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UCF’s College Football Playoff hopes still have a pulse

By Daniel Stave

TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 03: UCF's Head Coach Josh Heupel and his Knights take the field before the College Football game between the UCF Knights and the South Florida Bulls on November 23, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 03: UCF's Head Coach Josh Heupel and his Knights take the field before the College Football game between the UCF Knights and the South Florida Bulls on November 23, 2018 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 23: Michael Colubiale #86 reacts to McKenzie Milton #10 of the UCF Knights injury during the second quarter against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on November 23, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 23: Michael Colubiale #86 reacts to McKenzie Milton #10 of the UCF Knights injury during the second quarter against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on November 23, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /

2. Appalachian State Mountaineers (SBC) 9-2

Zach Thomas accounted for all three of his team’s touchdowns–two passing and one rushing– in Appalachian State’s 21-10 win over Troy last Saturday. The real difference-maker was the Appalachian State defense, as they limited the Troy offense to 232 yards and forced four turnovers.

The win clinches the Sun Belt East division for the Mountaineers, who will host the inaugural Sun Belt Conference title game this week.

Corey Sutton caught both scoring passes from Thomas, and led the team with five catches and 72 yards. Darrynton Evans was a force on the ground for Appalachian State, crossing the century mark with 108 yards on 20 rushes.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, Appalachian State’s most famous alumni, made the case for moving the Mountaineers back up to the two spot:

Up next: Saturday vs. Louisiana (SBC Championship).

1. Central Florida Knights (AAC) 11-0

UCF completed their second-consecutive undefeated regular season last Friday with a 38-10 win over South Florida. The victory, however, was bittersweet as quarterback McKenzie Milton suffered a gruesome knee injury in the second quarter, that will require reconstructive surgery and left him with nerve damage.

Running back Greg McCrae took over as the catalyst for the Knights’ offense. McCrae ran for touchdowns of 40, 39, and 31 yards after Milton’s injury. He finished with 181 yards on the ground on only 16 carries.

Darriel Mack took over at quarterback for the injured Milton. He’ll need to play his best game AAC Championship Game against Memphis who lost to the Knights earlier this year by one with a healthy Milton. The Knights’ one-point victory was their only win by less than 10 points this season.

If UCF loses to Memphis, their 25-game win streak would be over as would their chances of making a New Year’s Six bowl berth. The winner of Fresno State/Boise State would take the Group of Five spot in that event. If UCF wins and Georgia, Oklahoma and Ohio State all lose, there’s a chance the No. 8 Knights get in the Playoff.

Up next: Saturday vs. Memphis (AAC Championship).

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