Expert Predictions for SMU/UCF

[Harry0569]

From Mark Schlabach of ESPN.com

Conference USA championship game

Who: SMU (7-5) at Central Florida (9-3)

When/where: Saturday, noon ET; Bright House Networks Stadium, Orlando, Fla.

TV: ESPN/ESPN3.com

What's at stake: The winner claims a spot in the Dec. 31 Autozone Liberty Bowl in Memphis. The loser will end up in one of Conference USA's other bowl games.

Why to watch: The game pits one of college football's best defensive minds against one of its best offensive minds. Central Florida coach George O'Leary has built the Knights program around defense, as it leads Conference USA in rushing defense, scoring defense, pass-efficiency defense and total defense. SMU coach June Jones has used his run-and-shoot offense to guide the Mustangs to back-to-back bowl games for the first time since 1984-85.

Who to watch: Both teams are led by talented young quarterbacks. Central Florida freshman Jeff Godfrey has thrown for 1,875 yards with 12 touchdowns, while running for 529 yards with nine scores. SMU sophomore Kyle Padron has completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 3,306 yards with 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Predicted winner: Central Florida, 24-21

[StallionsModelT]

SMU 31
Central Florida 27

Bring on the Dawgs.

[RGV Pony]

UCF 35
SMU 24

[smupony94]

UCF 35
SMU 24

Sorry, but you are not an expert

[EastStang]

The curve ball is the health of Padron's ankle. No questions about his heart or his desire. But if you can't plant one of your feet, its not good. If Padron is 75% and plays then we lose 38-35. If Padron is 100%, then we win 42-35. If Padron is like 50% or can't play at all, we lose this one 38-14.

[RGV Pony]

UCF 35
SMU 24

Sorry, but you are not an expert

was trying to help out the OP. Thread title says "predictions," plural...yet the expert quoted only counts as one (1) prediction.

[smupony94]

UCF 35
SMU 24

Sorry, but you are not an expert

was trying to help out the OP. Thread title says "predictions," plural...yet the expert quoted only counts as one (1) prediction.

Then, as an expert, I predict UCF 49 - SMU 17

[RGV Pony]

Then, as an expert, I predict UCF 49 - SMU 17

you're a good, benevolent, selfless man

[smupony94]

Then, as an expert, I predict UCF 49 - SMU 17

you're a good, benevolent, selfless man

I learned from you

[smupony94]

I am not a man yet. 18 more months

[b_caesar]

Might as well...

SMU - 21
UCF - 20

Yes, I may be deluded, but then again, I may not.

[StallionsModelT]

I don't know why people would think UCF is going to overmatch us. We haven't been overmatched in a game all season save Houston (which was a weird set of circumstances with the rain delay, homecoming, etc.). Not making excuses for the Houston performance just saying that was the only game this year where we didn't come ready to play and matched up with our opponent. UCF won't intimidate us and we will be ready to go. They may beat us but it won't be b/c we can't line up and play with them.

[Harry0569]

UCF 30
SMU- 21

[Hilltop]

I don't know why people would think UCF is going to overmatch us. We haven't been overmatched in a game all season save Houston (which was a weird set of circumstances with the rain delay, homecoming, etc.). Not making excuses for the Houston performance just saying that was the only game this year where we didn't come ready to play and matched up with our opponent. UCF won't intimidate us and we will be ready to go. They may beat us but it won't be b/c we can't line up and play with them.

I agree that our starting line should be able to match up well with UCF, but I am still worried about our team's depth. We certainly looked a little gassed at the end of the ECU game and I'm not sure we will be able to play on their level for a whole 60 minutes. Either way, I know our boys will play with heart and I'll be in the stands cheering for the Mustangs the whole game!

GO SMU!!! BEAT UCF!!!

[couch 'em]

You guys predicting 30+ points are crazy. We struggled to put up that many points against some of the worst defenses in all of college football; it is unlikely that we'll score 30 points against a good solid defense.

If we are to win this game, we need the D to come up big and keep scoring low. We'll need turnovers to go our way if we want to put up a lot of points.