(Photo by Adrian J. Hernandez / New Day Review)
ORLANDO, Fla. – Deep passes, highlight plays, breathtaking catches and explosive runs are just a few of the exciting moments fans can expect on Saturday. That’ll be largely due in part to the two high-powered offenses that will clash in Week 10 action.
Two top-10 offenses will face off on Saturday in Dallas, Texas, when No. 18 UCF (7-0, 4-0 in AAC) takes on Southern Methodist University (6-2, 3-1 in AAC).
“They have weapons on offense, and they’re gonna put up points,” UCF head coach Scott Frost said after practice on Oct. 30. “Our defense has played really well when they’ve had some big challenges in front of ‘em, and we’re gonna need that from ‘em. [SMU’s] a good team.”
The Knights enter the matchup as the No. 1 scoring offense (51.0 points per game) and ranked fifth in total yards (529.7 yards per game). SMU is not far behind in both categories. The Mustangs rank ninth in both points per game (41.5) and yards per game (507.0).
While this will be the first time UCF has faced an offense that is top-10 in both those categories, the Knights’ defense feels it has an advantage compared to most other schools. UCF’s defense practices against the nation’s top offense every week.
“The good news is we play against the No. 1 offense every day in practice,” UCF defensive coordinator Erik Chinander said after practice on Oct. 31. “So, it’s not like we don’t get to see speed. It’s not like we don’t get see great receivers every day. So I’m ready. The kids are ready. And I’m looking forward to this one.”
Both teams excel in the passing game. UCF ranks 15th in passing yards per game (313.1), and SMU is one slot ahead at No. 14 with 319.9 passing yards per game. Those numbers can be mostly attributed to improved play from both quarterbacks.
True sophomore McKenzie Milton ranks No. 1 in college football in completion percentage (72.9), quarterback rating (199.68) and yards per attempt (11.3), as he’s out-gained his 2016 self in yards and touchdowns in three fewer games. As for Mustangs redshirt sophomore Ben Hicks, he’s 20th in completions (175) and 16th in yards (2,305). Both quarterbacks have thrown 19 touchdown passes, tied for 14th-best in the country.
Much of Milton’s great year can be attributed to the help around him. Tre’Quan Smith, Dredrick Snelson and Adrian Killins are all having career seasons. Smith has so far matched his career total with nine touchdowns in 2017 alone, scoring his first-ever rushing touchdown this season, too. Snelson caught two touchdown passes against Austin Peay State University in Week 9, his first multi-touchdown game of his career. Killins has already rushed for 100 more yards and one extra touchdown than his 2016 self in six fewer games, thanks largely due in part to a school-record, 96-yard touchdown run against the Memphis Tigers.
SMU has its fair share of playmakers as well. Courtland Sutton is expected to be drafted in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft. He’s caught 43 passes for 706 yards and nine touchdowns so far this season, averaging 16.4 yards per reception. Trey Quinn, a transfer from the LSU Tigers, has caught a nation-leading 79 passes for 874 yards and seven touchdowns.
Defensive-backs coach Travis Fisher recognizes the threat the Mustangs’ receiving corps presents.
“They got some great receivers over there,” Fisher said after practice on Oct. 31. “They got [Sutton] and [Quinn] and those guys. They also got [James Proche] over there… They got him and [Myron Gailliard] and all those guys. A good group of receivers. They got a good quarterback that can throw the ball. Quick release.
“They got some home run-hitting backs… [Xavier Jones] and those guys, they do a good job of running ‘em between the tackles, and, you know, they put the foot down and go. It’ll be exciting to watch us play against those guys.”
Where the Knights have an advantage on paper, though, is in their defense. Even coming off a game where they allowed a season-high 33 points to an FCS school, UCF still ranks 25th in points allowed per game (19.7) and 33rd in total yards against per game (348.3). The Knights rank nearly 70 spots higher than SMU in both categories, as SMU is 95th in points allowed per game (31.0) and 101st in total yards against per game (439.6).
UCF and SMU kick off on Saturday at 7:15 p.m. at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
For more on the Knights, as two high-powered offenses go head to head on Saturday, follow Ryan Weiss on Twitter at @NDR_RyanWeiss.
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