hits, either by transfer or graduation. The unit ranked fourth in the Big 12 in total defense and was No. 37 in the country.
Even in the transfer portal era, this is too much turnover to expect that much from UCF in Frost’s first year. It’s why Lindy’s has the Knights picked so low.
RANDOM MOMENTS OF OPTIMISM
That’s what Lindy’s called the upcoming season for UCF — “the Knights should at least have some random moments of optimism.”
Where will those random moments of optimism come from? Probably an early season win over North Carolina A&T. The Knights could take Jacksonville State in the opener, but WVU coach Rich Rodriguez left the Gamecocks in a good place.
In Big 12, target the Cincinnati and Houston games as UCF’s best shot at league wins. Only Houston is at home, though.
It was a preview dripping with pessimism.
You can find Matthew Postins on Twitter @PostinsPostcard.
