UCF can build on Michigan Loss/Maryland Preview

Quarterbacks: 

Hey remember when I said Milton should start and people scoffed at that idea? Oops. Well here's why: UCF's quarterbacks completed 6 passes on Saturday. 6 for 56 yards, Holman and Patti were utter disasters. In fact I neither one of them either is a quarterback. They are athletes masquerading as quarterbacks. It's not just the fact that these two struggled against Michigan, it's the fact that they looked rattled. They were more comfortable running the ball than throwing. Take for instance Patti, who helped march UCF down the field in the second half, but on multiple occasions missed easy throws. Look at the play where Patti came in after Holman's injury, Frost called for a pass in the slot to Jordan Franks. Patti completely overthrew Frank's, which cost UCF points. Patti and Holman prefer to bail out on plays than stay in the pocket. 

Even if Holman is healthy, I think UCF needs a different starter in as quarterback against Maryland. Nor should Patti. So who should? Well the true freshman that I wrote about a few months ago. The quarterback of the future no one that all the coaches have been raving about. That is Mckenzie Milton. Yes, he is a true freshman and has played in the system only since July. But listen to Scott Frost's press conference on Monday. He raved about Milton. How Milton had "the It Factor". Yes, McKenzie is not used to the pace of the college game. But it's time to try something different. To spring Milton on Maryland may actually be better than trotting out Holman or Patti. 

Running backs:

Where as the pass game was pathetic, the run game was the direct opposite. Headed into the game, I was so worried that Michigan was going to be able to contain the run against UCF. Especially given that michigan's front 7 is designed to stop the spread run. Yet UCF ran for 275 yards on Michigan, probably the most that wolverines defense will give up this season. Every back that touched the ball excelled. There was Jawon Hamilton(46 yards) proved to be a hard hitting back that would not go down with arm tackles. Then there was Dontravious Wilson who gained 85 yards and a touchdown including a beautiful 34 yard touchdown run. 

But it was Adrian Killins that stole the show for a moment. On a 3rd and long from UCF's own 13 yard line, Killins took the ball and ran 87 yards for a touchdown. Michigan players did not even touch him. That was how fast he was. To embarrass Michigan's defense like that is rare. That will probably be the longest rushing play that Michigan will give up this year. The pairing of Killins with Hamilton is going to be special. 

Special teams:

You blew it

Defense:

Let's talk about the defense. Headed into the Michigan game, everyone knew that  stopping the running attack of the Wolverines was imperative. That if UCF wanted a chance to win the game that they needed to stop the run. Especially after how Chris Evans destroyed Hawaii the week before. UCF needed to stop the run. Needed to force Michigan into throwing the ball. That is why I had no problem with the strategy that Erik Chinander dialed up. In fact I loved it. UCF had to try and make freshman quarterback Wilton Speight beat them. Which he did . Speight threw for 316 yards and 4 touchdowns. That's bad. But here is the thing, Chinander never got out of stacking 8 men in the box. His hyper aggressive defense came back to bite him as Michigan decided to run several playactions that got the defense to bite. Still I liked the aggressive strategy and trying to take Michigan's strength away. 

Michigan only ran for 116 yards against UCF. Yes they did score 2 touchdowns, but that was mostly fullback runs from within the UCF 5 yard line. What was more impressive was the fact that UCF got a push against this big Michigan offensive line. Pittman and Hill managed to push this line back on several occasions. The defense did hit hard and aggressive. The defense got pressure and did take Michigan out of their game plan. If not for special teams blunders and no quarterback to speak of, UCF's defense was good enough to keep the game close. Yes, there are some things that needed to be worked out, but overall UCF's defense has been the most impressive unit in the Frost regime by far. 

Maryland preview:

You know unlike Michigan, I actually think UCF is catching Maryland at a good time. Yes, Maryland has looked impressive in its first two games, but that was against Howard and a likely winless program in FIU. UCF will be the first real test of the Durkin regime. Oh don't get me wrong, Maryland is a good team with talented running backs. And Durkin is going to be a spectacular coach. However, I do not fear Maryland like I did Michigan. I actually think UCF matches up very well with the Terps. The fact that the line has gone down from 9.5 to 8.5 tells me that the sports books believe this as well. And if UCF is able to correct the mistakes from the Michigan game, I can see UCF taking home a significant scalp.

On offense Maryland is like UCF. They do a lot of read option under Durkin. The quarterback is Perry Hills. He has impressed this season with his ability to eliminate turnovers and run on his own. However, in the past he has shown that he is turnover prone as last season he had 13 interceptions to only 8 touchdowns. If UCF can pressure Hills, they can force some turnovers. The key of course will be limiting Hills from taking off on runs. But Maryland has a trio of running backs(Trey Edmunds, Lorenzo Harrison, and Kenneth Goins Jr) that are very talented. Like Michigan last week, UCF needs to stop the run. 

Maryland lost a lot of talent from last year's front seven to the draft. Arguably the two most talented players from the team last season are gone. That showed against FIU as FIU ran against this defense for 202 yards. Durkin himself admitted that the line is a work in progress by moving Brett Kulka to starting defensive tackle. This marks the 5th defensive position out of twelve that has changed this year. It's going to take the Terps time to get used to Durkin's changes and gel. In addition Howard and FIU do not have a offensive player as talented as Wilson, Hamilton, or Killins. This trip of running backs can really do some damage.

Keys to UCF victory:

1. Stop the run

2. Get to Hills early

3. Unleash the trio of running backs