Game Thread 2022 Military Bowl UCF vs. Duke

[Inveigle]

Official TV Info for 2022 Military Bowl: UCF vs. Duke

Odds by Tipico Sportsbook

O/U 62.5

UCF
Duke -1

• Date: Wednesday, December 28, 2022
• Kick-Off Time: 2:00 P.M. EDT
• TV Channel: ESPN
• City Location: Annapolis, Maryland
• Venue: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

Central Florida (UCF) Knights (9-4)

• Head Coach: Gus Malzahn
• 2022 Key Wins: (20) Cincinnati, (17) Tulane, South Florida
• 2022 Key Losses: Louisville, East Carolina, Navy
• 1st Ever Military Bowl Appearance
• Lost AAC Championship Game vs. Tulane
• First Bowl Game Not in Florida Since 2019 Fiesta Bowl in Arizona
• Back-to-Back Seasons with a 9-4 Record (Entering Bowl Contest)

Duke Blue Devils (8-4)

• Head Coach: Mike Elko
• 2022 Key Wins: Boston College, Wake Forest, Northwestern
• 2022 Key Losses: Kansas, Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech
• First Career Military Bowl Appearance
• 1st Bowl Game Since 2018 Independence Bowl vs. Temple
• Mike Elko Took Over Coaching Duties from David Cutcliffe in the Off-Season

Top Players to Watch in the 2022 Military Bowl: UCF vs. Duke

Central Florida (UCF) Knights

• QB John Rhys Plumlee-25 Touchdowns, 63.1 Completion%, 7 Picks, 2,404 Pass Yards
• WR Ryan O’Keefe-5 Receiving Touchdowns, 725 Receiving Yards
• RB RJ Harvey-5 Total Touchdowns, 767 Rush Yards
• WR Javon Baker-5 Receiving Touchdowns, 747 Receiving Yards
• DE Josh Celiscar-3.0 Sacks, 33 Solo Tackles, 14 Assist Tackles
• K Colton Boomer-14-15 in Field Goals, 41-42 in Extra Point Attempts

Duke Blue Devils

• QB Riley Leonard-31 Touchdowns, 63.5 Completion%, 6 Picks, 2,794 Pass Yards
• WR Jalon Calhoun-4 Receiving Touchdowns, 811 Receiving Yards
• RB Jaquez Moore-4 Total Touchdowns, 465 Rush Yards
• WR Sahmir Hagans-5 Receiving Touchdowns, 368 Receiving Yards
• LB Shaka Heyward-2.0 Sacks, 35 Solo Tackles, 31 Assist Tackles
• K Todd Pelino-5-6 in Field Goals, 20-20 in Extra Point Attempts

Official Prediction for 2022 Military Bowl: UCF Knights vs. Duke Blue Devils

Duke 30, Central Florida 27

Let's Go Duke!

 

[Devilsforlife]

Duke 38
UCF 24

We are going for only our third nine win season since 1941, which would join 2013 and 2014. Let’s end year one of the Elko era on a high note.

 

[Inveigle]

This game is going to depend on how well Riley Leonard plays. He has been stellar all season long with just 6 interceptions and a completion rate of 63.5 %. but he has been able to run for 636 yards and 11 rushing TD's. He will be the key to Duke's success. Credit bestowed upon him can't be stated enough.

Let's Go Duke!

 

[aiw]

Plumlee?

 

[Pantone287]

Plumlee?

I think we even briefly recruited him but he was way out of our league. Looks like he was at Ole Mids originally. He had some viral video playing piano and singing an Ed Sheeran song or something back in the day, if that rings a bell.

Didn't realize Malzahn was the coach there either. I assume they've got some decent talent for a G5 school.

 

[physicsfactor]

Plumlee was quick as hell when I watched him at Ole Miss. Not sure why he didn’t pan out there. He’ll be a challenge for Duke’s defense to keep him from scrambling all over the field.

 

[Inveigle]

Duke has moved to a -2 point favorite.

 

[Inveigle]

Duke is now a -3 point favorite.

 

[Inveigle]

Picked up a half point to now being favored by -3.5.

If we had another two weeks before we play I'd say we could score a TD.

 

[DrKlahn]

I’ve been pretty optimistic about this game, but you really never know with college bowl games. Seems like travel, weather, fan support & recent form all favor Duke. Experience favors UCF but who cares probably?

 

[Devilsforlife]

I think we’ll be by far the more motivated team for this game, which is huge for a bowl. UCF also lost both coordinators. Would be a disappointing game to drop.

 

[DrKlahn]

Would be nice to see Riley have a game like DJ against Temple. Especially since he can’t/won’t go anywhere.

 

[Inveigle]

 

[dukeberto]

Absolutely ecstatic about the win. And absolutely devastated that I missed my parlay because Jaylen Coleman couldn’t rush for one more yard…..

 

[DrKlahn]

7th bowl win in program history. We have seen four of them. Unless you are really old or a toddler.

 

[Devilsforlife]

We’ve gotten to see a 10 win season, two 9 win seasons, and two 8 win seasons since 2013. This has been a very enjoyable decade of Duke football overall, really only marred by mid 2019-2021, which we bounced back from effortlessly this year.

 

[Inveigle]

THAT'S THE WAY YOU COACH A TEAM TO A BOWL VICTORY!

Congrats Blue Devils on a great season!

 

[dukebluedevils05]

Annapolis was great. Great city, lots of cool people. Had a great tailgate right next to the stadium.