Over the last three years, UCF has won 35 of 39 games, becoming one of the best Group of Five programs in the country. The Knights' opener is their only game against a Power Five opponent during the regular season, and they're eager to shine before a national television audience.
''We've been good, I feel, for the last three to four years,'' linebacker Eriq Gilyard said. ''We've been playing with kind of a chip on our shoulder to prove everybody wrong. This year we're not trying to prove anybody wrong, we're trying to prove ourselves right. We know how good we are.''
The Knights are coming off a bit of a disappointing season by their lofty standards, losing three games - all on the road - by a total of seven points.
Dillon Gabriel, who seized the quarterback job early in his freshman season, said he's far more prepared for those sort of tight games as a sophomore - despite the unusual offseason and a delayed start to the regular season because of the coronavirus pandemic.
''Now I know how to approach them,'' said Gabriel, who threw for 3,653 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2019. ''It feels a lot different. Even with all this uncertainty, I feel confident with our guys.''
The UCF defense hopes to take Sims out of his comfort zone.
While the Knights aren't known for bringing a lot of blitzes, they do play press coverage and look to deny the short and intermediate throws that worked so well for Sims in the opener.
''It's critical for us that we create negative plays, get him into third-and-long situations, and try to put him in uncomfortable situations,'' UCF coach Josh Huepel said. ''That's true with every young quarterback that you play.''
KICKING WOES
The Yellow Jackets are looking to bounce back from a miserable performance in the kicking game.
Freshman Jude Kelley had three kicks blocked by Florida State - two field goals and an extra point - but gathered himself to boot a game-winning 32-yarder in the fourth quarter.
FANS IN THE STANDS
Georgia Tech is allowing a socially distanced crowd of about 11,000 for the game at 55,000-seat Bobby Dodd Stadium.:scared:scared
Fans will be required to wear masks except when their eating or drinking at their seats. Georgia Tech athletic director Todd Stansbury said ushers would be moving through the stands to make sure everyone abides by the mandate.
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