The University of Central Florida Golden Knights will bring their undefeated record into the 2019 Fiesta Bowl. Central Florida will meet their second consecutive SEC team in a bowl game when they take on the LSU Tigers. UCF was able to beat Auburn a season ago, and LSU will be looking to get some revenge for the SEC in this game.
UCF finished off their second consecutive undefeated regular season with an undefeated record. The Golden Knights were able to beat Memphis in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game and enter as the eighth-ranked team in the polls. LSU finished the regular season with a 9-3 record, but never really challenged the top SEC teams. LSU is a seven-point favorite over UCF in this game.
Backup QB Leading UCF
The Golden Knights enter this game with backup quarterback Darriel Mack Jr. leading them. Mack was forced into action when superstar McKenzie Milton was lost for the season with a gruesome injury. Mack has thrown just two touchdowns this season but has run for six rushing touchdowns. UCF is averaging 44.2 points per game this season, but their offense will be tested with a backup QB.
Look for UCF to use their running game as a way to take some pressure off of their defense. The Golden Knights gave up just 21.3 points per game this season, but they haven’t faced the type of athletes that LSU has. Running back Greg McRae is averaging an incredible 9.0 yards per rush this season, and he will likely be a huge key in this game. If UCF can establish their running game against LSU, they will have a chance at a second straight upset.
LSU Defense Must Show Up
The strength of the LSU team has been the defense, and they must show up for this matchup against UCF. LSU allowed just 20.9 points per game this season, but their defense will be tested in this game. Linebacker Devin White leads LSU with 115 tackles this season, but that secondary is full of future NFL stars. Look for the athletes of LSU to wreak some havoc against UCF in this game.
Quarterback Joe Burrow leads a balanced offensive attack for LSU that averaged over 34 points per game this season. Burrow has thrown for 2,500 yards and 12 touchdowns, but the Tigers will likely look to run in this game. Running back Nick Brossette has scored 14 rushing touchdowns this season and is averaging 4.4 yards per carry. LSU struggled to score points against the top SEC defenses, but they have plenty of weapons to score against UCF.
Tigers End Golden Knights Run
UCF stunned Auburn a season ago en route to a perfect 13-0 season. The LSU Tigers know that the pressure is on them to make sure that the SEC doesn’t lose to UCF for a second straight season. LSU has a ton of future NFL stars on defense, and they should be able to dominate in this game. UCF has had a terrific run over the last two seasons, but their long winning streak will end in this game. Bet the LSU Tigers -7.0 over the UCF Golden Knights in the Fiesta Bowl.
