Konference Kombat: UCF VS. Southern Miss
Uh…What? Where? When?: University of Central Florida Knights vs. University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles. M.M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Saturday, November 12th @ 8:00 PM
Overall Record: Knights 1, Golden Eagles 5 (2005-2010)
Last Meeting: 11/13/2010 - Knights lose , 21-31
I remember my first college football game. It was like this, but without paint. And it was a lot of fun.
Opponent’s weirdest school tradition: Painting the Eagle Walk. “Every fall before the first home football game, freshmen gather to give the Eagle Walk a fresh coat of gold paint, transforming Eagle Walk Drive into a street of gold beneath the east side of M. M. Roberts Stadium.” Oh cute. So you guys still play with sidewalk chalk and stuff over there? While the rest of America is using their first football game to rage harder than a Vancouver riot, you guys are playing hopscotch and finger painting. Sweet. Well, while you trace your friends shadow to the road, I’m going to eat ten burgers and maybe hit a beer funnel of four. Let me know how your stuff goes.
Former hottest body in student body: Trishelle Cannatella. Oh, Trishelle. Maybe I can’t even begin to pronounce or spell your name. Maybe you’ve been in too many reality television shows for my taste. Maybe it makes me a little sad inside that you were in a William Hung music video. Maybe it makes me a lot of sad inside that you were in a movie called Ninja Cheerleaders. Actually, that sounds pretty sweet. I take that back. Whatever the case, I’m willing to accept all of your flaws and wife you.
Outlook: The Knights are still picking up the pieces from a heart breaker at home last week, as a loss to Tulsa seems to have ended any C-USA title hopes for UCF. Things aren’t looking easier either, as Orlando’s own packs up and heads to hostile territory to meet a longstanding rival in the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. Southern Miss has historically given UCF hard time, taking 5 of 6 contest since the Knights joined the conference in 2005. Not only that, but Southern Miss is riding a seven game win streak and is enjoying its best season in years, currently tanked #25 in the latest rankings. Southern Miss has found success by being well balanced on both sides of the ball; the Golden Eagles sport an offense ranked 17th in the FBS with 37.6 points per game, and a defense that’s ranked 19th averaging 19.6 points allowed. Southern Miss’s quarterback Austin Davis has played an integral part in his team’s success, throwing 16 touchdowns and only four interceptions over the past seven games. His supporting cast is lead by a talented backfield, lead by Jamal Woodyard and Kendrick Hardy. Both backs are approaching 500 yards on the season, and are averaging well over 5 yards a carry. Furthermore, Southern Miss’s running core has been without Desmond Johnson for most of the season, their main weapon…until now; Johnson made his return last week against ECU and will play against the Knights this weekend.
Key to victory: Times could be better for the UCF Nation. Last week’s loss was a tough pill to swallow. Still no word of a conference swap. The athletic department is making the papers for all the wrong reasons and to cap it all off, the Knights have to go on the road to face one of their toughest opponents in the conference. Oh, those damn Golden Eagles. How we despise them. Maybe we are out of a conference title. We may or may not make a bowl game. Yeah, the nation is giving us dirty looks for what’s been going on in the front offices. However, the one thing that would make all of that feel a little better would be to stomp Southern Miss out of the top 25 on their own home turf. We know our season is looking rough, but at this point, we’re just here to %^$& &^#$ up. Southern Miss was held to just 299 yards and and held the ball for less than 24 minutes last week against ECU, something that UCF’s high-octane defense should be stoked about. If UCF’s offense can turn things around and put some points on the board, we could see a very satisfying upset in Hattiesburg Saturday night. You better have your door guy ready Southern Miss. Ask Houston how we roll….we’re crashing this top 25 party.
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.
Follow him on Twitter: @DeAugieDogie
