UCF Football, should fans give the “Gus Bus” a chance to refuel?

“The future of College Football”, the words the UCF football program rolled out on billboards and marketing campaigns as Gus took over, and during the transition from the G5 to the P4 with the move to the Big 12. This slogan has since transformed into “what is the future of the UCF football program” with the situation in Orlando. Currently this includes a 5-game losing streak, fans chanting “fire Gus”, boos coming from students at their annual Homecoming Spirit Splash event (not the Halloween ghost Boos either), players decommitting and coaching staff shakeups. In the last two weeks the Knights have seen three of their top recruits for the 2025 class decommit, and Gus decided to part ways with DC, Ted Roof, as well as hand over the offensive play calling to Tim Harris Jr. The flame has been lit, Gus and Terry’s seats are heating up fast, and based on the moves Gus made, he is feeling it. As we all know, the only cure to this situation in CFB is winning games.

Gus’s current record since joining UCF in 2021 is 27-21(overall), 15-15(conference), 6-15(P4 opponents), 1-2(bowl games). Majority of those wins were when UCF was still in the AAC prior to making the jump to the Big 12. This being the Knights second year in the Big 12, there were big expectations to be a conference contender with a talented roster, a top WR in the country in Kobe Hudson, and arguably a top 3 RB in the country RJ Harvey. All of this combined with a top transfer portal class from the offseason, set expectations for UCF to be a problem in 2024. This has not translated on the field as the Knights are now potentially on their fourth QB option as the first three did not play to expectations, and they have lost five straight games. The most frustrating part for Knights fans has to be seeing the players on the field, which by the eye test look to be better faster and stronger than most of the teams they have played this season. Yet poor clock management by Gus, poor play calling in critical moments of games by Gus, and a lackluster passing offense managed by Gus making them one dimensional has resulted in the 5-game losing streak.  What does this all mean going forward?

Some may claim UCF fans are delusional in how they are reacting right now…I mean it is just UCF right? Do they truly expect to be a powerhouse in the Big 12, playing with the big boys now?

Let me shed some light on these claims and give context to the rest of the college football world on the sleeping giant that is the University of Central Florida. The Knights very first football game ever was a short 45 years ago in 1979, and they are the only program in history to have played in every NCAA college football level in existance in that very short time span. Think of it this way, UCF is the youngest program, by far, to play in the “Power 5” or as some now say the “Power 4” with the next youngest program being FSU, who was already playing D1 football before UCF even had thoughts of a football team. Combine this with their location in talent rich FL, a culture of success at every level they have played at, along with the fact that UCF is the #1 largest university in the entire country with over 71,000 students, a stat I guarantee 90% of fans across the country do not realize, this program is primed to be a powerhouse.

Knights fans know these facts and have experienced big time success recently. Starting with being the youngest program ever to not only appear in a NY6 bowl but to win it in 2014, shocking #6 Baylor in the fiesta bowl. Then, most recently having a magical 25-0 win streak to include an NCAA recognized national title ranked #1 in the country in the Colley Matrix in 2017 after defeating #10 Auburn in the Peach Bowl, finishing as the only undefeated team in the country that season. Not to mention a program that continually produces NFL talent with 19 active UCF players currently on NFL rosters. UCF has done all of this while making multi-millions of dollars less than the big blue bloods and P5 schools. So, imagine what UCF will accomplish with the same funding as P5/P4 programs (Knights receive full Big12 share starting 2025-2026). All of this has given fans a taste of “powerhouse” levels of popularity and once you get a taste and you know what the team is capable of, as we have seen at many other programs, you expect greatness to be a regular meal.

With all this now known we must ask ourselves, why wouldn’t UCF fans continue to crave greatness and a winning culture? Do you expect them to be ok with mediocrity? Success is what Knights fans are used to no matter what division/level they have played at. UCF has everything it needs to be a big time CFB brand and win games week in and week out. So why not UCF?

This weekend the Knights play Big 12 foe, Arizona, in their annual “Space Game” which recognizes the roots as Florida Technological University Citronauts, the UCF space institute and contributions to the Kennedy Space Center and NASA. The Knights are 7-0 in the “Space Game” since starting it back in 2017 to include a blowout victory last season over top ranked Oklahoma State. This combined with a 5-game losing streak and a hot seat under Gus makes this a must win “Gut Check Saturday” type of moment for the UCF Knights and Gus Malzahn. With a 3-5 overall record so far and 4 games left in the season the Knights still have a chance at a bowl game as crazy as that sounds. Will the changes Gus made spark a victory this weekend and turn the tide for the Knights giving them momentum for the back half of season? Whatever the outcome, is it already too late for the fans to allow the “Gus Bus” to refuel and continue this ride? One thing is certain, UCF has always found a way to “rise a Knight” and “charge on” to greatness when knocked down, so expect this young, hungry program with unlimited potential to figure things out whether that includes Gus Malzahn or not.