Game 1 - UA at UCF

[johnnyzip84]

The Zips come in as 3 TD underdogs.

As a frame of reference, the Zips were 23.5 point underdogs last year at home against UCF.

I'm still working on my prediction, but I thought it was time to get a thread (sorry UCF fan, we can't let you start the official game thread) going.

Here is a projected depth chart for the Knights.

[akzipper]

I still think it's going to have a lopsided outcome. It's the first game, and while we've improved I'm sure UCF has as well.

37-10

[Zipgrad01]

I still think it's going to have a lopsided outcome. It's the first game, and while we've improved I'm sure UCF has as well.

37-10

Wow...that is pretty optimistic for you. I expected a 50 point prediction. I feel better all of the sudden.

[InTheZone]

I think we pull off the shocker (no not that shocker). Bowden has had time to change the culture in the locker room and I think he has. We have enough talent at some key positions, and UCF is going to be looking at us as a complete warmup game. If we pull this off it will be the biggest win for the program since NC State in 2006.

[ZachTheZip]

All I'll say is that UCF's biggest weakness is the defensive secondary.

[Captain Kangaroo]

So many new faces...so many new, key guys without even a spring practice to learn the system...it will be tough to legitimately expect much from Game #1.

But talent-wise we are several notches above last season. If the OL can do a serviceable job, we have a puncher's chance to pull it off.

D-line will be solid and deep. LB might be our biggest strength. And I like our corners. Defensively I don't have many concerns.

Offensively...QB and WR are fine. Chisholm should be good for 100+ yards rushing in game one. But how soon can the 5th/6th year transfers gel on the OL? To me, that's the biggest question mark. Give Pohl time, and he'll deliver the goods.

Kyle Pohl is The Truth.

[K92]

Here is a projected depth chart for the Knights.

When do you suppose we might see one of these for the Zips?

[Captain Kangaroo]

When do you suppose we might see one of these for the Zips?

I say - "Keep 'em guessing!"

[skip-zip]

I'll take.......

1) A competitive game for at least a half (Tennessee 2012 would be awesome).

2) An opportunity to see some new people play, and get everything organized for the following week's blowout of James Madison.

Half: UCF-24 Akron-17

Final: UCF-42 Akron-20

[Zipmeister]

Zips by 14.

[LZIp]

Feel great about our offense. Only concern is the defense, being that UCF ran all over us last year. We've improved a ton there. I'll say we lose by 7.

[Balsy]

Zips by a fieldgoal.

[72 Roo]

Zips put up great effort but lose 38-17.

[ZachTheZip]

UCF board. Couple of posts, but not much. They're viewing this as a scrimmage to overlook.

[Balsy]

UCF board. Couple of posts, but not much. They're viewing this as a scrimmage to overlook.

Somebuddy made a 56 - 6 prediction? Seriously?

[OldZipFan]

Zips can win if they can cut down on the turnovers, and can tackle.

[Jalapeño Zippy]

Ah, but they've started an official look-a-like thread.

[Ham]

I'm with Balsy: Zips by 3! I seem to remember that we gave them 3 TD's last year. I don't see that happening this year. It looks like our D will be hard to run against and we have some people who will actually get to the QB. If Zack is right, and our revamped O line comes together, we will control the ball and put up some points. And down the stretch, our depth will keep us from wilting in the tropical conditions.

[legendofzippy]

I'd love to see an upset, but UCF in a home opener, under the lights, ESPN game (can we call it that?).... I don't see it. 35-20 UCF.

Hopefully D looks better and Pohl can show something. I'd say UCF is right now where we want to be in a few years.

[johnnyzip84]

While it’s true we gifted them a few early TDs, the Knights were one of the few teams in 2012 that pretty handily controlled both lines of scrimmage against the Zips right from the beginning of the game. They presented a difficult, physical match-up without any fatigue factor. And with two returning all-conference O-linemen (and another returning starter plus a talented transfer), they should be physical again in 2013. I do believe UA’s defensive depth will make this a much closer game this year, but I think Blake Bortles, Storm Johnson and company are talented enough to still put plenty of points on the board.

I also think the Zips will be able to score a few, making this the most entertaining opener in a long time. I think we’ll see more of the up-tempo style that we saw early in 2012, now that depth is not as much of a concern. KP16 should have a respectable game, spreading the ball between lots of receivers. We’ll see plenty of hopeful signs, but in the end the Zips will come up a little short:

UCF 38

UA 27

Please prove me wrong, Zips!

[Captain Kangaroo]

Ah, but they've started an official look-a-like thread.

I enjoy any look-alike thread that doesn't include a "Webster," "Arnold Drummond" or a "Predator" pic. If you ever think to post those in such a thread...just don't.

The Caponi/Chumlee one is my favorite.

[UA1987]

If I hear one word about Akron being smaller than UCF on ESPN3 then we know the game announcers did not even look at the rosters. We match up pretty good and are actually bigger than them on the offensive line. Their receivers are not giants either so that makes me more comfortable with our secondary. I think we may be in this one late and then anything can happen. Could be a screaming win or a difficult heart breaker. Either way, I say this one is closer than most people think and may depend on one of the old cliches: turnovers, special teams, or penalties.

[Zipmeister]

If I hear one word about Akron being smaller than UCF on ESPN3 then we know the game announcers did not even look at the rosters. We match up pretty good and are actually bigger than them on the offensive line. Their receivers are not giants either so that makes me more comfortable with our secondary. I think we may be in this one late and then anything can happen. Could be a screaming win or a difficult heart breaker. Either way, I say this one is closer than most people think and may depend on one of the old cliches: turnovers, special teams, or penalties.

I believe someone could make some serious money taking the points in this game.

[mes102]

Didn't see anyone post these links yet from UCF's message board, so i'll post them here.

Akron Zips preview

Official Akron Score Prediction Thread

Someone posted this on the one thread.

EngAlum98:

UCF 52

Akron 6

When I watched their spring game highlights on youtube, it felt like just about every pass the QB threw was going to get picked off. I expect a defensive pick 6 and a special teams TD in this one.

Must of watched the 2012 spring game highlights instead of the 2013 spring game highlights. Because it did look that way in the 2012 one.

[Zipgrad01]

No, they watched the right spring game. The quarterback play was awful, but most of the highlights were from walk-ons that aren't even on the team anymore.