QB Rob Calabrese leads UCF in the semester’s first test

It's the start of another UCF football season, and this season is one of promise. The Knights return weapons on both sides of the ball and only two positions have questions, one of which is at quarterback. Junior signal-caller Rob Calabrese gets the nod over true-freshman Jeffrey Godfrey and looks to lead the Knights to victory over South Dakota.  

UCF will win if…

It avoids self-destruction. This is a Football Championship Series team still and UCF needs to come out and show dominance. If the offense can execute its game plan, which is to control the clock with the running game, then they should wear down a weak Coyotes defense. USD lost its entire defensive line and two backup linemen, so Jonathan Davis, making his first start at running back for the injured Brynn Harvey, should have holes to run through.

The defense should look to shut down the run and make USD one-dimensional. If they can make Dante Warren, an inexperienced quarterback, try to beat them, the Knights will be very successful, especially seeing how USD's offensive line is depleted with the loss of three seniors last season.  Defensive ends Bruce Miller and David Williams will look to get into the backfield and create mistakes to allow Josh Robinson and the Knights talented secondary to make plays.

South Dakota will win if…

They get ahead early. South Dakota averaged close to 35 points-per-game last year, albeit against weak defenses. If they can connect with some deep passes or explosive runs and put the Knights in a hole early it can take Coach George O'Leary out of his comfort zone in play calling and force him to make Calabrese and the Knights' passing game to attempt to beat the Coyotes.

Also, USD's strongest part of their defense is their depth at linebacker. They return seven linebackers, and if they can make UCF predictable and eliminate the run, they have a good chance at beating the Knights. Calabrese is still inexperienced for the Knights and it is still undetermined if he can single-handedly beat a team with his arm.

The last time they played…

This is the first meeting between the schools.

Keep an eye out for…

Defensive end Bruce Miller.

Miller, the nation's leader in both career sacks with 27 and career tackles for loss with 44,  is C-USA's reigning Defensive Player of the Year, and going into this year was voted C-USA's top prospect for the NFL Draft by Lindy's preseason poll.

Key stat

The Knights return 17 starters from a defense that lead C-USA in total defense, rushing defense, scoring defense, sack and tackles for loss. UCF was fourth in the nation last fall in rushing defense, topped only by BCS bowl participants Texas, Alabama and TCU.

Noteworthy

Bruce Miller needs only 4.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss to set UCF career records.