South Carolina State @ Central Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 30, 2008 ) South Carolina State 0, Central Florida 17

The Scott Frost era beings for UCF at home Saturday against South Carolina State, and not much could surpass how bad things fell apart for the Golden Knights last season. UCF went 0-12 in 2015 and the former Oregon offensive coordinator will not have much runway to get the Golden Knights used to his up-tempo style as a trip to eighth-ranked Michigan looms next week.

“I’m not going to expect any less because of what happened last year,” the first-year head coach said. “It’s probably unrealistic to think we’ll go from last to first, but I know that when people watch our team, they’re going to see a different product out there.” Frost will rely heavily on senior quarterback Justin Holman, who led the Golden Knights to the 2014 American Athletic Conference championship before an injury-filled 2015. South Carolina State opens its 15th season under coach Oliver Pough with four consecutive road games – including a trip to No. 2-ranked Clemson. MEAC preseason defensive player of the year Darius Leonard returns to anchor a defense that recorded a FCS-leading 46 sacks a year ago.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: None

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA STATE (2015: 7-4): The Bulldogs featured good balance last season, allowing only 15.2 points per contest while scoring 26.7 per game. Offensive tackle Javarius Leamon (6-foot-7, 310 pounds) and Leonard earned STATS FCS preseason All-America honors. The Bulldogs were picked fourth in the 11-team MEAC preseason poll.

ABOUT UCF (2015: 0-12): Holman battled hand and ankle injuries while throwing 14 interceptions last season, after passing for 2,952 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2014. Wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith won AAC rookie of the year after catching 52 passes for 724 yards as a freshman in 2015. Seven starters return on defense, including all four starters in the secondary and six of the top seven tacklers as the Golden Knights switch from a 4-3 to 3-4 alignment.

EXTRA POINTS

1. UCF sophomore RB C.J. Jones (339 yards last season) leads a talented, yet inexperienced group in the backfield.

2. Golden Knights P Caleb Houston averaged 44.2 yards per punt last season and brings a 41.9-yard career average into his senior season.

3. The two teams have met once, a 17-0 UCF victory in the 2008 season opener.

PREDICTION: UCF 38, South Carolina State 10