Prediction, Game Preview, and Odds for BYU vs. UCF

Things were not meant to go this way.

In the Big 12 race, UCF was expected to be a dangerous team, but Colorado tore it apart, and the Knights lost their next four games with everything crashing to the floor.

Sometimes it is been hard for the offense to score, and the defense is not making key stops. The team needs to quickly fix these problems.

On the other hand, BYU was thought to be a “also-ran.” But now it is 7-0, does not have to play Iowa State, and could make the College Football Playoff even if it does not win the Big 12 Championship.

The tough part starts now, with three of the next four games being played away from home. The Cougars do not play Iowa State in the next four games.

BYU vs UCF Preview

BYU vs UCF How to Watch
Date: Saturday, October 26, 2024
Game Time: 3:30 pm ET
Venue: FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL
How to Watch: ESPN
UCF (3-4), BYU (7-0)

Why BYU Will Win

What does BYU do to do this?

Both teams are terrible on third downs; they can not finish enough passes, there are too many picks, and

It is been easy to get things at BYU. A lot of its flaws, like turnover issues, are made up for by forced mistakes. It has 16 turnovers on the ground and 11 in its last four games.

On third downs, UCF’s defense is even worse; they are completing even more passes, and there is no pass rush at all. Also, they have lost two or more mistakes in three of the last four games.

Take away the ball, keep your line against the run, and…

Why UCF Will Win

The crime is still going on. It is not getting enough points.

The best attack in the Big 12 is still UCF’s, with a 354-yard rout of Iowa State. It is not an attack problem; it is a problem with closing.

They score when they get into the red zone, but they keep turning the ball over. Oh, the Knights are fine as long as they do not mess up too much.

Finally, there is the BYU drive. The team is good, but there are too many problems. That is not a bad thing; it means the team can find a way to get the job done.

That being said, this is only their second road game since the middle of September. Their first trip was to Baylor.

Funny things always happen in Provo. It is one of the best home field benefits in college football that is not given enough credit. But…

BYU vs UCF: Who Will Win

You can only use that home field edge if you use it.

UCF sucked against Colorado and just could not get going against Cincinnati. The team is better than it looks, but again, it is the mistakes and the running game.

It looked like it found something bad about Iowa State. The big gashes were there again, and it starts with getting more from Jacurri Brown, a big quarterback who can do a lot of things. He hit Cincinnati for 84 yards and ran for 154 against Iowa State.

UCF needs a big game WAY too soon, and BYU needs a bad break WAY too soon.