Both the UCF Knights and Stanford Cardinal had inflated expectations heading into the 2015 regular seasons -- expectations which got doused with a bucket full of reality with frustrating opening losses last week. Both teams will be looking to bounce back in resounding fashion on Saturday. Who'll get their ultimate wish of a much-needed win? Here's our game preview & prediction.
Stanford Outlook:
Stanford's defense did an admirable job in an attempt to save the offense in last Saturday's 16-6 loss at Northwestern, but they just couldn't match up to the Herculean job tasked to them.
The Cardinal's offense was putrid in every facet, scoring just 3 points and amassing just 176 yards following a promising opening drive which ended in a field goal.
"There's so much room for improvement," Stanford QB Kevin Hogan said. "Everyone would tell you we could have done so many things differently, so many things better. That's the mindset we need. People need to recognize the need for improvement and growth. It was a good lesson for week one."
If Stanford can't rush that growth process against an incensed UCF squad, things could easily go to Code Red in Palo Alto.
UCF Outlook:
The Knights squandered a 14-3 halftime lead in their season opener, losing 15-14 to Florida International and snapping a 10-game home winning streak. UCF was held scoreless and helpless in the second half and STILL had a chance to salvage things with a game-winning 47-yard field goal which ended up being blocked in the final seconds.
"It opened our eyes," H-back Cedric Thompson said. "Sometimes you may get a little too confident, and the loss really let us know where we're at, and what we have to do to get better. Whenever you lose a game, you obviously don't go into it expecting to lose, so it was just very eye-opening for us."
Considered by many to be a non-Power Five power on the level of Boise State heading into the season, UCF is left to figure out its offense against one of the more talented front sevens west of the Rockies.
What To Watch:
Both defenses are humming along fine, so this'll be a clash of just which offense can get out of its own way for the longest period of time. Keep an eye on Kevin Hogan. He's bore the brunt of the criticism after Stanford's opening loss and there's a solid chance he'll transfer that to productive anger in Stanford's season opener.
Prediction: Stanford wins 20-14
This is going to be football trench warfare at its ugliest. Stanford has the relative edge being at home in what should be a no-nonsense, field-position driven contest by the Bay.
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