The Horns get Knighted. This is the point in the schedule where the Longhorns were supposed to play Texas Tech, a team
sure to have had their attention.
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Texas Respecting UCF Knights
Despite being a 36 point favorite, the Longhorns are not buying into a cake walk against UCF, especially since the Horns had trouble against the Knights two years ago in Orlando.
 
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Instead that game was moved to September and the Horns were left with a non conference game against Central Florida.
Not quite the buzz of a matchup with the Red Raiders, but that
doesn't matter to UT.
"We're really focusing on Saturday," says Horns offensive guard Charlie Tanner "This is a huge game for us. It's the most important part now, we've got to finish."
"There's always talent in Florida," Horns defensive end Sergio Kindle says, "so you can never underestimate their talent and skill."
While visions of a trip to Pasadena dance through Longhorn
fans heads, UT's focus is on the other coast. More precisely,
Central Florida.
The Horns may be 36 point favorites, they understand this is
just one more step on the road to a title.
"It doesn't matter," Horns head coach Mack Brown says. "This is not about the Big 12 this week, it's not about the Big 12 South. But it is about national implications, and we are in the mix nationally and if you want to stay there, you have to play good."
The Longhorns have many reminders of the dangers of
overlooking Central Florida. Most notably their own lackluster
performance against the Knights in 2007.
UT also got to watch UCF rally for a victory on national TV Sunday night.
"They've got some really good players on defense." Horns quarterback Colt McCoy said. "The defensive line is really good. We've got to be prepared for them for sure."
There's one member of the UT program who is sure to have his
game face on.
"Very capable wideouts," Will Muschamp says. "An experienced quarterback in Hodges who started at Wake Forest before he transferred to Central Florida so I think we've got out work cut out for us and we need to go play well."
At 5-3 UCF is no slouch, their run defense is 9th in the country
and they rank 8th in total sacks. But let's be honest, this isn't a
game about stats. It's about UT coming to play, in their 2nd to
last home game of the year.
"We've gotta play those guys like they're Oklahoma," Kindle says. "Like this is our Big 12 Championship game."
4 more wins and the Horns will be headed to the Big 12 title game. Speaking of wins, 3 more and Colt McCoy becomes the all-time winningest quarterback in college football history.
With the Longhorns, Ricky Doyle, News 8 Sports.
