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UCF: Next BCS-buster program?

Sports Editor

Published: Sunday, February 6, 2011

Updated: Sunday, February 6, 2011 16:02

Central Florida Future

I was looking over the top 50 signing day classes over the weekend and I noticed a couple of schools were missing.

I didn't see Big East champion UConn. I didn't see BCS-buster Boise State. I didn't see USF.

But I did see an unfamiliar set of letters: UCF.

I also saw another unfamiliar sight: Miami didn't crack the top 30. Miami — "Tha U" — got out-Miami'd by UCF. While neither school had a five-star recruit, the Knights had more four-star recruits, twice as many signings, and dominated in the area that the 'Canes have always owned: in-state recruiting.

For the first time ever in Florida's rich college football history, UCF has a top-3 recruiting class.  

Maybe the Big East needs UCF more than UCF actually needs the Big East.

Sure, it would be really nice if the Knights could get into an automatic-qualifying conference, but just in case that doesn't happen, it's not the end of the world. UCF doesn't need to be in an AQ conference to work their way into the national spotlight. The Knights are on their way with a combination of last season's success and their top-notch recruiting class.

"The exposure that UCF got from the national TV and bowl games helped," said head coach George O'Leary in a release.

TV exposure definitely helps. So do top-notch athletics facilities that feature the only indoor practice facility in the state. So do luxurious student-athlete housing.

"It's a great testimony to our ability to attract the attention of people out west," O'Leary said. "Then UCF sells itself once people come on campus and see what's available to them here."

Is UCF going to become the next BCS-busting program, such as Boise State, Utah or TCU? Only time will tell.

But in order for UCF to become the next BCS buster, they need to keep winning (even if they only have the chance to play in mediocre bowl games) and keep out-recruiting other top-flight programs.

And maybe paint their field gold.

 

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9 comments

Anonymous
Thu Feb 10 2011 02:05
I'm not trying to be negative here, but these rankings mean nothing. No one knows how these high school kids will play in college. Now they are playing against bigger, faster, and better players than the ones they were beating up on for four years. That goes for all these schools in the rankings. This is 1 of the most overrated things in sports. (college football recruiting class rankings) This means nothing when the games start being played again. We'll see how all these new college freshman play in college. Plus, don't get too over excited UCF people, UCF didn't beat anyone that finished 2010 with a winning record. Look it up!
aaron
Wed Feb 9 2011 15:00
I think, while it may contradict her previous article, the signings on NSD may have opened her eyes to think we don't need BIG EAST to attract recruits. But UCF does need the BE or another AQ to achieve the on field success we all think they can have. So her philosophy may have changed from a personnel standpoint, but UCF does in fact needs the BE or an AQ. Look how long it took Boise and TCU to get to BCS games, but there was no way in hell the NCAA was going to let them play for a title. Even if we win consistantly in CUSA, we will be in the same boat. Thats why TCU is jumping ship while the iron is hot. We may not have as much success to date, but we need to strike while we have Godfrey, Murray, Harvey and the rest of this talented squad. GO KNIGHTS!
Anonymous
Tue Feb 8 2011 20:40
people still think kitchen jokes are funny?
Anonymous
Tue Feb 8 2011 15:54
Is there a reason that you aren't in the kitchen?
Anonymous
Tue Feb 8 2011 13:18
Boise has never had a topranked class. UVA has had several top ranked classes. UNC has had top ranked classes in several recent years. Bottom line- giving out stars to 17 year old high schoolers is a crap shoot (its a little better judging a JUCO player). Recruiting ranks mean pretty much nothing. There are a few recruits nationwide who are pretty much "cant miss". None of them are at UCF. While its fun to look at, you should be careful when writing about the future of your program in regards to how many stars a website gave a 17 year old.
LuckytheGnome
Tue Feb 8 2011 12:24
This contradicts your last article about how UCF NEEDS THE BIG EAST. Can you pick a stance and stay with it. You realize since all the comments here are filtered you are getting saved, but on every UCF related board you are getting ripped apart. Sports with the CFF is falling apart these past semesters. Ive been reading this paper for a while now, and i never thought i'd say this but Please bring back Padrick. At least he put together stuff worth reading. You're not a good writer. you might be a great journalist, but dont specialize in sports. Do the world a favor. Sorry to come off as rude and harsh, but it hasnt been getting better. Your works are going down and getting worse.
Anonymous
Tue Feb 8 2011 11:33
No probably a U of L fan now. We're pissing everybody off. I'm shure that is a good thing though.

Go Knights! Don't go to the Big East!

Anonymous
Tue Feb 8 2011 09:03
OH! Look a USF fan! YAWN.
THAT GUY
Mon Feb 7 2011 20:07
HAAHA, YEAH RIGHT!!

UCF SUCKS, THIS ONE RECRUITING CLASS MEANS NOTHING!!





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