Backup quarterback Darriel Mack Jr. has all of the No. 8 UCF Knights hopes riding on his shoulders after starter and Heisman candidate McKenzie Milton went down with a serious knee injury in the team’s 38-10 win over USF. On Saturday, UCF will take on the Memphis Tigers in the AAC Championship game at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando, Fla. The game is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC (live streaming via WatchESPN).
Memphis vs. UCF 2018 live stream: Time, TV schedule, and how to watch AAC Championship online
Can UCF take the AAC Championship game without its starting quarterback?
Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images
Mack went 5-for-14 for 81 yards and added 51 yards rushing in relief of Milton the last time out. For his career, he has just 174 yards passing with no touchdowns or interceptions, and 281 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground. He will be facing a Memphis team coming off four consecutive wins, including a 52-31 victory over Houston in their last outing.
Memphis is 8-4 on the season, with an earlier 31-30 loss to UCF already this season. Milton was the quarterback for that one, and he completed 17 of 29 passes for 296 yards and a touchdown. Fortunately for UCF, they also rushed for 165 yards and three touchdowns, and are coming off a game against USF in which they amassed 391 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Memphis vs. UCF prediction
As of the very latest S&P+ rankings, Memphis is ranked 19th in the nation, a rise of seven spots, with 12.9 points. Central Florida comes in at seventh in the nation with 20.0 points, which implies a 7.1-point advantage for the Knights on a neutral field. It’s not a neutral field, as it will be played at the home of the Knights.
Time, TV, and streaming info
Memphis vs. UCF news
- For the Knights, their primary motivation is no longer just winning the championship — they’re also playing for their injured former leader and his replacement.
- Josh Heupel and MIke Aresco addressed the media, talking about Mack and several other topics going into Saturday’s game.
- The Knights are a sellout away from a new school high in season attendance per game.
- The powers in Florida seem to have shifted. For the second-straight year, UCF is the best team in the region.
- Be sure to check out this Underdog Dynasty look at McKenzie Milton, whether he’s played his last down for UCF or not.
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