The 2025 season feels a bit different, but similar, for the Knights

We’re less than 30 days from kickoff, and I’ve been racking my brain for the perfect theme for this year’s UCF Knights football season. Then it hit me like a perfectly timed blitz: 2025 is basically 2016 with a fresh coat of paint.

Seriously—cue the déjà vu. The Knights are coming off a forgettable 4–8 season, despite having talent that deserved better. Enter Scott Frost, back in the saddle as head coach after an eight-year detour through Nebraska and the NFL. It’s Frost 2.0, baby, and the vibes are immaculate.

No Pressure, Just Vibes

For the first time since 2016, I feel absolutely zero pressure for UCF to perform. Maybe that’s short-sighted (it is), but I don’t care (I really don’t). Every season since 2017 has felt like a high-stakes poker game—every loss a gut punch, every win a validation of our place at the big-boy table. But now? We’re flipping the table and playing Uno. Reverse card: expectations.

This year, it’s all about the journey. The Knights are rebuilding with over 60 new faces, a quarterback battle that’s still unresolved, and a wide receiver room that’s more mystery box than proven arsenal. The offensive line? Let’s just say it’s a work in progress. The defense might be the strength, but in the Big 12—where scoring is basically a competitive art form—they’ll need more than just grit.

Big 12 Chaos: Embrace It

Preseason rankings? UCF’s been placed anywhere from “dark horse contender” (LOL) to “please don’t finish last.” Sports Illustrated pegged them at 15th out of 16. Honestly, fair. The Knights haven’t been ranked in a national poll since 2022. But that’s what makes this season so fun—nobody knows what to expect, and that includes us.

Coach Frost himself called the Big 12 a “very even league” where anyone can win if they play well. Translation: chaos is coming, and we’re here for it.

Year Zero, Portal Madness, and NIL Mayhem

Some are calling this “Year Zero” for Frost’s second run, and that’s spot on. He arrived late in the recruiting cycle, leaned hard on the transfer portal, and is navigating the wild west of NIL like a cowboy with a smartphone. It’s not just rebuilding—it’s reimagining.

So, grab a cold one, fire up the game, and let’s enjoy the ride. This season isn’t about proving anything. It’s about rediscovering the joy of UCF football, one unpredictable Saturday at a time.

Let the vibes lead the way!

Charge On!