We are mere days from the college football season, folks. Today we aim our sights on the American Athletic Conference. For more conference breakdowns, don’t miss our Mid-American Conference preview or our look at the SEC.
The AAC saw the UCF Knights rise from its newest team to conference and bowl champions last season. Can the reigning conference champions repeat this year, or will they falter under the pressure to be given by the AAC newcomers the East Carolina Pirates? Read on as we take a closer look at this intriguing NCAAF conference.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]2014 American Athletic Conference College Football Preview and Prediction
Overview
The UCF Knights and the Louisville Cardinals reigned atop of the American Athletic Conference last year with identical overall records of 12-1 SU. However, the Knights were undefeated in the conference to earn themselves the inaugural AAC championship and a place in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl game, which they won.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]The two teams set themselves apart from the middle of the pack which included the likes of the Cincinnati Bearcats and the Houston Cougars, who only managed 6-2 SU and 5-3 SU conference records, respectively.
This year, UCF’s toughest opponent, the Louisville Cardinals, are no longer in the conference. Instead, they’ll have a brand new challenge in the latest addition to the AAC, the East Carolina Pirates. The Pirates are coming in with a 10-3 SU performance in the C-USA last season.
Favorite – UCF Knights
The UCF Knights didn’t put up stellar offensive numbers last year. They only had 3,661 passing yards and 2,079 rushing yards for the whole season, yet they still managed to clinch their division as well as the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
Entering the 2014-15 college football season, the Knights offense will be intact with a host of returnees. The team’s receiving corps will be led by four experienced senior wide receivers in J.J Worton, Jackie Williams, Rannell Hall and Josh Reese. Even with the departure of quarterback Blake Bortles for the NFL, these wide receivers will be able to use their skill and experience to help their new starting quarterback complete passes.
Their running attack will also be powered by returning All-Conference selection William Stanback. The sophomore running back only had 443 rushing yards last season, but his contributions were limited by the presence of the Knights’ former number one running back Storm Johnson (1,139 yards). With Johnson now gone this season, Stanback will have more chances to showcase his skill.
The UCF defense that ranked 17th in the nation in points against will be one of the stronger defensive units in the AAC this season. The defense will be powered by three All-Conference selections: linebacker Terrance Plummer, cornerback Jacoby Glenn and strong safety Clayton Geathers. Plummer had 110 total tackles, sixth in the AAC, as well as 2.5 sacks, while Glenn had 100 total tackles of his own. Geathers also had a strong showing after he defended 12 passes and intercepted two.
With the UCF Knights looking good overall, expect them to once again reign supreme over the AAC.
Player to Watch – WR J.J. Worton (UCF)
Wide receiver J.J. Worton is returning as one of the most experienced players for the UCF Knights. He had 47 catches for 721 yards, including four 100-yard receiving games, and a team-high seven touchdowns. Worton’s skill was on display with his incredible one-handed touchdown reception late in the fourth quarter to tie the game against Temple, which the Knights eventually won.
Worton will be one of the foundations of UCF’s receiving offense which will have a new look under a new starting quarterback.
Best Game on the Schedule
December 4 – UCF Knights at East Carolina Pirates
The UCF Knights’ biggest challenge will come from the new kids on the block, the East Carolina Pirates. The Knights’ defense will try to hold back a dominant Pirates offense that saw them collect a total of 6,086 yards last season. This highly-anticipated game will likely decide which team becomes the conference champion.
Writer’s Prediction
The UCF Knights will repeat as AAC champions.
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