By The Numbers: UCF vs. Georgia Tech

The UCF Knights failed to win the American Conference for the first time in three seasons in 2019, and they’ll open up the 2020 campaign against a Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets team that pulled one of the early upsets of 2020 last Saturday.

The Ramblin’ Wreck went into Tallahassee and spoiled the debut of new Florida State Seminoles coach Mike Norvell with a 16-13 win last Saturday. True freshman quarterback Jeff Sims looked like a promising prospect going 24/35 for 277 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. He was only sacked once, and also rushed 13 times for 64 yards.

Where the Bees excelled was defensively, holding James Blackman and the Noles to just 4.6 yards per pass attempt, and all of FSU to 35 rushes for just 90 yards with three sacks.

The Knights have had at least 10 players opt-out this season including CB Tay Gowan and DT Kalia Davis, as well as backup quarterback Darriel Mack Jr. UCF was 10-3 last season, capped off with a win in the Gasparilla Bowl, with sophomore quarterback Dillon Gabriel returning after 3,653 yards and 29 TD’s in 2019. The Knights dropped three games last season after having lost only one in the previous two campaigns, but still averaged 6.9 yards per play and 43.4 points per game.

UCF Knights (0-0, 0-0 American) vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (1-0, 1-0 ACC)

Where: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA.
When: 3:30 p.m.
TV: ABC

Odds at DraftKings Sportsbook

Spread: UCF -7.5
Total: Over/Under 60.5
Money Line: UCF -295, Miami +230

SP+ Ranking

UCF: 17 (23 offense, 29 defense)
Georgia Tech: 54 (90 offense, 35 defense)

Returning Production

UCF

Overall: 71% (38 of 130 FBS)
Offense: 67%
Defense: 75%
Coaching Staff: New Co-OC/TE coach
Offense: 8 starters returning, including quarterback Dillon Gabriel (12 starts)
Defense: 8 starters returning
Offensive line games started: 39

Georgia Tech

Overall: 84% (2 of 130 FBS)
Offense: 74%
Defense: 94%
Coaching Staff: No changes
Offense: 9 starters returning, 8 QB starts (but freshman Jeff Sims will start)
Defense: 10 starters returning
Offensive line games started: 35+

Team Talent via 247 Sports Composite

UCF: 54th of 130
Georgia Tech: 45th of 130

Championship Odds

UCF: National Champion +5000, AAC Champion +110
Georgia Tech: National Champion +50000, ACC Champion +10000

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL). Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO) or 1-800-BETS OFF (IA). 21+ (18+ NH). NJ/PA/WV/IN/NH/IA/CO/IL only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.