BYU at UCF - 2026 Matchup Preview
BYU logo

BYU Cougars at UCF Knights

UCF logo
Saturday, October 24th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Bright House Networks Stadium - Orlando, FL  (Big 12)

 
Cougars (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Kalani Sitake (84 - 45)
Avg Score : 31 - 19 (28 - 22 on Road)
Record Prediction: 9.3 - 2.7 (#11)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 2) (Avg: 6) (Bad: 1)
UCF coming off BYE
BYU is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: BYU -10.5  (SP+ BYU -17)

Projected Score: BYU: 30 - UCF: 20 (50)
BYU Win prob: 76% | Cover: 44%
BYU Travel: 1901 miles, 2 hrs behind
Knights (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Scott Frost (24 - 14)
Avg Score : 24 - 24 (33 - 16 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6.8 - 5.2 (#50)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 4) (Avg: 4) (Bad: 3)
 
BYU's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 BYU vs Utah Tech-40.5
Sat 9/12 BYU vs Arizona-10.5
Sat 9/19 BYU at Colorado State-25.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/3 BYU at TCU-5.5
Sat 10/10 BYU vs Iowa State-12.5
Sat 10/17 BYU vs Notre Dame+7
Sat 10/24 BYU at UCF-10.5
Sat 10/31 BYU vs Arizona State-13.5
Sat 11/7 BYU at Utah+3.5
Sat 11/14 BYU vs Baylor-15.5
Sat 11/21 BYU at Kansas-11
Sat 11/28 BYU vs Cincinnati-17

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 2, Avg 6, Bad 0, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 2, Avg 6, Bad 0, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for BYU's Schedule
UCF's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3 UCF vs Bethune-Cookman-27.5
Sat 9/12 UCF at Pittsburgh+8
Sat 9/19 UCF vs Georgia State-25
Sat 9/26 UCF vs TCU+2.5
Sat 10/3 UCF at Houston+6
Sat 10/10 UCF at Oklahoma State-4
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24 UCF vs BYU+10.5
Sat 10/31 UCF vs Baylor-2.5
Sat 11/7 UCF at Kansas+2
Sat 11/14 UCF vs Arizona State-0.5
Sat 11/21 UCF vs Iowa State+0.5
Sat 11/28 UCF at Colorado-3

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 4, Avg 4, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 4, Avg 4, Bad 2, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for UCF's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
BYU#34 (.22)46% (33)31.447% (32)3 (58)17944% (48)2214.03 (39)#31 (.09)39% (37)19.139% (33)40% (59)3.29 (35)45.41.11.7
UCF#88 (.14)39% (107)24.339% (111)2.61 (126)15840% (93)2213.49 (94)#51 (.12)44% (95)23.647% (116)40% (54)3.52 (55)57.21.51.2
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
BYU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
UCF0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
BYU Offense1431.427.545.5%4.031.1224001792214.853%45%47%44%14%.22
UCF Defense1223.615.743.7%3.521.2 - - - - - 54%45%47%40%16%.12
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
BYU Defense1419.121.839.1%3.291.7 - - - - - 47%52%39%40%16%.09
UCF Offense1224.332.639.1%3.491.5183791582214.945%53%39%40%17%.14

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
BYU1432:4221.941%58%5.445.41.11.75.32.1428.8
UCF1229:5518.234%56%7.657.21.51.25.62.1228.4
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
BYU Offense1453% (37)47% (32)37.7179.14.833 (16).2 (26)3 (58)82% (5)8% (27)0.95 (77)
UCF Defense1254% (110)47% (116) - - - - .12 (84)3.06 (101)85% (132)10% (46)0.88 (28)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
BYU Defense1447% (33)39% (33) - - - - .06 (45)2.83 (54)75% (96)10% (70)0.96 (71)
UCF Offense1245% (106)39% (111)32.3158.24.919 (26).11 (68)2.61 (126)62% (123)11% (107)1.25 (1)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
BYU Offense1445% (102)44% (48)18.428.8221.17.712.115 (86)7 (20).28 (54)1.5 (94)30% (40)30% (76).34 (54)6% (65)2.1 (47)
UCF Defense1245% (28)40% (54) - - - - - - 9 (55).16 (28)1.4 (19)31% (81)25% (16).11 (7)6% (62)1.7 (5)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
BYU Defense1452% (107)40% (59) - - - - - - 17 (12).18 (37)1.5 (23)34% (36)26% (22).16 (16)6% (52)1.9 (24)
UCF Offense1253% (30)40% (93)20.833.6220.86.610.612 (114)12 (34).18 (104)1.5 (102)33% (105)24% (126).19 (116)7% (92)2.3 (9)

BYU's Power Ratings
BYU's Power Rating: 18.37  #20
BYU's Offense Rating: 19.78  #23
BYU's Defense Rating: 6.41  #17
2026 Talent Rating: 834.00  #51
Blue Chip Ratio: 11%  #36
BYU's 2026 Expected Record: 9.3 - 2.7
BYU's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 15.9  #18
BYU's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.9  #24
BYU's Defense SP+ Rating: 18.8  #22

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 824
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

Power Ratings Matchup
BYU: 18.37   UCF: 6.66

SP+ Ratings Matchup
BYU: 15.9   UCF: -1.2




UCF's Power Ratings
UCF's Power Rating: 6.66  #38
UCF's Offense Rating: 14.40  #62
UCF's Defense Rating: 9.88  #31
2026 Talent Rating: 706.00  #74
Blue Chip Ratio: 6  #53
UCF's 2026 Expected Record: 6.8 - 5.2
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 824
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9


BYU Scoring
Offense: 31.4 PPG
Offense on Road: 27.5
Defense: 19.1 PPG
Defense on Road: 21.8

BYU'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
BYU 30
UCF 20


Projected Total Points: 50
UCF Scoring
Offense: 24.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 32.6
Defense: 23.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 15.7

UCF'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


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202511/29BYU41UCF21BYU -17.5BYU46.5Over
202410/26UCF24BYU37UCF -2.5BYU53.5Over
202012/22BYU49UCF23BYU -6BYU80.0Under
201410/09UCF31BYU24UCF -3UCF0
201109/23BYU24UCF17
TeamWinsCoversO/U
UCF112 Overs
BYU431 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams4 - 13 - 13 - 10 - 0
Road Teams1 - 41 - 30 - 01 - 3

(#20) BYU at (#38) UCF
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatBYUUCF
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #20 #38
SP+SP+ #18 #76
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #51 #74
Blue ChipsBC% #36 #53
BYU Notes
(2/14) Vibes: High, B12 race, WR now huge concern
(2/13) Lead WR Parker Kingston kicked off team (legal)
(2/10) 17 back w starting exp, most in CFB, 6 exp depth
(2/2) HC Sitake renaissance last two years, great job
(1/29) New DC Poppinga (STC in '25) in for Jay Hill (UM)
(1/29) QB Bachmeier back, good Fr yr. Lyons big croot
(1/29) RB LJ Martin is a load, gets 90% of carries. Depth?
(1/29) WR Kingston back, big return. Must find depth
(1/29) OL 3 starters back, 2/3 portal adds starters.
(1/29) DL decent, returns 2-3 starters. Depth has options
(1/29) LBs have exp, 2 starters + portal Uluave (Cal) big
(1/29) DBs look really good. Pass Def was good LY
BYU Injury Report
UCF Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Hopeful w portals, yr 2 of Frost era #2
(2/9) QB Barnett (JMU) great add, dynamic 3 yr starter
(2/9) RB Duke Watson (Lou) also great add, inj LY
(2/9) RB L Chambers (FCS CA) an intriguing add
(2/9) WR avg at best, Derry (FCS Mon) could be weapon
(2/9) TE Dylan Wade helps route tree, depth?
(2/9) OL awful LY, 4 portals. Has 6 w good exp & prod.
(2/9) F7: 11 portals will fix a terrible Run Def this yr
(2/9) DBs look good too, decent duo of CBs, good S
(2/9) Love what UCF has added. Could really improve
UCF Injury Report
BYU on Offense
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 44%
CategoryCat
BYU OffUCF Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #33 #95
ExplosiveExp #106 #5
PPAPPA #34 #51
PowerPwr #23 #31
SP+SP+ #24 #51
Pts POPPO #39 #55
HavocHav #43 #54
BYU Run Game
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 44%
CategoryCat
BYU OffUCF Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #32 #116
Run ExplRExp #77 #28
PPAExp #26 #84
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #58 #101
Stuff RateStuff #39 #112
TackleTak - NR
BYU Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 55%, Pass: 44%
CategoryCat
BYU OffUCF Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #48 #54
Pass ExplPExl #94 #19
PPAExp #54 #28
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #27 #46
DB HavocDB #65 #62
UCF on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 45%
CategoryCatUCF OffBYU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #107 #37
ExplosiveExp #11 #54
PPAPPA #88 #31
PowerPwr #62 #17
SP+SP+ #98 #22
Pts POPPO #94 #35
HavocHav #106 #65
UCF Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat
UCF OffBYU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #111 #33
Run ExplRExp #1 #71
PPAExp #68 #45
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #126 #54
Stuff RateStuff #128 #38
TackleTak - NR
UCF Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 45%
CategoryCatUCF OffBYU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #93 #59
Pass ExplPExl #102 #23
PPAExp #104 #37
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #107 #70
DB HavocDB #92 #52
Program Comparison
UCF 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'26 Profile: Remains Top G5

BYU 5 Year Profile: Improving Average P4
'26 Profile: Up to Top 25 Contenders

Weather Forecast
Playing in Bright House Networks Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
BYU beat UCF last year (41-21)
BYU beat UCF in 2024 (37-24)

  
BYU's OC Aaron Roderick (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Bear Bachmeier25138765%30331577.8
Treyson Bourguet1250%8004.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
LJ Martin2361305125.549
Bear Bachmeier147527113.622
Jovesa Damuni1911115.819
Cody Hagen993210.357
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
LJ Martin3625507.126
Walker Lyons (Tr)20223211.226
Jojo Phillips14161011.521
Cody Hagen129708.124

View BYU's Full Roster

BYU's DC Kelly Poppinga (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Cade Uluave (Tr)9712344
Faletau Satuala798114
Isaiah Glasker639391
Siale Esera443141
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Cade Uluave (Tr)9712344
Bodie Schoonover335333
Isaiah Glasker639391
Anisi Purcell112200
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Evan Johnson422107
Therrian Alexander313125
Cade Uluave (Tr)9712344

UCF's OC Steve Cooper (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Alonza Barnett21637058%28062387.6
Keyone Jenkins (Tr)16426362%1742966.6
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Landen Chambers (Tr)2421273105.353
Alonza Barnett127589154.658
Duke Watson (Tr)4915813.215
Keyone Jenkins (Tr)5211452.242
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Joshua Derry (Tr)7311011315.175
Duane Thomas Jr.53528010.041
Dylan Wade43523512.283
Jonathan Bibbs (Tr)26383314.768

View UCF's Full Roster

UCF's DC Alex Grinch (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Lewis Carter954211
Jahleel Culbreath (Tr)7110330
Demari Henderson613101
Rashad Henry (Tr)513010
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Bruno Dall (Tr)448466
Jahleel Culbreath (Tr)7110330
Lewis Carter954211
R.J. Jackson243202
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jayden Bellamy270008
Bruno Dall (Tr)448466
DJ Bell170004