The Central Florida Knights: Under-the-Radar Good

Sep 26, 2012

During my college football preparation over the summer, I wrote a Blog article imploring sports investors to focus their bankrolls on Central Florida as I knew the Knights were one of the most experienced teams in the nation with sixteen returning starters.  I also knew that the Knights possessed an outstanding ground attack behind an experienced offensive line that returned 89 career starts.  Through the first three weeks of the 2012-2013 campaign, Central Florida has not disappointed as the Knights are 2-1 SU and ATS, with the lone loss coming to Ohio State on the road.

Central Florida Offense – (8/30/12 – 9/23/12)

  • The Knights are averaging 35.0 points per game, 7.5 yards per pass attempt, 5.8 yards per play and 11.1 yards per point against teams that combine to allow just 6.7 yards per pass play, 5.4 yards per play and 13.3 yards per point against mediocre offensive squads.
  • Overall, Central Florida is 0.8 yards per pass attempt, 0.4 yards per play and 2.2 yards per point better than average offensively this season.

Central Florida Defense – (8/30/12 – 9/23/12)

  • The Knights are allowing a mere 21.7 points per game, 5.3 yards per pass attempt and 4.8 yards per play to teams that combine to average 33.6 points per game, 6.7 yards per pass play and 5.6 yards per play against mediocre defensive squads.
  • Overall, Central Florida is 1.4 yards per pass play and 0.8 yards per play better than average defensively this season.

From a technical standpoint, Central Florida is 20-11-1 ATS at Bright House and has not been installed as a home underdog since 2009 (vs. Houston).  More importantly, the Knights have knocked off a BCS school in each of the last two years, and I expect more of the same this season from head coach George O’Leary’s squad.

Central Florida Knights Sports Pick