UCF wants to prove it deserves more respect.
Again.
It went undefeated and beat Auburn in the Peach Bowl last season.
But that – and another AAC title and another undefeated regular season – wasn’t enough to get the No. 8 Knights into the Playoff.
Maybe a win against No. 11 LSU in the Fiesta Bowl will give them some more credibility.
Maybe.
The Tigers didn’t even have to go undefeated to get into the CFP. Thanks to their reputation and that of the SEC, they could have gotten in with a loss.
But they lost to Florida. And Alabama. And Texas A&M.
So they have something to prove, too – that they’re making strides in coach Ed Orgeron’s second full season and are closing in on SEC West title contender status.
They also have that whole carrying the SEC and Power 5 mantle on their plate.
So there’s a lot at stake in one of the premier bowl match-ups still remaining.
Here are 10 bold predictions for the Fiesta Bowl.
1. There will be Playoff-level intensity
It was all outlined in the lead-in.
This means a lot to UCF, its conference and anyone not in a Power 5 conference.
It also means a lot to LSU, the SEC and everyone in a Power 5 conference.
The Knights want to declare themselves national champions again.
The Tigers want to silence them.
The two fans bases are ready to see this settled.
So are the players.
2. UCF QB Darriel Mack Jr. will be good, but not great
The redshirt freshman stepped in for injured starter McKenzie Milton at quarterback and led the Knights to victory in the AAC championship game. He was OK in the first half and outstanding in the second half.
But that was against Memphis’ defense.
This isn’t against Memphis’ defense.
He’ll make some plays, but not nearly as many as he made in the AAC title game.
3. The LSU defense will still be the LSU defense
Well mostly, anyway.
You don’t take away Greedy Williams, Kristian Fulton, Kelvin Joseph, Ed Alexander and Breiden Fehoko – as injuries, NFL preparation and a suspension have – and not miss a beat.
So the Tigers won’t have their normal level of experience and depth and it will show from time to time.
But Dave Aranda still has lots of talent and he has had a month to prepare so the defense will do fine.
4. Joe Burrow will be key
Both teams take the ball away a lot more than they give it away, so which once does it better will have a significant advantage.
Burrow has taken care of the ball well all season – even against the likes of Alabama, Georgia and Florida.
As mentioned earlier, UCF has a fill-in at quarterback in Mack. He’s more likely to turn the ball over than Burrow is.
5. Richie Grant will have double-figure tackles
Grant not only has 6 interceptions and three forced fumbles, but he leads the Knights in tackles.
He’ll be the key to their defensive effort and come up with at least 10 tackles.
6. So will Devin White
White has been voted the top linebacker in the country and his team’s MVP.
This will be his last game as a Tiger if he chooses to go pro. He’ll make it a memorable performance either way and come away with 10 or more tackles of his own.
7. Nick Brossette will get his 1,000 yards
The senior waited a long time for his opportunity and he has taken advantage of it.
He needs just 78 rushing yards to reach 1,000 for the season and he’ll get that and more.
8. Greg McCrae will get 100 yards
UCF’s leading rusher already has his 1,000 yards. In fact he’s already past 1,100.
He’ll zip past 1,200 for the season as he manages 100-plus hard-earned yards against the Tigers.
9. It’ll go to the wire
Remember that LSU-Texas A&M game that went 7 overtimes at the end of the regular season?
Well, this won’t be like that.
But it will be close and go right to the wire as the Knights’ 25-game winning streak and hopes of another self-proclaimed national championship hang in the balance.
And …
10. Cole Tracy will make the difference
The graduate transfer kicker has been a key player for LSU all season long.
The Tigers will stall in the red zone a couple of times and have to call on Tracy.
And in the end they’ll need a field goal from him and he’ll come through to avoid overtime and give LSU a 26-24 victory.
Les East is a New Orleans-based football writer who covers LSU for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow him on Twitter @Les_East.
