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Cancelled the last two years due to Covid, the Military Bowl is back in 2022. For the seventh consecutive Military Bowl, the game will feature a representative from the ACC and American Athletic Conference. Duke makes their first bowl game appearance since 2018 in Mike Elko’s first year at the school. Central Florida makes their second straight bowl game under Gus Malzahn.
When: Wednesday, December 28th @ 2:00 PM ET
Where: Annapolis, Maryland
Who: Central Florida vs. Duke
Spread & Total: Duke -3; O/U 62.5
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Tale of the Tape: Central Florida Knights
The Knights went as John Rhys Plumlee went this season. 14 touchdowns to seven interceptions through the air, Plumlee also led the team in rushing with 841 yards on 145 carries. Plumlee accounted for 25 of the team’s 55 touchdowns. Central Florida offered a two-headed monster at running back, with RJ Harvey (6.8 YPC) the led back in yards and Isaiah Bowser (14 touchdowns on 194 carries) leads in touchdowns. UCF offensive coordinator Chip Lindsay accepted the same position at North Carolina.
Defensively, it’s a tale of two seasons. UCF didn’t allow over 20 points in their first six games, averaging just 14.3 PPG allowed. They held only one opponent under 20 in the last seven games, a 17-14 loss to Navy. The Knights allowed 28.3 PPG on average the last seven games. Former Knights’ defensive coordinator Travis Williams accepted the same position at Arkansas. Cornerbacks coach Addison Williams was promoted to defensive coordinator.
Transfer Portal Departures:
QB Mikey Keene (Backup)
WR Ryan O’Keefe (73 receptions (leads team), 725 yards, 5 TDs)
LB Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste (52 tackles, third on team)
CB Davante Brown (four pass breakups, two interceptions)
Players to Know:
DL Tre’mon Morris-Brash
All-AAC First Team selection. 53 tackles (13 for loss) ranked second on the team. 6 sacks led the team. Four pass deflections on the year
LB Jason Johnson
All-AAC First Team selection. Leads team with 122 tackles, tied for 6th most nationally. Four tackles for loss. Two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries
Tale of the Tape: Duke Blue Devils
Duke far and away exceeded expectations for first year head coach Mike Elko. They had ten wins in the last three seasons with David Cutcliffe, failing to reach a bowl game in any season. They became bowl eligible shortly after the calendar turned to November with a win over Boston College. With that said, Duke went 1-3 against bowl eligible teams, defeating Wake Forest in the regular season finale.
The offense runs through sophomore and first year starting quarterback Riley Leonard. He leads the team in rushing as well, scoring a rushing touchdown in seven of the last ten games. Duke was the 4th highest ACC scoring team in conference play, trailing only Clemson, Wake Forest, and Florida State.
Defensively, only five other schools have allowed fewer rushing touchdowns than the Blue Devils. Duke allowed multiple rushing touchdowns in just one game (North Carolina). Duke’s pass defense is the third worse in conference, only beating out North Carolina and Wake Forest. 25 passing touchdowns allowed is the second most in the ACC; only Wake Forest is worse.
Transfer Portal Departures: N/A
Player to Know:
QB Riley Leonard
All-ACC Honorable Mention. First year starter threw for 2,794 yards, 20 touchdowns to six interceptions. Team’s leading rusher with 114 carries, 636 yards and 11 touchdowns
DT DeWayne Carter
Second Team All-ACC. Tied for team lead with 5.5 sacks. Recorded 35 tackles (11 for loss), forcing and recovering three fumbles, including one for a touchdown
Bowl Game Trends:
- UCF head coach Gus Malzahn is 3-5 in bowl games (1-0 at UCF)
- Favorite is 10-2 SU and 8-4 ATS in the Military Bowl
Game Synopsis:
The status of UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee is crucial for the Knights. Plumlee is slated to play, but depth is thin. Backup Mikey Keene is in the transfer portal and unavailable. Third-string Thomas Castellanos would be in line for the start; he went 9/16 for 75 yards, no touchdowns or interceptions. I do believe motivation matters in this one; Duke has not been bowling in four years. Elko could get some serious momentum heading into 2023 with a bowl win, and I believe the Blue Devils secure that bowl win. Look for the Blue Devils to slow down the Knights’ rushing attack today.
Bowl Mania Pick To Win: Duke
Bowl Mania Confidence: 26/43
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