The first Amway Coaches Poll of the 2018 season was announced Thursday, with UCF ranked 23rd in the nation. It marked the first time in program history that the Knights have been ranked in the Top 25 to start a season.

UCF, which went 13-0, won the American Athletic Conference Championship and the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl en route to a National Championship in 2017, opened up the 2018 Coaches Poll with 259 points.

Junior quarterback McKenzie Milton returns to lead the Knights in 2018 after being named the American Athletic Conference Player of the Year, the Archie Griffin National Player of the Year and Phil Steele All-America as a sophomore.

Since 2005, UCF has been ranked or receiving votes in 11 seasons, which includes Top 25 finishes in 2010, 2013 and 2017. The Knights ended last season ranked seventh in the Amway Coaches Poll with 1,202 points.

The Associated Press’ preseason Top 25 will be released on Monday, Aug. 20, at noon.

UCF, under the helm of new head coach Josh Heupel, began fall camp on Wednesday morning and will continue practicing through August in preparation of the season opener Aug. 30 at UConn.

The Knights’ home opener is scheduled for Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. against South Carolina State.

PURCHASE 2018 TICKETS
Season tickets are going fast for the highly anticipated 2018 campaign. Fans can purchase theirs today and learn about all their options by calling (407) 823-1000 or visiting online at https://ucfknights.co/18fbtix.

AMWAY PRESEASON COACHES POLL

  1. Alabama (61) – 1621 points
  2. Clemson (3) – 1547 points
  3. Ohio State (1) – 1458 points
  4. Georgia – 1452 points
  5. Oklahoma – 1288 points
  6. Washington – 1245 points
  7. Wisconsin – 1243 points
  8. Miami – 1091 points
  9. Penn State – 1050 points
  10. Auburn – 1004 points
  11. Notre Dame – 892 points
  12. Michigan State – points
  13. Stanford – 768 points
  14. Michigan – 752 points
  15. USC – 691 points
  16. TCU – 530 points
  17. Virginia Tech – 524 points
  18. Mississippi State – 407 points
  19. Florida State – 328 points
  20. West Virginia – 310 points
  21. Texas – 265 points
  22. Boise State – 261 points
  23. UCF – 259 points
  24. LSU – 254 points
  25. Oklahoma State – 168 points