By Pete Pelegrin
Twitter: @Petepelegrin

With the 16th FIU football season a couple of days away, "5 Questions With" returns for the first Panthers game of 2017. The Central Florida Knights are the opponent and Matt Murschel, the UCF beat writer of the Orlando Sentinel, is here to answer 5 Questions on the Knights. You can follow Matt on Twitter: @osmattmurschel.

    

1. What are some of the strengths and weaknesses of the UCF offense?

MM: UCF doubled its offensive output from 13.9 points per game in 2015 to 29 points per game in 2016 in the Knights first season under head coach Scott Frost. Quarterback McKenzie Milton took over the starting job in Week 3 against Maryland and started nine of the team's final 10 games. He finished with 1,983 yards passing and 10 touchdowns. To his benefit, the offensive line has been retooled in the offseason with the coaching staff adding much-needed depth at the position. As many as nine different players can step up and help provide relief up front. Tre'Quan Smith (853 yards, 5 TDs) leads a versatile group of receivers which features a pair of senior tight ends in Jordan Akins and Jordan Franks. Jawon Hamilton, who was the team's leading rusher with 495 yards last season, and Taj McGowan provide the Knights with a pair of dynamic backs. Adrian Killins is a home-run hitter with the ability to play from the backfield and out wide as a receiver.

2. What are some of the strengths and weaknesses of the UCF defense?

MM: UCF returns its top defender in linebacker Shaquem Griffin, who earned American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors after he led the league with 11.5 sacks. The defensive line returns intact led by redshirt senior nose guard Tony Guerad (62 tackles, 10.0 tackles for loss), senior end Jamiyus Pittman (28 tackles) and sophomore Trysten Hill (5.0 tackles for loss). If there is a point of concern, it would be the secondary which saw all four starting defensive backs from last season leave for the NFL. All four replacements for 2017 lack any starting experience and accumulative have just three interceptions. 

3. How are the Knights special teams and who are some players to watch on special teams?

MM: The special teams unit is solid thanks to a pair of redshirt juniors in Matthew Wright and Mac Loudermilk. Wright earned a spot on the Lou Groza preseason watch list after connecting on 17-of-22 field goals last season. Loudermilk, meanwhile, takes over the full-time punting duties with the departure of Caleb Houston. He attempted just six punts in 2016, averaging 35.0 yards per punt. Adrian Killins is a threat in the return game, with 451 yards on 18 returns last season including a 100-yard return for a touchdown. He's joined by freshman Otis Anderson, who coaches have been very high on this preseason camp. Senior Chris Johnson was the primary punt returner last season, averaging 6.46 yards on 26 punt returns in 2016. 

4. Besides the tremendous defensive turnaround last year, how are the Knights different under Scott Frost versus George O'Leary -- when O'Leary had winning seasons?

MM: One word: speed. George O'Leary built his teams in the NFL model while Scott Frost has recruited fast athletic types similar to the players he had at Oregon. The Knights showcased some of that speed last season but suffered from depth issues at several positions. They've addressed that in the offseason. Another big difference has been in the weight room. Coaches and players raved about the job the strength and conditioning staff did in the offseason reshaping many of the players' bodies going into this season.

5. What's your outlook for UCF this season?

MM: Anytime you can go from a winless campaign to six wins in one season it's a pretty remarkable feat. Frost has repeatedly said he wasn't satisfied with last season especially when you consider the team lost its final three games including a bowl loss to Arkansas State in the Cure Bowl. There's plenty of talent and now some much-needed depth so seven-or-eight win season isn't out of the question.