After two humbling losses against FIU and BYU, the UCF football team are in what some call a must-win situation against Marshall (2-3) as conference play starts Saturday night at Bright House Networks Stadium.
The Knights need to win this game for any chance to make a serious run at playing in the Conference USA championship game. It does work in the Knight’s favor, however, that they play this game in Orlando, where they have yet to allow a touchdown all season.
Marshall is coming into the game after a big 17-13 win against Louisville. The Thundering Herd has had two of their three losses this season against BCS Top 25 ranked teams, and could be considered a bit of a sleeper in this game. UCF defensive lineman Victor Gray is approaching this game with caution.
“They play hard, and I feel like they are an underrated team. They play with a chip on their shoulder and they compete. And that is one thing that you have to look out for in teams like this. They compete to the very last whistle,” Gray said.
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As for the players handling the last two losses, starting quarterback Jeff Godfrey has not forgotten about them.
“It is eating at me very hard. The last two games we came out with an L, and we just want to get back out there and get back to playing UCF football. All of us got to go out there and just play the best that we can play. We’ve been out there working hard, and its conference play now,” the sophomore quarterback said.
For the Knights, entering the fifth game of the season at 2-2 is no unfamiliar situation. This is the third straight season that they have started off 2-2, so there is still a strong chance for the Knights to put together a very impressive season.
Keys to Victory
Plain and simple, it is imperative for the Knights to limit their costly turnovers, which seems to be their Achilles heel this season.
The Knights are fifth in the FBS rankings for points against this season, which they will need to maintain against Marshall. Overall, the Knights have played solid defense this season, but slipped up when it mattered the most.
Offensively, the Knights need to establish the passing game to open up chances for four able-bodied runners in Godfrey, Latavius Murray, Brynn Harvey and Ronnie Weaver to find holes in the Marshall defense. Godfrey also recognizes the need for the aerial attack.
“That is something that we are trying to do more of- attack down the field. We see the DB’s are not respecting receivers because they are pressing up and that is something that we have been practicing. I think we had pretty good catches at the BYU game and that is something that we need to do against Marshall.”
If the Knights can limit their turnovers, and play good defense when it matters, they should have no problem beating the Thundering Herd at home.
Final Thoughts
-A.J. Guyton is set up to have a huge game now that UCF is looking to pass more.
-Look for backup QB and red shirt freshman Blake Bortles to take some snaps behind center against Marshall. Bortles has been impressive this season, completing 12-of-15 passes and posting a 186.4 QB rating.
-UCF should come out strong, limit mistakes, and get the offense going in front of a home crowd.
Prediction: UCF winning this game in large fashion 28-3.
