A game-by-game prediction of the 2024 UCF football season

UCF is preparing to head into their second season in the Big 12 and most would say it is their "prove it" season. What do I mean when I say a "prove it" season? Well, UCF has a year under their belt in the Big 12, they were the best newcomer last season, and they made a lot of great additions to the team in the offseason, they don't have many excuses not to have a good season.

Gus Malzahn knows how to make a winning program, he did it at Auburn and has shown he can win here at UCF, now he just needs to do it more consistently. He has a quarterback in the system who can do it all, and while John Rhy Plumlee was a great quarterback, KJ Jefferson just brings a different look to the offense.

So looking at the season ahead, UCF has a chance to make some noise in the Big 12, a conference that isn't really giving them a ton of credit right now. So here is a look at UCF's 2024 season and a game-by-game prediction for each matchup.

Win

This should be a good game for UCF to shake the rust off and get used to the new players on the field. This will be fans first look at KJ Jefferson other than the spring game adn how he will handle the pressure of starting for a new team after spending his entire career with Arkansas.

This game should be a win for UCF, even though these teams have never faced off. If UCF has a lot of trouble in this game, then fans seriously have something to worry about this season.

Win

Like the game against New Hampshire, this should be an easy win for the Knights even though again, UCF has not faced Sam Houston. Games like this one and the New Hamshire game, if UCF is up big is a good way to get backups ina nd get some reps in a real game experience.

Starting off the season 2-0 is huge for UCF as they will then head into Big 12 play and continue to prepare themselves for the big non-conference game that the Knights have had circled on the schedule all year long against UF.

Win

Last season, UCF had to face the defending Big 12 Champion in their first official Big 12 game, but this season they face an easier opponent. The Knights will take on TCU for their third week of the season at TCU. It will be a tough environment, but the Horned Frogs are not looking like they did when they were in the College Football Playoff a few seasons ago.

The UCF offense should be able to take over in this game and it should be a solid test for the defense to be dominant and not let leads go like they did last season. It should be a win in the books for UCF, but with it being an away game, that could play a factor.

Win

This is one of the more anticipated games for UCF this season as they get to welcome Colorado as their first home Big 12 game of the season. This year, Colorado is the newbie and UCF is the seasoned vet in the Big 12, even though Colorado had a lot of seasons in the Big 12 before they left.

This is an exciting matchup simply because of Deion Sanders's presence on the field. Of course, the one person to worry about on Colorado's team that could give UCF the most headaches is Travis Hunter and let's not forget about Sheduer Sanders. UCF will have to be on top of their game, but it will be a home game which always gives the Knights the edge, so I am going with a win here over Colorado and sending Coach Prime home with a loss.

Win

This is the game that UCF has circled on the schedule since it came out so many months ago. This is UCF's biggest "prove it" game but not to the rest of the conference, to the state of Florida. UF has always treated UCF as the little brother, even though UCF beat the Gators in a bowl game back in 2022.

This is a more evenly matched game than most people want to admit and while this game will be in the Swamp, UCF fans will gladly make the two-hour trip North to support their Knights in a big game. UCF should be able to get the win here as they will probably take this game more seriously than the Gators will and surprise them at home.

Win

As UCF's new rival in the conference, this has turned into a highly anticipated game over the last eight years. This should be a game UCF is favored a lot in as Cincinnati is not the team they were when they had Luke Fickell at the helm and were in the College Football Playoff. The Bearcats struggled a lot last season and it looks like they will again this year giving the Knights a win against a rival.

Loss

Iowa State is a tough team to begin with, but they are an even tougher team at home in Ames. This one is probably going to end in a loss for UCF just because Iowa State is such a complete team.

The Cyclones and the Knights have never faced off before, but being in a tough environment and playing a team that truly has a chance to win the Big 12 this season just is not a good combination for UCF. KJ Jefferson could take the game over, but the defense would have to hold and there are a lot of questions surrounding that defense this season after their play last season.

Win

UCF will play BYU for the first time since these two faced off in a bowl game back in 2021 where Zach Wilson and the Cougars put a beat down on the Knights. However, this is not 2021 anymore and these are not the same teams.

UCF and BYU are pretty evenly matched on paper, but I think once these teams hit the field, it is going to be a clear UCF show. Of course, BYU has the talent to win, but UCF will be at home, it will be homecoming weekend, and UCF does not like to lose on homecoming weekend. This could be a game that RJ Harvey could completely break out as BYU's offense struggles with the run. Should be a win in the books for the Knights, keeping them in the Big 12 hunt.

Loss

It is sad to predict a loss in this game as this is UCF's annual Space Game, a game in which they are 7-0 since they began the celebration. UCF has the possibility of continuing that streak, but with Arizona coming into town, it will be a tough one.

Although UCF did have a huge win over Oklahoma State in their Space Game, which gave the Knights a lot of confidence to finish the season. UCF will have to figure out how to contain Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillian who could be one of the best quarterback and wide receiver duos in the country this season. Arizona does have a new coach this season, but the defense will be the telling part of this game. With so many unknowns, I am giving UCF a loss in this one, but the Space Game could use its magic again and give the Knights the win.

Win

Arizona State is coming into the Big 12 struggling after a couple of rough years in the Pac-12. However, they have some bright days ahead with Kenny Dillingham as their head coach, but the game against UCF probably won't be a bright day.

Now, UCF will have to completely cross the country to play this game which will be tough on the Knights, but with the way Arizona State is looking, this should be a solid win for UCF before a tough two-game stretch to finish the season.

Loss

West Virginia is a team that could have a real chance at winning the Big 12, and this game will be in Morgantown. UCF would love to get revenge on West Virginia for beating them at home last season, but this probably won't be the game they get.

The Mountaineers have a dynamic offense with a very versatile quarterback and a dominant defense that can hold up against a lot of offenses. This will be a loss for the Knights, which is hard before they head into their season finale against Utah.

Loss

As much as I want to give the Knights a win in their final game of the season, Utah might be too big of an opponent for the Knights. The Utes are the team favored heavily to come in and win the Big 12 in their first season in the conference.

Unless there are some injuries or players out on the offense, UCF will most likely struggle against who Utah has and probably won't have the fire power on their own offense to walk away with a win.