ALABAMA
This is just adding fuel to the Central Florida fire, but it may also be a dose of reality the Knights need down the stretch of this season.
A hypothetical line released by Todd Fuhrman via Dave Mason of BetOnline.ag suggests that Alabama would be a 31-point favorite over UCF in a potential national championship game. Not only is Alabama a two-touchdown favorite against any other contender outside of Clemson, this Vegas line has the Knights as 31-point underdogs.
UCF AD Danny White has been a consistent critic of the college football system that has kept the Knights from competing in the College Football Playoff. While UCF has a strong winning streak, its weak schedule is repeatedly called into question.
White has ranted against a host of college football figures, including ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit, who recently called out the Knights on College GameDay. White responded with a lengthy Twitter post.
Some fans have pointed out that Alabama recently doubled the spread on the road at LSU in a 29-0 victory, and this game would be on a neutral field thousands of miles from either campus.
It’s unclear how long this feud will continue with White leading the charge, but it appears to have legs until the Knights suffer a loss.
Pretty sure @UCFDannyWhite won't be happy to see this…
Potential "Natl Title" line (via @DaveMasonBOL )
Alabama -31 vs @UCF_Football
(cc: @joelklatt ) pic.twitter.com/D6ZrUe2G6D
— Todd Fuhrman (@ToddFuhrman) November 7, 2018
Hell I would take the 31 points and then some. That weak defense that just allowed 40 at home to Temple is the kind of defense Tua and company would feast on. But while I would love to see Bama put UCF in their place, it won’t happen. I think UCF’s gonna lose to a conference opponent before the postseason even gets here actually. Temple, USF, and Houston (in the AAC championship game) all have the potential to knock the “defending national champs” off of their pedestal.
I agree with all of that and that UCF could but potentially lose down the stretch, but I really don’t think they will. I think they go undefeated again this year and make it to another New Year’s Six bowl. Hopefully this time they get beat and put in their place.
Well, the good news this year is that due to Auburn’s struggles, UCF wouldn’t get matched up against Mr. Chokes-in-the-postseason Malzahn. I imagine they’d play maybe OU, WVU, UGA, or Wazzu. All of those teams should be able to roundhouse-kick UCF all the way back to Disney World.
I mean this is coming from a UGA fan, but I don’t know if I would feel super confident in any of those teams to definitely win against UCF. Obviously each of those teams have better defenses than UCF will see during the regular season, but they have a good scheme on offense and can score a lot of points.
What a ridiculous line! The mighty Knights of Central Florida allowed the powerhouse known as Temple to score only 40 and limited them to less than 700 yards. All at home, too. No way they let feeble ole Alabama and it’s #1 offense win by 31. Maybe the matchup can be in Atlanta, too. Alabama rarely has success there.
This is hilarious. UCF is like the tough-talking guy being held back by his friends, but who would cower in fear if they actually released him.
The whole “National Champs” thing was funny for about two hours, but they really need to let it go. Better yet, join a Power 5.
What Power 5 conference would take them. I guess the SEC could cut Missouri and add UCF. That would be a proper swap.
UCF remained at #12 from last week. They play a 2 win Navy this weekend. They will stay at their current ranking again or could actually drop.
I’ve gotta disagree with you there. Having Mizzou expanded the SEC’s footprint into a new television market and recruiting ground, much like getting A&M expanded its reach into Texas. The SEC already has the Florida market.
I mean I could easily see UCF being in the ACC with the way that conference as a whole is trending. UCF would easily be one of the top teams in that conference, at least this year
31 is lower than I would take to bet on em. I would need at least 50 and think if it ever happened an example might be made to assure it doesn’t happen again. If saban wanted make an example of them it could be the century mark. But he wouldn’t do that. So 70-3 sounds about right.
Come on. Don’t be so unfair to UCF. Let’s say 70-10. Their offense could get a TD once the third string got put in.
Okay so I’m pretty sure we all agree that Alabama would easily win this game, but I think we’re underestimating UCF’s offense. They can definitely score points, and I think they can even score on Alabama’s defense. I think the score would be closer to 63-35, with UCF scoring a lot during garbage time
It’s meant to be hyperbolic.
I’m very surprised a UCF fan hasn’t shown up to argue. At least one seems to show up on any article that mentions UCF. You know you’re desperate for attention when you’ve got a Google alert for anything at all concerning your team.
Okay, so a UCF fan has entered the fray! I read often that UCF should just join a P5 conference, and we were under consideration by the Big 12 a couple years ago…but the conference opted not to expand. USF was a possibility, too, and as awkward as it would have been to be joined at the hip with the rival Bulls, the composite Orlando-Tampa TV market would be huge, and give the BIg 12 a stake in the talent-rich recruiting grounds of Florida. As to an Alabama -UCF game? We would score points, maybe a lot, but this year’s version of Bama Ball is probably the best I’ve ever seen! Bama would rain down points on us, and that’s a given. Few, if any teams could stand toe-to-toe with Alabama this year, and that’s a fact. Our program has come a long way, but unquestionably, Alabama and the SEC has far more tradition. Still, one could ask what Alabama/Auburn/Georgia have in common, and one answer is all three dropped their last game to UCF. Check the facts – even though we played Bama in the twilight of Dubose’s tenure, UCF was just a fledgling program that had recently moved up from 1-AA. UCF beat a pedestrian Georgia team in the Liberty Bowl, and everyone recalls last year’s Peach Bowl. As far as being National Champion, most would agree that Alabama was the largely recognized 2017 champion. UCF fans can’t contest that, and none that I know would say our team was superior. Alabama is a juggernaut that under the Saban era has been the dominant team of the last decade. Of course, Stallings and Bryant’s teams had their success as well. UCF has had success in recent years, but heck, we didn’t even suit-up a team until ‘79-‘80! From basically club-ball through DII, D-IAA and our current G5 status, we’ve come a long way. UCF enrollment is 68,000, and bigger things are coming. It is smack dab in the middle of the country’s most fertile talent bed. But until invited to a P5 conference, there will always be a glass ceiling for us. Frustrating! We went undefeated last year and beat a solid SEC team in the Peach that had beaten Bama And Georgia. That’s solid period, but especially for a G5 team with just a fraction of the budget and windfalls that come P5 teams way. We’d be honored/thrilled to be invited to,someday join the SEC or Big 12 or ACC. Until then, we have to blow our own horn to,even get noticed!
Yea, 31 points and thats taking in consideration that Tua will be pulled after early 3rd quarter.
This article, and the associated comments, miss the point. We simply want access to a real playoff.