Take Five Breakdown: Florida-Central Florida Preview

Please Read: Welcome to the new-look Inside the Gators

• Orange & Blue Board Insider Eugene Wilson
• Billy Napier Wednesday Press Conference Updates
• September Superlatives
• Grading the two-deep defensive depth chart
• Grading the two-deep offensive depth chart
• Florida Football 3-2-1: How will Lagway be utilized going forward
• Recruit Reaction: I loved the tight end play
• OTM: Is there a path to a fourth year
• Ranking UF’s commits from least to most likely to jump ship
• What names are on your Coaching Hot Board

Florida has a chance to be over .500 for the first time this season after coming off a bye week. The Gators face the 3-1 UCF Knights who are coming off an embarrassing 48-21 loss to the Colorado Buffalos. To get a better feel for the Knights, Inside the Gators caught up with Kyle Nash of the Black and Gold Banneret for a full preview

Five UCF Knights to Know

RJ Harvey, Running Back, Redshirt Senior

• The Gators have one of the best running backs coming to town in RJ Harvey. The Senior has the most touchdowns and has scored the most points this season in the Big 12. Last time out, the running back earned 77 yards on the ground as well as 92 in the air, one of which was a 75-yard wheel route touchdown. “There is a reason last week Deion Sanders said he was going to ‘cram the box and pray Harvey was in it,’” Nash said. The Buffalos held the Senior to his only under 100-yard performance this season.

KJ Jefferson, Quarterback, Fifth Year

• Florida knows KJ Jefferson all too well after his 347 total yards and three touchdowns in Arkansas’ overtime win against the Gators last season. Now, the fifth-year senior is in Orlando playing in a “system better designed for him,” Nash said. Jefferson did struggle against the Buffalos being sacked five times, throwing three interceptions, and fumbling the football which led to a 95-yard touchdown for the Colorado defense. It’s going to be a close game, and Jefferson will have to show that he can lead his team to victory.

Kobe Hudson, Wide Receiver, Fifth Year

• Although he isn’t getting as many looks, Kobe Hudson is averaging 23.3 yards per reception. Against TCU, the receiver brought in six receptions for 145 yards and two touchdowns. Heisman frontrunner Travis Hunter did shut him down though, holding the senior to just two receptions for 39 yards. “He may not have the same amount of yardage numbers as he did last year, but he has a high percentage of coming in with one-on-one contested catches,” Nash said. Hudson’s matchup against Jason Marshall Jr. will be something to keep an eye on Saturday night.

Ricky Barber, Defensive Tackle, Fifth Year

• The Knights like to sure up their defensive line and Ricky Barber is the perfect fit. Although he hasn’t had the strongest start to the season, he is looking to replicate his 2022-23 season where he made 49 total tackles, earned nine tackles for loss, and brought the quarterback down three times. “They look to take away the inside, and Ricky Barber is the key to that,” Nash said. Against a poor Gator offensive line, Barber could potentially get back on track and have a successful season.

Braeden Marshall, Cornerback, Sophomore

• Local kid Braeden Marshall is a solid DB. The sophomore can run with tough receivers in coverage. Against Colorado, he had five total tackles and defended a pass. “I know you’ll hear a lot about the linebackers making plays, and I think a lot of it is because the outside is typically shut down by Braeden Marshall,” Nash said. With all the talented receivers at Florida’s disposal, it will be interesting to see who Marshall lines up against.

Five Fast Facts

• Since Gus Malzahn joined UCF in 2021, he has had a healthy quarterback heading into the second road game of the season only twice.

• Last time out, Florida fell to UCF 29-17 in the Gasparilla Bowl in 2021.

• Central Florida’s RJ Harvey can be tied with the third most touchdowns from scrimmage in school history with 33 if he finds the endzone against the Gators.

• Last time Florida played UCF at home was in 2006. The Gators shut out the Knights 42-0.

• Florida has never played at UCF. The first two matchups (1999 and 2006) were in the Swamp and the Gasparilla Bowl (2021) was played in Tampa.

Five Game Day Storylines

Missed opportunity to ascend little brother mentality if UCF doesn’t win

• When you think about the best college football programs in the state of Florida, you think of Florida, Florida State, and Miami. UCF joined the Big 12 in 2023, hoping to grow the school’s reputation and compete against tougher opponents. “They are starting to look for that ascent as a Power Conference school,” Nash said. Central Florida must prove they aren’t little brother, but a school that can compete with the big boys.

KJ Jefferson is back after causing havoc last year

• The Gators have proven that they cannot stop a mobile quarterback. Cam Ward picked Florida apart to start the season. Marcel Reed, a backup quarterback, rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown. Going back to last season, Florida essentially did not make a bowl game because of the loss to Arkansas, finishing the season with a five-game losing streak. KJ Jefferson should have all the confidence in the world returning to the Swamp Saturday. The Gators know what he can do, witnessing it firsthand. But can they stop him?

Real battle in the trenches

• It is fair to say that Florida’s defensive line has not had a great season so far. This season the Gators are tied for 11th place in the SEC with eight sacks. Losing Jamari Lyons before the season was a huge blow. Florida does have a chance to get its defensive line some momentum this week as UCF’s O-line struggled against Colorado. They allowed 13 tackles for loss and five sacks. Was it a one game mishap, or can the Gators take advantage and get to the quarterback?

Pressure Lifted From Napier

• With Florida heading into the bye week with a win and Lane Kiffin losing to Kentucky, the pressure has seemed to cool off on Billy Napier for the time being. Now, Napier and the Gators have the chance to go over .500. This is probably the last chance for quite some time as Florida faces No. 5 Georgia, No. 2 Texas and No. 13 LSU back-to-back-to-back games in November.

Long Regular Season Drought of SEC Opponents

• This is the first time since 2016 that the UCF Knights are facing a SEC team during the regular season. Last time out, the Knights lost 31-14 against South Carolina. Since then, they have played SEC school teams three times in bowl games, winning two (2017 Auburn, 2021 Florida) and losing one (LSU 2018).

Prediction

• Joseph Torviso: UCF – 24 – 20
• Kyle Nash: UCF – 27-14 “Take the Under!”

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