Walters feels UCF has talent to compete

It's hard to predict just how quickly UCF can rise back to the top. The common line of thought is an 0-12 team likely has a major talent void, but offensive coordinator Troy Walters says that couldn't be further from the truth. He thinks they have the potential to compete right away.

Here's what Walters had to say to the media this week as the team prepares for the season opener against South Carolina State.

How did the guys look this week in practice? Frost talks about how they win the week by winning those days.

"We stress preparation. We stress that what you do Saturday is really what you're going to do Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday. We were good this week. We threw some stuff at them. A new game plan. They had a sense of excitement actually going against an opponent, knowing Saturday is game day. They had a lot of energy. Practiced well, but now the next two or three days it's all about mental reps and recovery and getting their body right so we can go out Saturday night and do what we know we're capable of doing."

How would you assess the offense right now?

"As an offensive staff, we're pleased with where we are. Camp, we threw a lot at them. Now we've kind of scaled back and narrowed down exactly what we're going to do on Saturday, game plan specifics. Guys are kind of relieved to know we don't have 100 different plays like we did in camp. We have a certain number and they can master those concepts. The big thing is if they know what they're doing they can play fast. If we're playing fast, we're going to be pretty good."

How good did you feel about Frost naming Holman starter?

"He's a senior, so he's tried and true. He's been through the fire. We're very confident in what he can do. He has a great grasp of this offense. He's the team leader on offense. He's going to rally everybody. We're excited for what he's going to do. I'm excited about the offensive line. I'm excited about the receivers, the tight ends. I'm excited about the whole offense. I'm really excited to go out on the field Saturday night and kind of do what they've been doing in practice. If we do that, then we're going to be successful."

Do you have a specific offensive philosophy? Verduzco, Frost and Austin knew the Oregon offense. You didn't, but have your own experiences.

"I've been blessed to be around some great offenses through my playing days and even as a coach. The biggest thing I want to do is put my playmakers in position to make plays. In this offense, we're going to spread guys out. We're going to try to outnumber the defense to one side or the other. We're going to try to create matchups. Any time you do that, you allow your playmakers to make plays. You get the ball in their hands. It's not the X's and O's, it's the Jimmy's and Joe's. We've got to do a good job of putting guys that we know are going to make plays in position to make plays."

As you know, last season didn't go well for this team, 0-12. When you look at the talent you have to work with, I know you won't know for sure until you see how guys respond under the lights, but what do you think of the talent you have to work with?

"Any time a team goes 0-12, you come in and feel like the cupboard is bare. But we feel like we've got talent enough to go out and win a conference championship and to compete with the best. The guys have bought in. They've grasped what we're trying to do. They've bought into Coach Frost's philosophy. We're pleased and happy with the guys that we have. We still have to recruit. We still have to go out and get the best players to come play for us. But we're happy with what we have and we're excited about Saturday."

I see Hayden Jones was on the two-deep. What does he bring to the receivers?

"He's probably the fastest guy we have on the team. He brings an explosive speed, down the field element that other guys really don't have. We're counting on him. We're counting on a lot of receivers. We're kind of going to be a receiver-by-committee. A lot of receivers are going to play. The young guys are going to play. I'm confident in all of them that when their number is called they'll make plays because they've done it in practice. If they've done it in practice, they'll do it in the game."