EVE EDELHEIT | Times
Today, we begin our annual team-by-team preview of the American Athletic Conference (excluding USF, whom we follow 24/7). Up first: UCF
UCF
Coach: George O'Leary (12th season at UCF, 81-60; 20th season overall, 133-93)
2014 record: 9-4 (7-1 in AAC; won share of league title, lost to N.C. State in Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl)
Starters returning/lost: 11/16 (including specialists). The defense must replace seven starters.
Schedule's toughest stretch: The Knights' conference fate likely will be decided by a three-Saturday stretch -- at Temple, Houston, at Cincinnati -- in October.