Many fans are calling the Knights’ Saturday night win bittersweet.
The win was good news, but some fans said the University of Central Florida isn’t getting the national attention it deserves.
The team, which is now celebrating two back-to-back undefeated seasons, will not be included in the College Football Playoffs and will instead face Louisiana State in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1, 2019.
“I don’t know why people just (don’t) seem to think UCF is good, even though we win two years — undefeated — in a row,” said fan Lauren Schwartz.
“In my heart, we are the champions, so whatever happens, we’re still undefeated,” fan Wendy Joseph said.
Last year, UCF beat the Auburn Tigers in the Peach Bowl. The Knights are now rallying behind backup quarterback Darriel Mack Jr. after McKenzie Milton’s recent leg injury. Many fans are showing big support and praying for a smooth recovery for Milton.
"I’m really, really happy, especially with the injuries that have been happening,” Joseph said. “It kind of made me feel like, ‘Oh yeah, we’re not going to win this one,’ but we did come back, so that was really exciting.”
The University of Florida, ranked 10 out of the top 25 schools, will play the University of Michigan in the Peach Bowl on Dec. 29.
Oklahoma moved into the fourth and final spot in the playoff rankings after winning the Big 12 championship.
The Sooners (12-1) will face No. 1 Alabama (13-0) in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 29 and No. 2 Clemson (13-0) plays No. 3 Notre Dame (12-0) in the Cotton Bowl on the same day.
Georgia (11-2) dropped a spot to fifth, and Ohio State (12-1) remained sixth in the selection committee's final top 25. The Bulldogs lost a dramatic Southeastern Conference championship game to Alabama on Saturday, and the Buckeyes won the Big Ten championship.
The Sooners beat Texas for the Big 12 title, avenging their only loss behind Heisman Trophy contender Kyler Murray. Oklahoma is making its third appearance in the 5-year-old playoff. Alabama has played in them all.