Central Florida coach Scott Frost probably still has to pay triple for meals in Ann Arbor, and after a 51-14 pelting by the Michigan Wolverines Saturday afternoon, it’s clear Michigan is taking nothing for granted and UCF has a long way to go.
It was 19 years ago when Michigan and Nebraska … quarterbacked by a 22-year-old Frost … both went unbeaten, but because of the post-season system, couldn’t play. They split the title, and Frost’s words about who should win the title.
“If you can look yourself in the mirror and say if your job depended on playing either Michigan or Nebraska to keep your job, who would you rather play?” he said back then.
Some UM fans still hold Frost in special contempt over that, which really was a college dude hyping up his team as any college dude would. Brian Griese probably would have done the same thing if asked.
But that was the extent of the intrigue as the current carnation of the Michigan train rolled on, giving up only 56 yards through the air while jumping out to a blasting 31-0 lead before UCF could get on the board.
The Wolverines won’t be without things to stew about. For one, they gave up 275 yards on the ground, mostly outside the tackles. Look for Big Ten teams to try to exploit that. They also saw another botched punt … ironically with the same officiating crew that was present for the famous Michigan State flubbed punt from 2015.
But overall, the one was done shortly after they dropped the coin. Michigan tipped UCF’s first two punts, blocked a field goal, and Wilton Speight continues to look comfortable under center, tossing for 312 and 4 touchdowns in spite of the fact that the offensive line at times gave up some things.
So really, we don’t know a ton about Michigan other than that they’re in that zone where they get up for every game (which you genuinely need), and we’ll figure out a bit more when Colorado comes in to exorcise a different kind of 1990s demons.
UCF, meanwhile, has to be seeing ghosts of 2015, where injuries drilled them, as starting quarterback Justin Holman went down and didn’t return. He was seen on the sidelines, at least.
So it’s a Frost-y score for UCF and another bludgeoning win for the Wolverines. We’re assuming Frost won’t be asked who you’d rather play this time around.
For the record, Michigan had one of the best defenses in modern college football history and didn’t need a kicked ball to stay unbeatn. They would have won. 😉
