Dec. 31, 2010
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By Marc Daniels
UCFAthletics.com
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (UCFAthletics.com) - Another chance awaits today. Another opportunity to beat a traditional power. Another chance for the program's first bowl win. A chance to win an 11th game and likely position the team for a preseason top-25 ranking for next season.
There is much to play for today. And for UCF seniors it's the game to cement their mark in the program's history. And speaking of history, it's a chance to win one for the 1999 UCF team that had victory stolen from them with the phantom offensive pass interference at Samford Stadium.
A few UGA mascots later, UCF faces the Georgia Bulldogs once again in today's AutoZone Liberty Bowl. One team is ranked and a conference champion. The other team is trying to get a jump start on 2011 and finish strong despite a 6-6 season.
Georgia started the year 1-4, but the Bulldogs went 5-2 down the stretch and their offense was rolling with redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Murray. They lost three games by seven points or less. They also played four games without their top offensive threat in wide receiver A.J. Green. The Bulldogs went 1-3 in those games.
Meanwhile, UCF has earned its national ranking. Its offense features one of the game's most dynamic quarterbacks in Jeff Godfrey. UCF's defense has been stellar all season long and the Knights sit atop Conference USA in most special teams categories.
There is the theory of which team is more focused and interested. I don't think that applies here. UCF wants its first bowl win. Georgia has stated they view this game as the first game of 2011. Georgia coach Mark Richt knows the critics will grow louder with a loss, so the Bulldogs will come ready to play.
Here's a closer look at the keys for today's game:
UCF's defensive line vs. Georgia's offensive line: Knights fan saw the glaring advantage Rutgers had in the St. Petersburg Bowl last year. UCF got little pressure in that game. They must get to Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray. If Murray gets time to stand in the pocket, he will have a big day. UCF must hit him early and find ways to get Bruce Miller, Darius Nall, Troy Davis and company to the backfield. Georgia's offensive line is big and talented but it did allow 22 sacks this season. UCF knows it must overcome the potential mismatch and get pressure.
UCF's offensive line vs. Georgia's defensive line: UCF needs to run the ball and the line must open holes for that to happen. Georgia will be the biggest defensive front UCF faces all year. They posted 24 sacks and pressure played a role in Georgia intercepting 14 passes this season. Jeff Godfrey is quick, but he can't be forced out of the pocket all day. Jeff will need time to look downfield. Protecting Godfrey is the most critical matchup UCF must win.
Win Special Teams: UCF has done this all season and this game can be no different. The battle of field position is big and the Knights have had the luxury of Quincy McDuffie, Jamar Newsome and Josh Robinson creating shorter fields for the offense. But the Knights must continue to cover kicks as they have. Georgia's Brandon Boykin is averaging 25.4 yards a return and has a 100-yard kickoff return this season.
Tackle A.J. Green: Georgia's talented receiver is NFL bound and could be a top-5 pick. In eight games Green still caught 49 passes and had nine touchdowns. Green will make catches, but UCF cannot allow him to break tackles and turn short gains into long gains.
Get YAC: While containing A.J. Green is important, UCF must get yards-after-catch. Jamar Newsome did a great job in the second half of the season breaking tackles and turning eight yard plays into 28 yard plays. UCF will need a few of these today.
Win Third Down: UCF is converting 52 percent of third downs this season. Georgia was 42 percent. Controlling the clock was something UCF did as good as anyone in the country. The Knights must avoid third and longs and must make third and one an automatic conversion.
Win the First Quarter and Fourth Quarter: Despite going 6-6, Georgia owned people in the first quarter. The Bulldogs outscored their opponents 104-38 in the first 15 minutes. UCF was better. The Knights won the first by a margin of 131-27. In the fourth, Georgia was outscored 85-68, while UCF won the fourth 130-65.
Kick a key field goal: It will happen. Nick Cattoi will be in position to make a big kick. He can make everyone forget a tough season with one big field goal. Meanwhile, Georgia's Blair Walsh was 18-for-21 in field goals this season, although he has only tried one field goal in his last three games.
The Bulldogs had not won fewer than eight games in Mark Richt's previous nine seasons. After an 8-5 season in 2009, expectations were high for this year. The 5-2 finish has made some fans ease their cries for a change. Richt will have to deal with a new athletic director who will have his own vision for the program. But make no mistake, Georgia is talented. They are big on both sides of the ball. Richt is 7-2 in bowl games and Georgia has won five-straight bowl games.
Knights notes and more: Short and simple...GO UCF!!! Final thought: Happy New Year!!!
Marc Daniels' From the Press Box runs several times per month on UCFAthletics.com. Listen to Marc during UCF football, men's basketball and baseball radio broadcasts on the UCF Sports Network. Each weekday, Marc hosts "The Beat of Sports" on ESPN 1080 in Orlando from 9-11 a.m.