Konference Kombat: UCF VS. Memphis

Uh…What? Where? When?: University of Central Florida Knights vs. University of Memphis Tigers. Brighthouse Stadium, Orlando Florida. Saturday, October 29th @ 4:00 PM

Overall Record: Knights 6, Tigers 0. (2005-2010)

“Come at me, bro”

Last Meeting: 11/27/2010- Knights win , 37-17

Opponent’s weirdest school tradition: TOM III. Okay, we get it. You guys are the tigers. But is it really called for to have an actual, predatory cat as your mascot? We’ll admit, it’s kinda cool, but when you’re paying $300,000 to house that bad boy, it starts to lose a bit of its fun. Seriously. You know how much 300K is? That’s like, 50,000 slabs of Charlie Vergo’s ribs, 90 kegs of Ghost River and season tickets for the next 50 years to the Redbirds, all of which I’d rather have on campus than something that could take out a clan of dudes riding elephants. Yeah, think about it. Plus, a quick look at the record book reveals that TOM III’s coming out party was on November 22nd, 2008…..the same day Memphis lost to UCF 28-21. Awk-ward.

Showing school spirit never hurt so good.

Former hottest body in student body: Actress Clare Grant. Graduated from Memphis with a degree in Theater Performance. Married to Seth Green. Did some modeling. Naked. We couldn’t possibly show you that. Google though…

Meow….

Outlook: With a brutal 0-4 away record, the Knights find themselves at a point where they didn’t think they would be this season: Under .500. After a heartbreaking loss to UAB last weekend, UCF’s season just hit the red lights and klaxons. However all is not lost. If there ever was a break to be had this year, this is it; UCF faces another FBS bottom-dweller in the Memphis Tigers. The Tigers have kept their reputation as a basketball school in tact this fall, coughing up a morbid 2-6 record with offensive statistics that rank in the lower half of the NCAA in several categories. The Tigers have had trouble finding the end zone this year, illustrated by the fact that the team’s leading scorer is kicker Paulo Henriques. However, while Memphis is tied in tenth in CUSA for total points scored, they have managed to put up over 30 points in two of their games this season. What’s kept the Tigers down despite that is their defense, which has allowed no less than 28 points in four of their past five games.

Key to victory: After last weekend’s game, it’s very difficult to say anything is in the bag anymore. I mean, UAB? Like, Alabama Birmingham? Like, the guys that haven’t won a game all season? Like, the guys in last place in CUSA? Alas, I digress. Bottom line is, UCF can just as easily drop one to Memphis here just like they did to UAB; it’s going to come to down to whether or not the Knights show up. However, given the fact that this is homecoming and that UCF has been great on home turf, this is the perfect time to turn things around. A W here would be an awesome way to build some confidence back and start the Knights off on an undefeated run for the rest of the season. With that said, I’ll take one good ol’ fashion Memphis BBQ. Just please, hold the turnovers; I’m trying to keep my blood pressure down.

Stephen DeAugustino is an Orlando blogger that loves him some writing, digital media, sports and entertainment.
He also loves Steven Seagal movies, being silly in public and staying hydrated.
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