To get better, improve on 11-3 season and win bigger

The dominos never fell. No, not when Utah went to the Pac-12 and Nebraska joined the Big 10. They didn't fall when TCU moved to the Big East and the conference failed to expand. Texas A&M may join the Southeastern Conference, but it is doubtful much will happen soon after that.

The conference realignment to end all realignment hasn't happened, and the Knights remain in ole' Conference USA.

Knights fans may have lost hope that their team will one day automatically qualify for a BCS bowl game. The UCF Athletics Association may have missed out on the riches found in an automatic-qualifying conference. But what the Knights didn't lose is the chip on the shoulders of the 58,000 strong who make up the UCF student body.

This season is even bigger than the last. Despite what you hear, it's not about THE PATCH, it's not about repeating as conference champions and it's not about selling out Bright House Networks Stadium. Simply put, it's about the Knights getting better. Better than 11-3. Better than Liberty Bowl champions. Better than finishing the season ranked No. 25 in the Bowl Championship Series.

And 11-3? One loss would be a disappointment this season. Liberty Bowl champions? Sure, but winning by more than four points. Finish the season ranked? With one loss or fewer, the Knights are looking at a top-15 finish.

Needless to say, where last season was big, this season is bigger, and every season will continue to get bigger after this one. What I am talking about is momentum — the mistress you love to play with in sports. The Knights have her standing on her doorstep, and they need to take the relationship to the next level by going steady.

Steady. Steady like a machine, executing the game plan week after week, regardless of the opponent. Steady in that they don't witness the rubber band snap in a conference upset to Southern Miss. Steady so that an aura radiates from the black and gold and permeates the conscience of the opposition.

Grab your torch and pitchfork, and join the mob. Grab your rally towel. Grab that ridiculous black and gold wig and your body suit, and witness the momentum at work.

Watch the organized chaos of Jeff Godfrey scrambling for another UCF first down. Watch Ronnie Weaver lower his shoulder into the inadequate defenses of C-USA. Watch Josh Robinson pick off another pass and Darius Nall show quarterbacks who is boss.

Watch for that momentum. Watch it build as the Zombie Nation chants grow louder. Watch it build with the fan base. Watch it build until it is steady like a constant influx of fans into Bright House Networks Stadium.

Watch until the Knights suffer a loss that sucks the air out of the lungs of 58,000 thousand strong.

What happens then?

You come back and watch again, because that is when you'll tell if that momentum is steady and if the fans of Orlando are true and if the Knights – athletes, students and alumni – are better.