Breaking it down: schedule

Sept. 2 vs. Charleston Southern

Analysis: The Knights open up the season against the Buccaneers of the FCS Big South. Charleston Southern struggled last season, finishing 3-8. This is the first meeting between the two teams. Like the Knights, the Bucs have a dynamic, young quarterback who can make plays and change the game.

Prediction: Win. The Knights are going to be just too athletic for Charleston Southern. More importantly, they are focused and appear to not be overlooking this game. UCF wins big.

Sept. 10 vs. Boston College

Analysis: This is the second time the Knights will face the Eagles, with Boston College having taken the first game in Boston in 2008. Things should look a little different this time around, though. Despite being a BCS program from the ACC, the Eagles struggle in a few areas, most notably offense.

Prediction: Win. This will be a great opportunity for the Knights to improve upon their lackluster record against BCS teams. Despite the fact that this contest is, in all likelihood, the big home game this year, the Eagles are a very beatable team and if the Knights can move the ball and avoid three-and-outs, they should take this game.

Sept. 17 @ Florida International

Analysis: Despite starting off 0-4 last season, the Golden Panthers finished strong in 2010, making a bowl appearance in the Little Caesars Bowl, beating Toledo and finishing 7-6. This is the first meeting between the two programs, and this contest should be all about the Knights' defense and what kind of problems they can make for FIU. Last year, the Panthers were one of the better teams in the country at running the ball, ranking No. 27 at 187.5 yards per game on the ground.

Prediction: Win. But that's not to say this game might not be surprisingly tough. This one will be circled on FIU's calendar and, with BYU on the horizon, the Knights will have to do their best to stay focused. UCF wins in a tight one.

Sept. 23 @ Brigham Young

Analysis: The Knights play their first weekday game of the season at BYU, and it will be broadcast on ESPN. It's the first meeting of the two teams that were both led by true freshmen quarterbacks last season. BYU was nothing special last season, finishing 7-6, but it is always tough going on the road against the Cougars. A big factor could be how BYU does in their first three games, a brutal stretch against Ole Miss, Texas and Utah.

Prediction: Loss. But this one could just as easily be a win. BYU is a tough place to play, but at the same time, if the Cougars drop their first three games, they could be too deflated to compete with the Knights. My guess, though, is that if the Knights are going to falter early in the season, it will be here.

Oct. 8 vs. Marshall

Analysis: The Knights will be well rested and returning home after a bye week to face the Thundering Herd. UCF is 6-3 all-time against Marshall, and it beat the Herd 35-10 last season on the road. No reason the Knights shouldn't handle their business again this season.

Prediction: Win. UCF comes home after two games on the road and a bye week and wins big.

Oct. 15 @ SMU

Analysis: The Mustangs will be looking forward to this one following last year's loss to the Knights in the Conference USA title game. The Knights lead this series 3-0. Make or break could end up being how UCF's secondary plays, because SMU quarterback Kyle Padron is a beast and one of the better quarterbacks the Knights will face this season.

Prediction: Win. Despite Padron's efficiency, the Knights' depth on defense should afford them the opportunity to throw some different schemes and different looks at the Mustangs. Knights win a tight one.

Oct. 20 @ UAB

Analysis: Five days after their game at SMU, the Knights will be at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala., taking on the Blazers. The lack of rest and time for preparation could definitely hurt the Knights. On the other hand, UCF is 7-1 all-time against UAB, and the Blazers had one of the worst defenses in the country last season.

Prediction: Win. Knights go to UAB and win big, building momentum as they prepare to head down the stretch.

Oct. 29 vs. Memphis

Analysis: The Knights are 6-1 all-time against Memphis, and Jeff Godfrey had his way with the Tigers last season in a 37-17 win. Fact is, last year the Tigers were just flat out awful. And while they couldn't have gotten much worse and probably have improved a bit, it shouldn't be enough.

Prediction: Win. Big. Knights again return home after two road games, and they should be excited and ready to destroy Tigers. UCF wins by a lot.