By: Mike Anthony

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

A handful of ‘Group of Five’ teams have been able to make runs that put them into the national title discussion over the years but the 2018 edition of Central Florida will be the first of its kind since the Boise State squads of the mid-2000’s with a legitimate shot of making a second consecutive Cinderella run.

The Golden Knights checked off nearly every box in the ‘exciting dark-horse’ checklist last season. They had a young, explosive, dual-threat quarterback. They had a young head coach with name recognition. They had one of the most explosive and high-scoring teams in the country. And they had a linebacker with only one hand who was better than 99 percent of other collegiate defenders with two hands.

That took care of all of the talking points but UCF also backed it up with its play on the field, rolling to the only perfect record in FBS.

But now everything resets back to 0-0. Scott Frost and his staff set sail for Nebraska while NFL draftee Shaquem Griffin and some other key components from last season are gone.

Many G5 titans would be set up for a big fall with those losses but the Knights are still set up for more success.

The key to bridging the winning streak into the new season will focus on quarterback McKenzie Milton. Pressed into action as a freshman in 2016, Milton had a trial by fire that prepared him for a 2017 campaign that saw him put up over 4,500 yards of total offense. Still just a junior, Milton has already proven to be a leader that can will his team to wins.

Also providing a potential path to more success is a schedule that bodes well for the Knights.

Of Central Florida’s two games against Power Five schools, both are very winnable. The Knights take on a North Carolina squad that was just slapped with 13 suspensions midway through September and will host a Pittsburgh team that isn’t projected to be much of an ACC contender to close out the month.

Looking at UCF’s American Athletic Conference schedule brings more good news.

Those stepping up to fill holes in the depth chart will face the conference’s weaker teams throughout the first two months of the season, with the Knights’ biggest division rivals filling out the month of November.

There is enough continuity on both sides of the ball to believe that the Knights can contend again this season but the biggest question will be how the team adjusts to an overhaul on the coaching staff.

Taking the reins of the program after the departure of Frost is former Oklahoma quarterback Josh Heupel. The 2000 AP Player of the Year didn’t accomplish much in the NFL but began his coaching career at Oklahoma in 2004 and has been rising ever since.

Heupel coached Sam Bradford to a Heisman trophy at Oklahoma and worked his way up to offensive coordinator. He spent a year each at Utah State and Missouri before landing what is his first head coaching gig.

There are sure to be some growing pains with new starters and a new coaching staff but there is no reason to think that the Knights aren’t a contender for another AAC title and – with a little luck – another run at a New Year’s Day bowl.

After all, if UCF can go from 0-12 to 13-0 in just two years, anything seems possible.