The “Big Four” of Florida

Orange County, Florida (PSF) - UCF's move to the Big 12 conference marks a significant milestone for the university's football program. Gus Malzahn, the head coach of UCF, believes that the team is deserving of a spot among the elite college football programs in Florida, thus transitioning from the era of the "Big Three" to the "Big Four." He points out that over the past several years, UCF has been as good as, if not better than, the other prominent programs in the state.

When comparing records, UCF's performance stands out. In the seven seasons since their winless 2015 campaign, UCF has achieved a record of 65-24, which surpasses any other FBS program in Florida during that period. Notably, their undefeated 2017 season, capped off with a Peach Bowl victory over Auburn, propelled them to national prominence, finishing sixth in the AP Top 25.

On the other hand, traditional powerhouses like Florida, Florida State, and Miami have experienced varying levels of success but struggled to maintain consistency. Florida, with two national titles in the 2000s, has a record of 54-34 over the same seven-season span as UCF. Florida State, despite winning a national title in 2013, has faced challenges, finishing below .500 for four consecutive years from 2018 to 2021 before rebounding in 2022. Miami, once a dominant program, has a record of 52-35 in the past seven seasons and struggled to replicate the success of its glory days.

Gus Malzahn sees UCF's entry into the Big 12 as an opportunity to continue their success and compete at a higher level. Although they face significant challenges, including opening against defending Big 12 champion Kansas State and playing powerhouse Oklahoma in the Sooners' final season before joining the SEC, Malzahn is eager to lead UCF to become a championship program in the Big 12.