Pony NATE-tion Abridged: UCF too much for Mustangs
Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2018 12:04 amApologies to the readers, as college apps, school work, and football practice proved to be too much for me to get to a full article this week. However, here is my very condensed take on this week's matchup against the No. 12 Golden Knights of UCF:
This is another bear of a matchup for the Ponies. UCF is led by Heisman-hopeful quarterback McKenzie Milton. Milton is having a phenomenal year, with over 1200 yards, 13 touchdowns, at a 61.3 percent completion rate. UCF's offense has been borderline unstoppable with 48.8 points per game to go along with a top 20 passing attack and a top 5 rushing attack (in terms of yardage per game). I have a feeling SMU's banged up defense, although it has played well of late, won't have the horses to keep up with UCF's incredible offense. Defensively, the Knights are ranked 15th in the nation in scoring defense, holding opponents to 16.8 points per game. Regardless if Will Brown or Ben Hicks starts, that doesn't change how good this UCF defense is. SMU's offense has begun to click a little bit more, but expect struggles to arise again.
This is just another tough matchup for a young and growing team. I think SMU will show lots of energy and life early on, but SMU will wear down as the game goes, and UCF will pull away slowly but surely. Better things are undoubtedly ahead for the Ponies, but it isn't in the cards this week. I've got UCF winning handily.
Nate's Take: UCF 48 SMU 20
This is another bear of a matchup for the Ponies. UCF is led by Heisman-hopeful quarterback McKenzie Milton. Milton is having a phenomenal year, with over 1200 yards, 13 touchdowns, at a 61.3 percent completion rate. UCF's offense has been borderline unstoppable with 48.8 points per game to go along with a top 20 passing attack and a top 5 rushing attack (in terms of yardage per game). I have a feeling SMU's banged up defense, although it has played well of late, won't have the horses to keep up with UCF's incredible offense. Defensively, the Knights are ranked 15th in the nation in scoring defense, holding opponents to 16.8 points per game. Regardless if Will Brown or Ben Hicks starts, that doesn't change how good this UCF defense is. SMU's offense has begun to click a little bit more, but expect struggles to arise again.
This is just another tough matchup for a young and growing team. I think SMU will show lots of energy and life early on, but SMU will wear down as the game goes, and UCF will pull away slowly but surely. Better things are undoubtedly ahead for the Ponies, but it isn't in the cards this week. I've got UCF winning handily.
Nate's Take: UCF 48 SMU 20