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Neither a hurricane nor a pandemic was able to keep the UCF Knights from facing the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets this fall.
The same can’t be said for UNC, but that’s a different story.
The Atlantic Coast Conference released its 2020 football schedule Thursday after previously announcing it would move to a 10-plus-one conference-only scheduling model.
At first, UCF was out of the conversation. Then a caveat in the scheduling model came to light: the non-conference opponent could be chosen by the school and the game must be played in the home state of the ACC institution.
In other words, Georgia Tech can play whomever they want as long as they play in Georgia.
With that being said, the UCF Knights are taking a trip to Atlanta on Sept. 19. The game was previously scheduled on Sept. 18.
We’re heading to #Knightlanta on Sept. 19th ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/XzqOsRhmkA
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) August 6, 2020
Although UNC hasn’t picked a non-conference opponent yet, it can’t be UCF because its non-conference game falls on the same week as the Knights’ trip to Atlanta.
The announcement comes after UCF AD Danny White told the media on Wednesday he was “very optimistic” the UCF-Georgia Tech game wouldn’t go anywhere.
“Very optimistic about the Georgia Tech game in particular,” he said. “I think the way that our fans travel, even in a lower-capacity situation, which we’re all probably looking at, we’re an attractive home game for them. I know our coaches, our student-athletes and our fans are really excited about that.”
UCF fans are also optimistic about keeping the game on the schedule.
Here’s what we know about the match-up between the Knights and the Yellow Jackets based on your reactions:
We all had the same question...
I'm not complaining, just confused. How are we still playing Georgia Tech? Didnt the ACC say that their teams could only play non conference teams from their state?
— Devon Pearce (@RocketMan109) August 6, 2020
But this clears it up. As long as the game is in the home state of the ACC institution, the game can still happen
We’re playing in their state. They don’t have to play a team from Georgia, they have to play a team in Georgia
— Undefeated (@EatMyAxee) August 6, 2020
It’s all about give and take. We get Georgia Tech but we also might get a rough hurricane season. Is it worth it?
This is what we get for confirming the UCF v. Georgia Tech this year. https://t.co/R7vv0oQtBL
— Knights, Peaches, Fiestas OH MY! (@Chrisiskingx) August 6, 2020
Will we even have a football season? Danny White has plans ready if we do and if we don’t. But either way, at least the game wasn’t canceled
HUGE news for UCF to be able to keep 1 of their ACC matchups from this year on the schedule
— jeremy taché (@jeremytache) August 6, 2020
I still don’t really think a season is going to happen, but this is really good news if/when it does https://t.co/kLrjITrjPF
FSU picked Samford. Miami picked UAB. Virginia Tech picked Liberty. Georgia Tech picked UCF. He’s right.
GT also has by far the toughest OOC game in UCF.
— Time To Swarm (@TylerBoger) August 6, 2020
UCF is the only AAC team to play an ACC team this fall. We’re just built different, I guess.
Also worth pointing out that UCF is the only AAC team to play an ACC team out of conference this season. USF, ECU, Temple, and Navy all could have reasonably been added to schedules. Navy *should* have been allowed to play Notre Dame in Annapolis. Alas, here we are. https://t.co/HyCK6r3WtO
— Dan Morrison (@Dan_Morrison96) August 6, 2020
Speaking of a hard out-of-conference schedule, some Georgia Tech fans are a bit nervous about their record this season.
The addition of UCF really makes it hard to find 6 wins. I get it, but I wish that was a winnable G5 or FCS game instead
— Michael (@AcunaDingers) August 6, 2020
But hey, at least they’re ready to face the music:
Respect to Tech for not ducking this one.
— Jason Catlette (@JasonCatlette) August 6, 2020
He said it, not me!
UCF going to be a harder game then FSU and Miami
— Shaun T (@shauntaylor4) August 6, 2020
We’ll be there, don’t worry. Bobby Dodd Stadium. Sept. 19.
TURN UP!!! I NEED ALL MY UCF FRIENDS IN ATLANTA https://t.co/KulKVaa4eD
— Paper Towel Bandit (@jay_a_white_) August 6, 2020
Daniella Medina is a contributing writer for the Black & Gold Banneret. Follow her on Twitter @danimedinanews.