Season Predictions: UCF, Florida, FSU and Miami

There may be lower than two weeks earlier than every of the 4 major Florida faculty soccer packages from taking to the gridiron to play their first faculty soccer video games of 2022. Time to debate which groups have success and why.

UCF Knights

Head Coach Gus Malzahn named John Rhys Plumlee the beginning quarterback on Sunday. He might be a dynamic playmaker that can really problem for the crew lead in dashing, to associate with over 2,000 yards passing.

A balanced group of ability gamers will preserve defenses trustworthy, and preserve the chains transferring. Of be aware, working again Isaiah Bowser might be beginning working again that powers the soccer between the tackles, whereas a bevy of receivers led by Ryan O’Keefe present explosive performs.

The veteran offensive line may even be necessary to assist Bowswer and a deep secure of working backs. They may even show to be worthwhile throughout vital moments on the street when crowd noise will change into an element.

The protection has a number of key gamers returning alongside the defensive position, plus the addition of 320-pound nostril guard Lee Hunter after his switch from Auburn. Search for defensive sort out Ricky Barber and defensive ends Josh Celiscar and Tre’mon Morris-Brash to paved the way.

At linebacker, Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste is again to steer the unit that’s going to see a number of new faces like Jason Johnson that transferred from Jap Illinois.

Within the secondary, that’s the energy of the UCF protection. There’s pace, dimension, and expertise alongside the two-deep depth chart. Search for cornerback Davonte Brown to problem for convention Defensive Participant of the 12 months.

Lastly, a schedule that sees many of the proficient groups come to the Bounce Home will assist produce a chance for UCF to achieve the American Athletic Convention Championship Sport and play Houston.

A vital second recreation of the season towards Louisville (Sep. 9) might be pivotal in figuring out simply how good UCF has change into this season. After that, two extra residence video games in American Athletic Convention play will decide whether or not UCF heads to the Convention Championship Sport and certain play Houston.

These video games come towards SMU (Oct. 1) and Cincinnati (Oct. 29). Different video games of be aware have UCF on the street at East Carolina (Oct. 22) and Memphis (Nov. 5).

Projected common season file: 10-2.

Florida Gators

It’s 12 months 1 for Head Coach Billy Napier and his teaching employees, and it’s a rebuild by way of tradition as properly with the roster having turnover after the final employees merely did not preserve the gamers during the 2021 season.

How shortly can the Gators rebuild? A lot of that reply depends upon recruiting, however for the 2022 season there must be gamers who step up on either side of the soccer and change into leaders; gamers that maintain their friends accountable in contrast to the tip of final season.

Huge receiver Justin Shorter ought to be the go-to playmaker on offense when quarterback Anthony Richardson throws the soccer. These two might want to join constantly to permit the Florida offense to maneuver the soccer.

The offensive two-deep is filled with sophomores and juniors. The inexperience might present itself at instances this fall, however these are nonetheless gamers recruited to play within the SEC East. Search for many highs and lows, and general inconsistency. That’s the character of a tradition change with younger gamers.

On protection, the Gators gave up 26.8 factors per recreation final season. Psychological errors greater than a expertise deficiency brought on the problems. Certain, extra expertise is required for the Gator trustworthy to be actually pleased with their squad as soon as once more, however the 2022 defensive unit has edge defender Brenton Cox, Jr. and security Rashad Torrence II, amongst others, which are accessible.

This Florida protection will present consistency earlier than the tip of the season, and it’ll assist the Gators transfer into a brand new period with some pleasure.

The schedule is hard as ordinary, with Utah (Sep. 3) and Kentucky (Sep. 10) coming to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to start the season. The same old SEC slate will not be pleasant, with Tennessee (Sep. 24) on the street, LSU (Oct. 15) at residence and Georgia (Oct. 29) in Jacksonville, plus a street journey to Texas A&M (Nov. 5). 

The season ends in Tallahassee towards Florida State (Nov. 25), an necessary rivalry recreation and one that would shift momentum for one of many two packages.

Projected common season file: 7-5.

Florida State Seminoles

The curler coaster that’s Florida State Soccer has continued since proper earlier than Jimbo Fisher took off for Faculty Station. Now, it’s the vital third season for Head Coach Mike Norvell and his Seminoles. Will they recover from the hump and begin making severe headway?

Quarterback Jordan Travis leads an offense that can have eight starters returning plus a proficient switch in Bless Harris at offensive sort out. If this isn’t the 12 months for high-level manufacturing, it’s laborious to think about when it could be.

Receiver Ontaria Wilson must take his recreation to a different stage after main the Noles with 5 landing catches final season. There are a number of working backs that would make an affect, and tight finish Camrem McDonald is one other veteran that might be a security valve for Travis.

Defensively, the Seminoles have to be extra sound. Too many huge performs got up final season, particularly throughout vital moments.

Beginning defensive tackles Robert Cooper and Fabien Lovett are again, however the Seminoles are hoping for FCS switch Jared Verse to assist a cross rush that misplaced 18.5 of their sacks from final season from simply two gamers.

UCF switch Tatum Bethune will assist to shore up the linebacker corps, whereas the secondary is skilled and proficient. Search for security Jammie Robinson to have an enormous 12 months.

The schedule has potential pitfalls with LSU in New Orleans (Sep. 4) being one of many first intriguing video games of the 2022 faculty soccer season. At Louisville 12 days later, plus three video games of be aware together with Wake Forest (Oct. 1), at North Carolina State (Oct. 8) and Clemson (Oct. 15) will most likely say rather a lot about how a lot FSU improved since final season.

The annual rivalry recreation with Miami (Nov. 5) is on the street, after which the showdown with Florida is at residence.

Projected common season file: 7-5.

Miami Hurricanes

One other recent begin, as Miami turns to one in every of its personal with former offensive lineman Mario Cristobal to show this system round as its new chief. He does have some key items coming again, and that features one of many nation’s finest general gamers with quarterback Tyler Van Dyke.

The proficient sign caller wants his receivers to step up, as final season noticed far too many missed alternatives with dropped passes. At the least there’s some expertise with these gamers, plus beginning tight finish Will Mallory is returning to the lineup.

The offensive line has been a problem lately, however it’s now time for it to be a optimistic issue with left sort out Zion Nelson being one of many nation’s most extremely regarded gamers at his place and certain 2023 NFL First Spherical Decide.

The working backs are banged up, sadly, so Jaylan Knighton might be shouldering the load greater than he already would have, however he’s a NFL expertise himself.

Defensively, the Hurricanes have Mitchell Agude coming over from UCLA and he’s anticipated to steer a defensive position that’s extra constant than final season. Be careful for sophomore defensive sort out Leonard Taylor at defensive sort out. He’s a big-time expertise.

The highest two tacklers from final season – linebackers Waynmom Steed and Corey Flagg, Jr. – return to their beginning roles. They may assist shore up a few of the inexperience alongside the entrance seven.

Within the secondary, it’s a youth motion as properly, however one with loads of expertise. Cornerback Tyrique Stevenson and security James Williams are anticipated to shine for the Hurricanes amongst different proficient members of the defensive backfield.

The schedule has two main hurdles with video games at Texas A&M (Sep. 17) and Clemson (Nov. 19). There’s additionally the house video games with North Carolina (Oct. 8) and one towards FSU (Nov. 5), in addition to the season concluding at residence with Pittsburgh (Nov. 26). The Canes don’t play a proficient North Carolina State crew, in order that softens the ACC schedule.

Projected common season file: 9-3.

2022 UCF Soccer Schedule

2023 UCF Dedication Checklist

Projected UCF Offensive Depth Chart

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