After weeks of speculation that the Knights could be headed to the Big East Conference, more big news has rolled in for the program- this time regarding their schedule.
The UCF football team, often criticized for its lack of strength in schedule, appears to have landed its most potent non-conference slate in program history, with matchups against the Ohio State Buckeyes and Oklahoma Sooners.
The Knights, who rarely play teams ranked in the top-25, have potentially added two perennial powerhouses to their 2012 schedule.
UCF has already agreed in princple to play Ohio State on the road next season, replacing the Knights game against Pittsburgh.
The Knights would travel to Columbus to play at “The Horseshoe” on Sept. 8 in one of their toughest road games in recent memory. The game will be the first ever between the two schools.
Now, UCF is reportedly close to signing a home and home series with Big 12 power Oklahoma, starting with the Sooners coming to Orlando next season. This would be the second Big 12 program to play at Bright House Networks Stadium, following the Texas Longhorns, who played the Knights in 2007 in UCF’s first ever game at the on-campus stadium. The then-ranked No. 6 Longhorns avoided a near upset and came away with a slim 35-32 victory in the game.
Oklahoma would likely replace Kansas State on the schedule, who has asked to buy out of the game, according to a report from UCFSports.com.
Despite the reports, UCF head coach George O’Leary still hasn’t 100 percent confirmed the deal yet.
“Kansas State is still on our schedule,” O’Leary said in a statement on UCFSports.com. “That’s the hold-up on everything. If West Virginia gets to the Big 12 next year, if Missouri leaves, they’re going to need (out of) a game one way or another. If those people stay, that game may not happen. That’s where we’ll need a game. But we’re talking to a number of people regarding that game. Oklahoma is one of them. But there’s nothing done yet right now, and it won’t be until I okay it.”
Still, this would give UCF an extremely competiive and exciting 2012 non-conference schedule, giving the Knights an opportunity to face two of college football’s big boys, as well as give the program a great chance to continue to gain national recognition.
If the Knights do host Oklahoma, expect one of the largest and most enthusiastic fan showings in UCF football history.
Keep checking back with KnightNews.com for updates on this exciting news regarding the UCF football program.
Questions? E-mail athletics@knightnews.com.
