NEWPORT, R.I. – The Preseason Media Poll is in at AAC Media Days, and UCF has been selected to finish second in the East Division – only a year removed from a last place selection.
The Knights received 126 total points, good for the fifth most in the conference but standing well above Temple, the reigning AAC Champion. The recognition comes on the heels of The First Frost, which brought about a six-win improvement and total facelift for the UCF Football program.
Fourteen starters will return to the program in 2017. Nine of them reside on the offensive side of line, promising the second phase of development in the UCFast Scott Frost Offense. The threat of its final evolution has clearly made an impact on minds around the American.
USF was on the receiving end of a massive movement of confidence as well. After finishing No. 19 in the nation, the Bulls were unanimously selected to win the East and emerged as the favorite to take the entire conference.
The full point spread fell as follows:
EAST
USF 180
UCF 126
Temple 119
(100) Cincinnati
(63) East Carolina
(42) UConn
WEST
(169) Memphis
(137) Houston
(128) Navy
(102) Tulsa
(64) SMU
(30) Tulane
AAC Championship
USF 26
Houston 2
Memphis 1
Navy 1
