The mighty Gators look to end the disappointing 2021-2022 season on a positive note against the other directional school in the Sunshine State, the Central Florida Knights. Interim head coach Greg Knox (1-0, 0-0 SEC) is 2-0 all-time as a head coach, but the team limps into this match-up at 6-6 (2-6) against Gus Malzahn (8-4, 5-3) and the Knights of the All American Conference. Florida leads the all-time series 2-0 after beating UCF 58-27 in 1999 and 42-0 in 2006. These two teams have a bit of history after the Knights made a habit of ducking out of games against Florida, and famously manufacturing national championship hype. The Gators look to quietly claim a mythical state championship by taking care of the vaunted Knights of the AAC by going 2-0 in Raymond James Stadium in 2021. The flagship school in the state of Florida already took care of the USF Bulls 42-20 in Raymond James back in week 2.
Here is a summary of the Knights' 2021 regular season:
Here is a summary of the Gators' 2021 season:
The Gators and the Knights match up nearly evenly in statistical rankings. As expected, the Gators are their own worst enemy. Despite having similar statistical rankings in many categories and excelling in key categories, penalties and turnovers have hurt the Gators. Here is how they look head-to-head:
Emory Jones will be the starter for the Gators one last time before hitting the transfer portal, since Anthony Richardson is out after having knee surgery. On the other sideline, Mikey Keene continues to start in place of the inured Dillon Gabriel and has been serviceable. The Knights can easily defeat an unmotivated team full of lame duck athletes and coaches, but if the Gators choose to get up for this game, with players and coaches alike auditioning for their roles on other teams next year, the Gators could find a way to come out on top. Florida is favored by 7 and the over/under is at 55.5. If you are a betting person I would put money on the Knights to cover the spread, but take the under on points. I think the Gators eke out a win 14-13, but I would not put any money on it.
Here is a summary of the Knights' 2021 regular season:
Date | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|
9/2 | Boise State | W 36-31 |
9/11 | Bethune-Cookman | W 63-14 |
9/17 | @ Louisville | L 35-42 |
10/2 | @ Navy | L 34-30 |
10/9 | East Carolina | W 20-16 |
10/16 | @ #3 Cincinnati | L 21-56 |
10/22 | Memphis | W 24-7 |
10/30 | @ Temple | W 49-7 |
11/6 | Tulane | W 14-10 |
11/20 | Connecticut | W 49-17 |
11/26 | South Florida | W 17-13 |
12/23 Gasparilla Bowl | Florida |
Here is a summary of the Gators' 2021 season:
Date | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|
9/4 #13 | Florida Atlantic | W 35-14 |
9/11 #13 | South Florida | W 42-20 |
9/18 #11 | @ #1 Alabama | L 29-31 |
9/25 #11 | Tennessee | W 38-14 |
10/2 #10 | @ Kentucky | L 13-20 |
10/9 #20 | Vanderbilt | W 42-0 |
10/16 #20 | @ LSU | L 42-49 |
10/30 | vs #1 Georgia | L 7-34 |
11/6 | @ South Carolina | L 17-40 |
11/13 | Samford | W 70-52 |
11/20 | @ Missouri | L 23-24 OT |
11/27 | Florida State | W 24-21 |
12/23 Gasparilla Bowl |
The Gators and the Knights match up nearly evenly in statistical rankings. As expected, the Gators are their own worst enemy. Despite having similar statistical rankings in many categories and excelling in key categories, penalties and turnovers have hurt the Gators. Here is how they look head-to-head:
Team Stat | UCF | Advantage | Florida |
---|---|---|---|
PPG | 32.2 #39 | UCF +0.4 pts (virtual tie) | 31.8 #42 |
PAPG | 25.2 #55 | UCF +1.4 pts (virtual tie) | 26.6 #66 |
TOTAL YD | 399.7 #69 | Florida + 70.5 yds | 470.2 #10 |
TOTAL YD PASSING | 211.0 #89 | Florida + 50.1 yds | 261.1 #39 |
TOTAL YD RUSHING | 188.7 #37 | Florida + 20.4 yds | 209.1 #21 |
YD ALLOWED | 368.9 #54 | UCF + 6.7 yds | 362.2 #46 |
YD ALLOWED PASSING | 213.3 #41 | Florida + 4.7 yds | 208.6 #34 |
YD ALLOWED RUSHING | 155.6 #71 | Florida + 2 yds (virtual tie) | 153.6 #70 |
PENALTIES | 76/ 654 PYDS/ 54.5 PYPG #67 | UCF -15.3 PYPG | 97/ 838 PYDS/ 69.8 PYPG #118 |
TO MARGIN | +0.50/ 9 INT/ 5 FUM/ 11OPINT/ 9 OPFUM #29 | UCF -0.67 INTPG/ +0.17 FUMPG/ +0.75 OPINTPG/ +0.5 OPFUMPG | -0.75/ 18 INT/ 3 FUM/ 9 OPINT/ 3 OPFUM #121 |
Emory Jones will be the starter for the Gators one last time before hitting the transfer portal, since Anthony Richardson is out after having knee surgery. On the other sideline, Mikey Keene continues to start in place of the inured Dillon Gabriel and has been serviceable. The Knights can easily defeat an unmotivated team full of lame duck athletes and coaches, but if the Gators choose to get up for this game, with players and coaches alike auditioning for their roles on other teams next year, the Gators could find a way to come out on top. Florida is favored by 7 and the over/under is at 55.5. If you are a betting person I would put money on the Knights to cover the spread, but take the under on points. I think the Gators eke out a win 14-13, but I would not put any money on it.
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