The series between the two conference opponents stands at 11-1, in favor of the Knights, but that won’t change the 54/46 odds (ESPN) needed to keep the record going.
Those odds seem a little high when a 5-0 team takes on a 4-2 team, especially one that suffered a three-score loss to Tulane and failed to overcome Navy’s prehistoric option offense, however challenging. Both teams built their leads on the backs of weak colleges this time around. UCF, however, will enter with close to the strength it had to finish an undefeated season in 2017 while keeping the 49ppg average through this Saturday.
Memphis QB Brady White carries a better quarterback a slightly better resume in numbers against McKenzie Milton: 1549 passing yards, 15 TDs, 1 interception to Milton’s 1501 passing yards, 15 TDs, and 4 interceptions. The Tiger’s rushing season leader far exceeds the Knights: Darrell Henderson, the nation’s leading rusher accounted for 934 yards in six games on 79 carries, with 12 TDs to boot. UCF’s Adrian Killins ran for 346 yards on 65 carries with only 4 touchdowns, by comparison.
Without Riley Furguson, it’s difficult to achieve again the 55 points Memphis did in the American Conference Championship on the Knights. The deciding touchdown was an interception in double overtime that handed UCF the path to a New Year’s Six bowl; all but chance on defense and the only the second loss Memphis saw that season, courtesy of the Black and Gold.
A loss to unranked Memphis would drop No. 10 UCF from the rankings and erase its chances at entering the College Football Playoff while the win for Memphis would fruit nothing more than bragging rights in their two-loss season so far. Houston (4-1) is having just an electrifying season and sits closer to December’s AAC Championship.
At face value, UCF should dismantle the Tigers as it has done with its previous 18 opponents. McKenzie Milton, Adrian Killins, Otis Anderson, and others are as close to their preceding season success as ever. A Liberty Bowl home field advantage is the greatest advantage Memphis will have.
UCF at Memphis will air on EPSN2 on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
