The 2013 season marked UCF 's first as a member of the American Athletic Conference . The Knights were previously members of C-USA from 2005 to 2012 , the MAC from 2002 to 2004 , and were an independent from 1996 to 2001 . UCF was originally barred from postseason play for the 2012 season due to recruiting violations in both football and basketball under previous athletic director Keith Tribble . The university was able to persuade the NCAA to postpone the postseason ban until the 2013 season , while they filed an appeal . In April 2013 , the university won their appeal , the postseason ban was dropped entirely , and the team became bowl-eligible for the 2013 – 14 season
independent
NCAA Division I FBS independent schools
2013 UCF Knights football team