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UCF # 11 extended its best winning streak to 23 games Saturday night, crushing No. 24 Cincinnati 38-13. The Knights had a tough start to the game as McKenzie Milton escaped into the end zone in the first game of the UCF and Cincinnati recovered the ball for a touchdown. Cincinnati would then add some more scoring opportunities in the first quarter but missed two field placements, and then the UCF's natural ability and speed took over.
Milton finished the evening with 268 passing yards and three touchdowns, as the Knights did not have their typical offensive performance. The Cincinnati defense deserves credit for staging a Knights offense that averaged 543 yards per game at just 402 yards, but that's all the UCF needed. That's the defense that paved the way by forcing three turnovers and keeping Cincinnati at 4.7 yards per game.
This win has allowed the Knights to win the AAC East, which has won their 23rd consecutive game since the 2017 season, but we all know that this is not the ultimate goal of this team. Here are three points to remember from this latest victory of the Knights.
1. UCF is the best team of the group of five: Not really a surprise, but Saturday night was just another reminder of the gap that exists between the Knights and the rest of the CAA and the other conferences of the Group of Five. Remember that it was a Cincinnati team that came into the game with a 9-1 record – a Cincinnati team that, in our opinion, was the obvious choice as the third team of the Group of Five earlier this week – and UCF. just demolish them.
This game did not even feel competitive for more than five minutes. The Knights were not only more talented, they were also stronger and faster. And that's the case most weeks regarding this UCF team. There is a reason he has won 23 consecutive games, and that 's because he' s a very good team. A team good enough to earn a playoff spot? Well, it is not my call. I am not optimistic. This team could beat any of the teams currently in the top four, but you know what? I do not know how many teams could, so it should not be the only shot against this UCF team.
2. The UCF line of defense was the most impressive unit on the ground: I've been skeptical of this UCF defense all season. It's a unit that allows for fewer points per game this season than last year, but when I watched it, I just was not as impressed as it was. last year. Saturday night was the first night I felt good, as the UCF defensive line dominated the Cincinnati offensive line all night. They were disruptive, filling gaps, finding themselves in the backfield and launching after quarterback. Cincinnati QB Desmond Ridder spent a good part of the night escaping the pressure. The Knights finished with three sacks and seven tackles for defeat, with the defensive line doing most of the work. Trysten Hill himself had the three sacks and four tackles. The Knights' defense also added four hits to quarterback.
3. OK, so we have to talk about the CFP: I said earlier that it was not my call and that was not the case. Nevertheless, we need to talk about it, because when it comes to UCF, it's the biggest question about this program. I think it's pretty clear that, based on the Knights ranking throughout the season despite their defeat status, they will not participate in the CFP no matter what happens. If we associate the defeat of West Virginia and the lethargic game of the Ohio State in the United States, it will probably be enough to place the Knights in the top 10, but that's probably what the Knights can hope for better. If UCF is not in the top 10, the CFP selection committee could just as easily stop ranking the five-member teams.
You can say that what you want is not right or correct, and I understand everything you want to say, but that's just the reality of the situation. Maybe they win 39 consecutive? No, probably not.
CBS Sports was with you all night to update this story with the latest highlights and game scans. Check below.
Thank you for being past.
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