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Stanford 31, Central Florida 7

If you were sleeping on the other side of the country and couldn't watch Saturday night's game between Stanford and Central Florida, the sound that woke you up just before midnight was the collective exhale of Nerd Nation as the Cardinal showed that yes, everything just might be okay.

Blogging with the Enemy: Central Florida Knights

The casual college football fan probably wouldn't list the University of Central Florida among the nation's top programs, but that would be a mistake. Yes, they compete in the American Athletic Conference, which feels an awful lot like a VH1 "One-Hit Wonders" countdown special, but the Knights have established themselves as a legitimate football program.

 

There is a small Stanford connection here. UCF head coach George O'Leary was the Notre Dame head coach for five days in 2001 before inconsistencies in his résumé led to his dismissal and the hiring of Stanford coach Tyrone Willingham. O'Leary took the head job at UCF three years later, and since then he's guided the Knights to an 81-61 record, including four conference championships. Only two years ago Central Florida and quarterback Blake Bortles blitzed through the regular season with an 11-1 record, then stunned sixth-ranked Baylor in the Fiesta Bowl.

 

The 2014 season was a bit disappointing, as the Knights opened the seasons with losses to Power 5 opponents Penn State and Missouri, but after winning nine out ten games to close the season, they earned their third straight bowl bid, which was an important moment for the program.

 

It remains to be seen what the 2015 season will bring for the Knights, but like the Cardinal, they started off on the wrong foot with an upset loss in their season opener. UCF lost to Florida International, 15-14, on the first day of the college football year, and they'll be desperate for a win on Saturday night. (Once again, just like the Cardinal.)

 

For a closer look at UCF football, I contacted Tyler Graddy, the sports editor of KnightNews.com, and he agreed to talk some football. Enjoy...