Inside The Knights Staff Predictions: Bethune-Cookman at UCF
ORLANDO - Inside The Knights has multiple takes on Saturday’s game, with the following writers forecasting their insights below.
Stephen Leonard's Thoughts and Score Prediction
UCF plays host to Bethune-Cookman on Saturday night, the first meeting between the schools since September of 2014. That game ended in a UCF victory by a score of 41-7, extending the current winning streak over Bethune-Cookman to seven games.
UCF Head Coach Gus Malzahn will be expecting another impressive showing by running back Isaiah Bowser, who contributed 201 total yards in the victory against Boise State last Thursday night. Bethune-Cookman’s defense gave up 287 rushing yards in their loss to the University of Texas at El Paso, with two running backs rushing for more than 100 yards.
With UCF being viewed as the significantly stronger team, it will be interesting to see which players receive playing time, if the game becomes a rout, as expected. True freshman quarterback Mikey Keene, who won the backup duties, should get his first collegiate snaps. It will also likely be the first opportunity to see Kentucky quarterback transfer Joey Gatewood, who was granted eligibility this season after arriving to UCF’s campus in August.
With UCF being able to start fast and continuing to score, the majority of their starters will not need to play in the second half. Look for the UCF coaching staff to slow it down as the fourth quarter begins, running out the clock.
UCF 65 Bethune-Cookman 10
Jason Hamby's Thoughts and Score Prediction
This Saturday’s game against Bethune-Cookman should be a blowout, and should give the UCF offense to show just how explosive they really are. This Bethune-Cookman team gave up 38 points and 472 total yards last week against UTEP. Against UCF, one can feel pretty certain that the Bethune-Cookman will not be able to match anything close to the playmaking ability of the Knights.
On the offensive side of the football, Bethune-Cookman does have a couple skill players able to make plays when given space like Marcus Riley at wide receiver and Que’Shawn Byrd at running back. However, it is still hard to see the Wildcats scoring two touchdowns on the Knights.
Offensively for the Knights, Bowser won’t have near as many carries as he did last week (33), but he’ll impress again. Look for Coach Malzahn to get the ball in backup running back Johnny Richardson’s hands more this game as well. Go ahead and chalk up quarterback Dillon Gabriel for more than 300 passing yards, at least 100 of those to wide receiver Jaylon Robinson.
Knights 48 Wildcats 10
Look for an additional article about a game prediction tomorrow, that will also discuss what Dillon Gabriel needs to do to raise his game yet again.
Recent Articles From Inside The Knights
Big XII Officially Invites BYU, UCF, Cincinnati and Houston to Join its Conference
UCF Football Branding its Helmets through Social Media
A Closer Look at the UCF Defense Versus the Bethune-Cookman Offense
Initial Thoughts, Bethune-Cookman at UCF
Oregon at Ohio State, Previewing the Big Matchup
A Closer Look at the UCF Offense Versus the Bethune-Cookman Defense
Titus Mokiao-Atimalala Continued the 808 Connection to UCF
Kalia Davis Earned AAC Player of the Week, and Now He Can Help Take the UCF Defense to Another Level
Areas to Improve as UCF Hosts Bethune-Cookman in Week Two
Inside The Knights Week Two College Football Poll
Alec Holler Earned a Scholarship with UCF, Then Scored His First Touchdown for the Knights
Big Kat Bryant Press Conference
Dawgs’ Defense Dominates, Help Grind out 10-3 Victory Over Tigers
Florida College Football Programs: How They Fared in Week One
Recapping Bowser’s Big Night, Defining His Future Role
UCF Football in the Power Five, What it Will Mean for the Knights and the Big XII
Alabama Versus Miami, Players and Statistics to Know
Alabama Versus Miami Analysis, Predictions for the Best College Football Games
Bowser Dominated Broncos, Impressed Gus Malzahn and Dillon Gabriel
