– Last Updated on November 21, 2022 4:08 pm
Free Week 1 Prediction: Bulldogs vs Knights Odds
Looking for South Carolina State Bulldogs vs. UCF Knights free picks? Week 1 College football betting sees the Bulldogs taking on the Knights Saturday, Sept. 3 at Bright House Networks Stadium, Orlando, Florida. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football predictions.
Week 1
SC State (0-0) vs. UCF Knights (0-0)
Date: Saturday, September 3
Time: 4:00 PM ET
Venue: Bright House Networks, Orlando, FL
NCAA Football Spread: OFF (as of Wednesday 9 pm ET)
NCAA Betting Total: OFF (as of Wednesday 9 pm ET)
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The UCF Knights have one thing going for them this season: It literally can’t get any worse.
UCF went 0-12 last season, but new head coach Scott Frost is now roaming the sidelines hoping to turn things around. Fans are also hoping he can turn things around, although they did receive the ultimate compensation in free beer last season.
The Knights open up their 2016-17 campaign with a home contest against the South Carolina State Bulldogs.
South Carolina State Bulldogs
South Carolina State went 7-4 last season. They began with a 2-3 record, but then won three straight and eventually five of their final six contests.
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This season, the Bulldogs bring back quarterback Adrian Kollock Jr. He tossed for 1,723 yards last year. His success is going to be what sparks team success as South Carolina looks to establish a consistent running game with an inexperienced backfield.
Against UCF, the gameplan will be to slow down an offense that should not only be improved but will play at a much faster pace than last season.
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Players such as linebacker Darius Leonard will be in charge of slowing down that offense, specifically keeping an eye on the opposing quarterback.
The good news, however, if you’re rooting for the Bulldogs is that their offense is more talented at this juncture. SC State has a good shot in this one if it can avoid turnovers and play disciplined offensively.
UCF Knights
The numbers for UCF last season tell the whole story when it comes to their winless campaign.
- 13.9 points per game
- 37.7 points per game allowed
- 187.2 passing yards per game (97th)
- 81.3 rushing yards per game (121st)
- 264.9 passing yards allowed per game (104th)
- 199.2 rushing yards allowed per game (93rd)
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With Frost now in charge, the hurry-up offense will be in effect. Will he be able to re-create the blur offense that was a Ducks staple during his time at Oregon? Of course not. But certain elements will translate and the Knights will be better off for it.
As SC State coach Buddy Pough put it when asked how to prepare for UCF’s new offense, “Pray.”
This first contest against the Bulldogs is a must-win. The Knights can’t overlook any opponent this season considering the lack of success they found last year, but that especially holds true against an FCS program.
The tendency is to look past FCS programs with bigger programs on the horizon, but UCF doesn’t have that luxury with a new head coach looking to get the program its first win since the 2015 season.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
- UCF is 2-11 ATS in its last 13 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of UCF’s last 6 games at home
Free Week 1 NCAA Football Prediction
UCF looks like it could be a three- or four-win team this season. That should start off successfully with a victory over FCS SC State.
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The catch will be looking at what the line is set at once it comes out. I’d expect it to be high in UCF’s favor over an FCS program, meaning the Knights will likely take an ATS loss despite earning a SU win.
Week 1 Free Score Prediction: UCF 24 – SC State 13
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