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2009 UCF Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

ucf 62309Can the nation’s worst offensive team a year ago, in terms of yards per game, improve enough to build on a disappointing 4-8 campaign? Get my take in this 2009 college football predictions article. Our readers qualify for a special $500 match bonus at BetUS!

Offense – After ranking 113th nationally in points per game (16.6) and dead last in total yards per game (229.5), head coach George O’Leary has shaken things up a little bit to get his team back on the winning track. He has brought in Charlie Taaffe to call the offensive plays and also plans on making some drastic changes on the line. Rob Calabrese was one of four true freshmen quarterbacks in the country to start during the 2008 season and his performance was tough to watch. Calabrese threw for just 664 yards and seven touchdowns. To his credit, the Knights didn’t exactly have a team of all-conference caliber players around him. While he remains the frontrunner to start at QB again this season, he’ll get stiff competition from Wake Forest transfer Brett Hodges.

While there weren’t many bright spots for the UCF offense a season ago, running back Brynn Harvey was one of them. He proved to be an exciting runner who continued to improve throughout the season. He rushed for 519 yards on 125 carries in 2008. Harvey continued to make progress in the spring. The injury bug plagued the UCF wide receiver unit last season, but that unit should return healthy and strong in 2009 with senior Rocky Ross leading the way.

For major improvement to take place, the offensive line is going to have to exceed expectations. O’Leary has brought in former Georgia Tech All-ACC lineman Brent Key to coach the unit and he has moved defensive linemen Theo Goins and Wes Tunuufi Sauvao over to the offense to bolster it.

Defense – If it wasn’t for a pretty solid defense, the Knights wouldn’t have been competitive at all last season. Six starters return on a unit that allowed 24.1 points per game (54th nationally), including star defensive tackle Torrell Troup. Troup is highly regarded as the best player on the entire team and will be on the radar of many NFL scouts in 2009. Travis Timmons, Bruce Miller, and David Williams team up with Troup to form a formidable defensive front. There is talent in the linebacker corps as well with top returning tackler Lawrence Young combing with Cory Hogue and Jordan Richards. The secondary will be the weak spot of the defense after losing some of the best defensive backs to ever put on a UCF uniform.

Prediction: 5th Conference USA East – The defense will have to continue to keep the Knights in games as Calabrese and the offense figure to have another season of growing pains ahead. But with a young secondary to match up with the league’s high scoring offenses and a sub par offensive line to block for Calabrese and Harvey, another tough season is likely. Bet on college football at BetUS and get up to 145% in sign up bonuses!

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Written by Jimmy Boyd on June 23, 2009 · Filed Under College Football Betting Articles, News & Previews 

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