2009 UCF Knights NCAA Football Predictions

Written July 17, 2009 by Jason Lowry

UCF Knights 2009 Predictions The UCF Knights went from the conference title game in 2007 to a miserable 4-8 season last year, with a 3-5 record in Conference USA. The Knights head coach George O’Leary has a track record of going from the bottom to the top in this conference, as the Knights were just 4-8 in 2006 before finishing 10-4 in 2008. This year O’Leary has 15 starters back, and while the offense has some work to do the defense looks like it could be a force this season.

There is some potential for the Knights offense this season, as they have 9 starters back from 2008, but this unit finished dead last in Conference USA scoring just 17 points a game last season. A big reason for that was the Knights got little to no play out of the quarterback position. Sophomore Rob Calabrese was the top passer throwing for just 664 yards with 7 touchdowns to just 5 interceptions, but completed just 39% of his passes. Calabrese looks to be the starter heading into the season, but will have some competition from sophomore Joe Weatherford and Wake Forest transfer Brett Hodges. As bad as the passing game was last season, the running game wasn’t much better, as true freshman Brynn Harvey led the team with just 519 yards and 1 touchdown. This year the Knights will have three sophomore backs sharing the load, as Latavius Murray and Ronnie Weaver figure to backup Harvey this season. The Knights return the same group at wide receiver, but they are really hoping to get a lot of production from former Notre Dame transfer Richard Jackson. The Knights have to replace both guards on the offensive line, and are hoping to do so with a couple of redshirt freshmen in Steven Robinson and Theo Goins. This will once again be one of the youngest offensive groups in the conference, as only 3 starters are expected to start, and the only one that figures to make a big impact is senior center Ian Bustillo. Bet the Knights this season at Sportsbook.com.

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The Knights have just 6 starters back from last season, but still figure to be very strong on this side of the ball, especially up front. The Knights have one of the best defensive tackles in the conference in senior Torrell Troup, and two more outstanding players at defensive end in senior Jarvis Geathers and junior Bruce Miller. The talent doesn’t stop there as the Knights have three of the top linebackers in the conference ready to cause chaos this season. It all starts with senior Chance Henderson and junior Lawrence Young, but they also expect to get a lot out of senior Cory Hogue, who becomes the full time starer at one of the outside spots. The Knights will be a little weak in the secondary, as the only starter back from last season is junior free safety Derrick Hallman. Senior Emery Allen and junior Darin Baldwin are expected to take over at the two corner spots, while junior Reggie Weams looks to be the full time starter at strong safety. While the secondary comes in a bit inexperienced, I think they should greatly benefit from the pressure the front 7 will put on opposing quarterbacks. If the defense plays as good as expected the Knights could be in for a lot of dog fights this season, as it doesn’t look like the offense will be scoring a ton of points. Bet Conference USA this season at Sportsbook.com.

My 2009 Prediction 5th in Conference USA East Division. Unfortunately it looks as though a very good defense is going to go to waste this season, as they Knights just don’t look like they have the talent to compete on the offensive end of things. If the Knights can find an answer at quarterback, then things could take a big swing in the right direction, but as of now I don’t see it coming.

For those of you looking for some help with your 2009 NCAA football picks, be sure to check back for our expert NCAA football predictions and the latest NCAA football odds at Betfirms.

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