AutoZone Liberty Bowl: UCF (10-3) vs. Georgia (6-6)

December, 30, 2010
12/30/10
10:00
AM ET
UCF will be making its fourth bowl appearance but has yet to win one. The Knights face a tough test against Georgia on Friday in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. Both teams feature freshman quarterbacks, so you have to figure the defensive game plans will be somewhat aggressive. UCF may have more wins, but there are several matchup problems that Georgia will try to use to its advantage. First, a quick preview of the game.

WHO TO WATCH: UCF quarterback Jeff Godfrey. As a true freshman out of Miami, he led the Knights to a Conference USA championship and tied the school record for most wins in a season with 10. He is No. 8 in the country in passing efficiency, just ahead of Georgia redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Murray. He can also run the ball, too, and already has the school record for rushing yards by a quarterback in a season. Much was expected of him when he came into UCF, and it felt as if it was only a matter of time before he replaced Rob Calabrese as the starter. It was, and Godfrey has more than lived up to those high expectations.

WHAT TO WATCH: UCF’s focus. The Knights have tons of motivation going into this game. They have a chance to set the school record with 11 wins, but more importantly, they realize they need to win a bowl game and beat a team from an automatic qualifying conference to gain the respect they want. This senior class made it a vow to come in and put this program on the map. UCF has taken steps this season, with the first Top 25 ranking in school history and another conference championship. But the Knights want to be mentioned in the same breath as Florida, Florida State and Miami, and they want to improve their shot at getting an invite to the Big East. Beating up on C-USA opponents but falling on the big stage is not going to move them into the state's elite.

WHY WATCH: Two of the best freshman quarterbacks in the country are going to take center stage in Murray and Godfrey. These two are poised to lead their teams in the next several years, so it is a good chance to see what they have to offer. Plus, this is an all-important game for the non-AQs -- can they take down a team from the mighty SEC?

PREDICTION: Georgia 24, UCF 20. The Bulldogs may be missing several players in this game, but they should be able to take advantage of mismatches in the secondary with A.J. Green.

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