UCF VS JACKSONVILLE
I don't think there's much question that both of these teams overachieved last season. The Jags went 10-6, and made a deep postseason run, all the way to the AFC title game - where they almost beat New England. UCF finished their season unbeaten, a year after going 6-7 and losing to Arkansas State in the Cure Bowl. In fact, over-achieved might be the understatement of the year with these two teams.
However, while watching their seasons progress, neither felt like a fluke. The Jags had the best defense in the NFL, a solid rookie RB, and Bortles played some of his most efficient games @ QB. UCF scored more points than anyone in the country and had the leadership of Shaquem Griffin on the defensive side, arguably the best leader in the country.
So, the question is, which team is more likely to fall back down to earth? While everyone is predicting division titles for the Jags and conference titles for UCF, it's at least worth discussing, that a slap in the face by reality might just be the outcome for one of their two seasons. It's hard to accomplish what those 2 teams accomplished 2 years in a row. And while most of you are just going to blindly choose the Jags as the team more likely to fall back down to earth (mainly because they're the Jags) allow me to make a counter-argument:
The Jags did nothing but improve their roster in the off-season, while UCF lost a load of their best players to the NFL Draft. They added one of the best guards in the NFL (Andrew Norwell), a red-zone threat WR in Donte Moncrief, a big physical tight-end in Austin Sefarian-Jenkins, and the fastest WR in this year's NFL Draft in DJ Chark. Meanwhile, UCF lost their heart and soul/most impactful defensive player in Shaquem Griffin, 1st round pick Mike Hughes, their top WR in Tre'Quan Smith, and TE Jordan Akins. Replacing those guys is no easy task for the Knights.
Have I done anything to change your mind? VOTE BELOW...