UCF saw a streak of three consecutive seasons with double-digit wins come to an end last year as the Knights went 6-4 last year. The Knights' three regular-season losses were by a combined 12 points.

Head coach Gus Malzahn begins his first season with the Knights after spending eight years at Auburn, where he reached the 2013 BCS National Championship Game. Malzahn has the luxury of one of the nation's top signal-callers at his disposal as QB Dillon Gabriel led FBS in passing last season (357.0 ypg). Gabriel had 3,570 passing yards and 32 touchdown passes as he completed 248 of 413 attempts with only four interceptions.

WR Jaylon Robinson had 55 receptions for 979 yards and six TDs. The Knights will be without their top three rushing leaders from last season.

The defense expects a boost from the arrival of DE Big Kat Bryant, an All-SEC pick at Auburn last year.