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Texas Tech football: Big 12 newcomers that could become threats to Red Raiders

By Matthew Conner

Jul 12, 2023; Arlington, TX, USA; The UCF Knights mascot poses with the Texas Tech Red Raiders mascot during Big 12 football media day at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 12, 2023; Arlington, TX, USA; The UCF Knights mascot poses with the Texas Tech Red Raiders mascot during Big 12 football media day at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; The UCF Knights mascot cheers during the first half against the LSU Tigers in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; The UCF Knights mascot cheers during the first half against the LSU Tigers in the 2019 Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

UCF is potentially the Texas Tech of Florida

A school with a massive alumni base?  Check.  A school that often feels overlooked by many in its own state?  Check.  A school that is relatively young as far as universities go?  Check.  A school with a fan base that is passionate, boisterous, and very active on social media?  Are we talking about Texas Tech or UCF?  Yes.

Because Central Florida has been existing outside of the Red Raiders’ orbit, most people in Raiderland likely don’t know how similar the two universities are.  The reality is that the two have more in common than most realize and for many of the same reasons that Tech believes that it could be a real force in the Big 12, so do the Knights down in Orlando.

With almost 70,000 students enrolled in 2022, UCF has a massive alumni base of 350,000.  That’s even larger than Tech’s massive base of 250,000 alums.  Thus, there is plenty of opportunity for the UCF brand to explode, especially now that they have a seat at the big kids’ table.

Additionally, UCF has a coach that they are fired up about.  Just as Tech fans are fully on board the Joey McGuire train, people in central Florida believe in what Gus Malzhan is building.

Going 9-4 in each of the past two seasons since taking over as head coach, the man who led Auburn to the 2010 National Championship has UCF trending in the right direction.

Also, just as McGuire has Tech recruiting at a level unlike we’ve seen in years, Malzhan has some elite talent headed to Orlando.  In fact, with the No. 26 overall class in the 2024 recruiting cycle, UCF currently has the best class of any of the 16 future Big 12 members.  No. 2 on that list is Tech with the No. 31 class.

Now, the Knights do have to prove their recent success (five 9-win or better seasons in the last five full seasons, not counting the 2020 COVID-shortened season) can be sustained in the Big 12.  After all, the level of play they will face on a weekly basis in this new league is going to be like nothing that program has experienced in its existence.  Still, this is a school with massive potential, and should it maximize its resources, it could be a true factor in the new Big 12.

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