UCF at Pittsburgh - 2026 Matchup Preview

Saturday, September 12th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Acrisure Stadium - Pittsburgh, PA

Knights (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Scott Frost (24 - 14)
Avg Score : 24 - 24 (13 - 35 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5 - 7 (#84)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

PITT 2nd straight Home Game
Our Line: Pittsburgh -13 (SP+ PITT -10)
Projected Score: UCF: 21 - PITT: 34 (54)
PITT Win prob: 80% | Cover: 46%
UCF Travel: 821 miles

Panthers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Pat Narduzzi (80 - 61)
Avg Score : 34 - 25 (37 - 25 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 4.5 (#41)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
UCF Players
PITT Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

UCF's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Thu 9/3	UCF vs Bethune-Cookman	-21
Sat 9/12	UCF at Pittsburgh	+13
Sat 9/19	UCF vs Georgia State	-22
Sat 9/26	UCF vs TCU	+8
Sat 10/3	UCF at Houston	+11.5
Sat 10/10	UCF at Oklahoma State	-3.5
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24	UCF vs BYU	+15
Sat 10/31	UCF vs Baylor	+2
Sat 11/7	UCF at Kansas	+6
Sat 11/14	UCF vs Arizona State	+3.5
Sat 11/21	UCF vs Iowa State	+4
Sat 11/28	UCF at Colorado	-3

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for UCF's Schedule

Pittsburgh's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Pittsburgh vs Miami (OH)	-14.5
Sat 9/12	Pittsburgh vs UCF	-13
Thu 9/17	Pittsburgh vs Syracuse	-18
Sat 9/26	Pittsburgh vs Bucknell	-31.5
Fri 10/2	Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech	-7.5
Sat 10/10	Pittsburgh vs North Carolina	-11.5
Sat 10/17	Pittsburgh at Boston College	-10
Sat 10/24	Pittsburgh at Miami	+17.5
Sat 10/31	Pittsburgh vs Georgia Tech	-4
	BYE WEEK
Fri 11/13	Pittsburgh vs Florida State	-3
Sat 11/21	Pittsburgh at Louisville	+5
Sat 11/28	Pittsburgh at California	-5

Important Stats (2025)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
UCF	#88 (.14)	39% (107)	24.3	39% (111)	2.61 (126)	158	40% (93)	221	3.49 (94)	#51 (.12)	44% (95)	23.6	47% (116)	40% (54)	3.52 (55)	57.2	1.5	1.2
PITT	#57 (.19)	41% (94)	33.7	41% (96)	2.63 (122)	118	41% (75)	274	3.65 (74)	#24 (.08)	35% (11)	24.8	34% (7)	37% (23)	3.81 (82)	67.4	1.8	1.6

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
UCF		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
PITT		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2025

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
UCF Offense	12	24.3	12.8	39.1%	3.49	1.5	18	379	158	221	4.9	45%	53%	39%	40%	17%	.14
PITT Defense	13	24.8	25.1	35.1%	3.81	1.6	-	-	-	-	-	46%	52%	34%	37%	19%	.08

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
UCF Defense	12	23.6	34.6	43.7%	3.52	1.2	-	-	-	-	-	54%	45%	47%	40%	16%	.12
PITT Offense	13	33.7	36.6	40.6%	3.65	1.8	21	391	118	274	3.6	43%	55%	41%	41%	18%	.19

Additional Stats 2025

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
UCF	12	29:55	18.2	34%	56%	7.6	57.2	1.5	1.2	5.6	2.1	2	28.4
Pittsburgh	13	28:55	20.8	33%	61%	7.3	67.4	1.8	1.6	7.7	2.4	6	33.3

Run Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
UCF Offense	12	45% (106)	39% (111)	32.3	158.2	4.9	19 (26)	.11 (68)	2.61 (126)	62% (123)	11% (107)	1.25 (1)
PITT Defense	13	46% (26)	34% (7)	-	-	-	-	-.06 (7)	2.34 (6)	69% (53)	13% (8)	0.96 (69)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
UCF Defense	12	54% (110)	47% (116)	-	-	-	-	.12 (84)	3.06 (101)	85% (132)	10% (46)	0.88 (28)
PITT Offense	13	43% (115)	41% (96)	33.1	117.7	3.6	18 (70)	.06 (97)	2.63 (122)	67% (97)	11% (107)	1.01 (51)

Pass Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
UCF Offense	12	53% (30)	40% (93)	20.8	33.6	220.8	6.6	10.6	12 (114)	12 (34)	.18 (104)	1.5 (102)	33% (105)	24% (126)	.19 (116)	7% (92)	2.3 (9)
PITT Defense	13	52% (109)	37% (23)	-	-	-	-	-	-	15 (31)	.21 (53)	1.6 (110)	37% (8)	26% (19)	.17 (20)	6% (47)	2.1 (92)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
UCF Defense	12	45% (28)	40% (54)	-	-	-	-	-	-	9 (55)	.16 (28)	1.4 (19)	31% (81)	25% (16)	.11 (7)	6% (62)	1.7 (5)
PITT Offense	13	55% (23)	41% (75)	22.2	35.7	273.5	7.7	12.3	29 (8)	15 (127)	.34 (40)	1.7 (29)	33% (103)	31% (63)	.35 (53)	8% (123)	2 (66)

UCF's Power Ratings
UCF's Power Rating: -3.32 #71
UCF's Offense Rating: 6.98 #88
UCF's Defense Rating: 15.30 #56
2026 Talent Rating: 616.00 #84
Blue Chip Ratio: 15% #32
UCF's 2026 Expected Record: 5.0 - 7.0
UCF's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -1.2 #76
UCF's Offense SP+ Rating: 23.2 #98
UCF's Defense SP+ Rating: 24.0 #51

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 796.63
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75

Power Ratings Matchup
UCF: -3.32 Pittsburgh: 10.65

SP+ Ratings Matchup
UCF: -1.2 Pittsburgh: 8.4

Pittsburgh's Power Ratings
Pittsburgh's Power Rating: 10.65 #34
Pittsburgh's Offense Rating: 12.38 #58
Pittsburgh's Defense Rating: 9.48 #23
2026 Talent Rating: 782.00 #60
Blue Chip Ratio: 4 #56
Pittsburgh's 2026 Expected Record: 8.5 - 4.5
Pittsburgh's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 8.4 #36
Pittsburgh's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.6 #39
Pittsburgh's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.5 #47

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 854.47
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75

UCF Scoring
Offense: 24.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 12.8
Defense: 23.6 PPG
Defense on Road: 34.6

UCF's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0

Projected Score
Pittsburgh 34
UCF 21

Projected Total Points: 54

Pittsburgh Scoring
Offense: 33.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 36.6
Defense: 24.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 25.1

Pittsburgh's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2019	09/21	Pittsburgh	35	UCF	34	UCF -9	Pittsburgh	60.5	Over
2018	09/29	UCF	45	Pittsburgh	14	UCF -13	UCF	65.5	Under
2006	10/13	UCF	7	Pittsburgh	52

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Pittsburgh	2	1	1 Overs
UCF	1	1	1 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	2 - 1	2 - 0	1 - 0	1 - 0
Road Teams	1 - 2	0 - 2	0 - 1	0 - 1

(#71) UCF at (#34) PITT

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	UCF	PITT
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#71	#34
SP+SP+	#76	#36
Perf GradeGrade	NR	NR
OffenseOff	NR	NR
DefenseDef	NR	NR
Spec TeamsST	NR	NR
TalentTal	#84	#60
Blue ChipsBC%	#32	#56

UCF Injury Report

Pittsburgh Injury Report

UCF on Offense

Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat	UCF Off	PITT Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#107	#11
ExplosiveExp	#11	#119
PPAPPA	#88	#24
PowerPwr	#88	#23
SP+SP+	#98	#47
Pts POPPO	#94	#82
HavocHav	#106	#13

UCF Run Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat	UCF Off	PITT Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#111	#7
Run ExplRExp	#1	#69
PPAExp	#68	#7
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#126	#6
Stuff RateStuff	#128	#7
TackleTak	-	NR

UCF Pass Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat	UCF Off	PITT Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#93	#23
Pass ExplPExl	#102	#110
PPAExp	#104	#53
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#107	#8
DB HavocDB	#92	#47

Pittsburgh on Offense

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat	PITT Off	UCF Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#94	#95
ExplosiveExp	#10	#5
PPAPPA	#57	#51
PowerPwr	#58	#56
SP+SP+	#39	#51
Pts POPPO	#74	#55
HavocHav	#120	#54

Pittsburgh Run Game

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat	PITT Off	UCF Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#96	#116
Run ExplRExp	#51	#28
PPAExp	#97	#84
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#122	#101
Stuff RateStuff	#129	#112
TackleTak	-	NR

Pittsburgh Pass Game

Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat	PITT Off	UCF Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#75	#54
Pass ExplPExl	#29	#19
PPAExp	#40	#28
Pass Block/RushP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#107	#46
DB HavocDB	#123	#62

Program Comparison
PITT 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Up to Average P4

UCF 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'26 Profile: Remains Top G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Acrisure Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

No Matchups Past 4 Years

UCF's OC Steve Cooper (in his second season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Alonza Barnett	216	370	58%	2806	23	8	7.6
Keyone Jenkins (Tr)	164	263	62%	1742	9	6	6.6

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Landen Chambers (Tr)	242	1273	10	5.3	53
Alonza Barnett	127	589	15	4.6	58
Duke Watson (Tr)	49	158	1	3.2	15
Keyone Jenkins (Tr)	52	114	5	2.2	42

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Joshua Derry	73	1101	13	15.1	75
Duane Thomas Jr.	53	528	0	10.0	41
Dylan Wade	43	523	5	12.2	83
Jonathan Bibbs (Tr)	26	383	3	14.7	68

View UCF's Full Roster

UCF's DC Alex Grinch (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Lewis Carter	95	4	2	1	1
Jahleel Culbreath (Tr)	71	10	3	3	0
Demari Henderson	61	3	1	0	1
Rashad Henry (Tr)	51	3	0	1	0

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Bruno Dall (Tr)	44	8	4	6	6
Jahleel Culbreath (Tr)	71	10	3	3	0
Lewis Carter	95	4	2	1	1
R.J. Jackson	24	3	2	0	2

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jayden Bellamy	27	0	0	0	8
Bruno Dall (Tr)	44	8	4	6	6
Antoine Jackson	39	1	0	0	4

PITT's OC Kade Bell (been OC for 3 years)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Mason Heintschel	201	316	64%	2357	16	8	7.5
Holden Geriner (Tr)	0	1	0%	0	0	0	0.0

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Ja'Kyrian Turner	140	747	7	5.3	56
La'Vell Wright (Tr)	85	471	10	5.5	39
Mason Heintschel	86	88	2	1.0	36
Justin Cook	9	31	0	3.4	13

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Cataurus Hicks	24	422	4	17.6	84
Bryce Yates	11	202	1	18.4	68
Elijah Lagg (Tr)	20	164	0	8.2	17
Ja'Kyrian Turner	25	150	0	6.0	28

View Pittsburgh's Full Roster

PITT's DC Randy Bates (been DC for 3 years)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Braylan Lovelace	79	6	1	6	2
Cruce Brookins	53	1	0	0	2
Demarco Ward (Tr)	50	3	0	1	0
Alex Sanford	47	4	0	0	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jimmy Scott	17	8	4	8	1
Isaiah Neal	36	7	4	4	1
Cameron Lindsey	32	6	2	0	1
Zach Crothers	15	3	2	1	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Shadarian Harrison	29	0	0	0	3
Josh Guerrier	8	0	0	0	3
Braylan Lovelace	79	6	1	6	2