Every team in college football loses talent every year and UCF is not different. Not only do they lose a number of key starters, they lost their Head Coach, the AAC coach of the year, and their coaching staff. Let's look at what UCF:
On offense, they lose 4 starters: their top WR, LT, RG, and TE. They lost 2 out of the top 3 receivers and 4 of their top 10 OL. The three TEs on the depth chart graduated. Back-up QB left. They bring back starting QB (AAC offensive player of the year) and RB, 3 OL starters, and two WRs.
On defense, they lose 6 starters: Both DEs, one OLB, one ILB, and both CBs. That is 4 starters from the front 7.
UCF should come into the UConn game ranked in the top 25. UConn will be the home team and an underdog. UCF will be playing their first game under a new coaching staff. If UConn loses big, it will be what most expected. If UConn beats UCF, that will generate the momentum that you are looking for. I am not a moral victory guy, but if UConn keeps it close, fans will think the turn is near.
UConn has nothing to lose and everything to gain by playing UCF opening night.