Playoff party out of reach, but Knights garner Fiesta
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The University of Central Florida’s bid for another self-proclaimed national championship will go through the desert.
Snubbed by the College Football Playoff selection committee for the second straight season, the seventh-ranked and undefeated Knights will face No. 11 LSU in the Fiesta Bowl on New Year’s Day.
“It’s not a playoff. It’s an invitational,” UCF athletic director Danny White posted on Twitter on Sunday. “I’m excited to see what invitational we get to be a part of, and once again show what our team is capable of, ON THE FIELD! Proud of our team. Can’t wait to go bowling with #KnightNation!!!”
UCF (12-0) finished undefeated last season and proclaimed itself national champion after beating Auburn in the Peach Bowl. The CFP national title went to Alabama after the Crimson Tide beat Georgia in the championship game.
The Knights closed out another undefeated regular season and stretched their unbeaten streak to 25 games with a 56-41 win over Memphis in Saturday’s American Athletic Conference title game. The CFP selection committee tabbed Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame and Oklahoma for this year’s playoff, slotting UCF eighth in Sunday’s rankings.
“Our football team was disappointed to not have the opportunity to go earn that (CFP berth) on the football field, absolutely,” first-year Knights coach Josh Heupel said. “They had a feel that was going to happen, but there’s great excitement to have an opportunity to go play in that game. It’s very special.”
UCF has not lost since the 2016 Cure Bowl against Arkansas State. The Knights first burst onto the national stage in 2014 at the Fiesta Bowl, outlasting Baylor 52-42.
“They have a great program, are undefeated and should be very proud to be undefeated two years in a row,” Fiesta Bowl executive director Mike Nealy said. “They’re a great team and should be excited about their wins.”
LSU (9-3) appeared to be in the CFP playoff hunt until losing to No. 22 Florida in early October. The Tigers knocked off then-No. 2 Georgia to move back into the CFP picture, but they were blown out by top-ranked Alabama and lost a wild seven-overtime game to No. 21 Texas A&M to close out the regular season.
LSU will be playing in the Fiesta Bowl for the first time and is the first Southeastern Conference team in the Fiesta since Tennessee lost to Nebraska in 2000.
“We’re highly motivated. This is where we wanted to go,” LSU coach Ed Orgeron said. “When the possibilities of playing a bowl came up, our team wanted to play the Fiesta Bowl. We’re not happy the way our season ended, and our guys are going to be ready to play.”
UCF appeared to have endured a big blow when quarterback McKenzie Milton suffered a severe leg injury in the regular-season finale against South Florida. Milton was the two-time AAC player of the year and threw for 2,663 yards and 25 touchdowns with six interceptions.
But the Knights did not suffer a letdown with Darriel Mack Jr. behind center in the AAC title game. He ran for four touchdowns, and he threw for two more and 348 yards while leading UCF back from a 17-point halftime deficit.
LSU put together a solid third season under Orgeron. The Tigers are headed to their first major bowl since playing Alabama in the 2011 national championship game. LSU also has a chance to win 10 games for the first time since 2013.
One area where LSU can exploit UCF’s defense is on the ground. The Knights are among the Football Bowl Subdivision’s worst defenses against the run, having given up an average of 227.4 yards per game this season.
LSU’s Nick Brossette has rushed for 922 yards and 14 touchdowns, while Clyde Edwards-Helaire has 626 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. Tigers quarterback Joe Burrow, who has thrown for 2,500 yards and 12 touchdowns, is an adept runner as well, with seven rushing scores.