UCF at Kansas Prediction - College Football Picks 10/7/23

• RJ Harvey and Johnny Richardson have split the touches again for UCF this season. Richardson led the way with 105 yards against the Bears, and he leads the team with 394 rushing yards, while Harvey gained a season-high 95 yards last weekend, and he’s right behind him with 378 yards on the ground. 

• Senior wideout Kobe Hudson left last weekend’s contest early, but he leads the Knights in receptions (21) and receiving yards (486).

• Fellow veteran Javon Baker caught three passes for a season-high 113 yards, and he’s posting splits of 17/332/2.

• The UCF defense is allowing 23.2 points per game.

Kansas Jayhawks Preview

Kansas enters at 4-1 after losing to Texas in Austin, 40-14. The Jayhawks were unable to keep up with the Longhorns in the second half, and they’ll look to regroup here at home against UCF. The Kansas offense is scoring 37.7 ppg, while passing for 283.7 ypg, rushing for 216.7 ypg, and converting 62.9% of their third downs.

KU Player Notes

• Jalon Daniels was an untimely scratch for the Texas game, but there’s a chance he returns for this bout, and that will be huge. Daniels has thrown for 705 yards, with five touchdowns to one interception through three starts. 

• If he’s unable to go, the Jayhawks carry a capable backup in Jason Bean. The senior QB struggled versus the Longhorns last week, but he brings starting experience to the position, and he’s passed for 412 yards and three touchdowns in two starts.

• Junior back Devin Neal failed to reach the 100-yard mark for the first time last weekend, so he’s due a bounce back here, and he leads KU in rushing yards (439) and touchdowns (5), with 155 receiving yards and a score through five games. 

• Sophomore RB Daniel Hinshaw has scored in four of the first five games, and he’s second on the team with 279 yards on 41 carries.

• Third-year wideout Lawrence Arnold caught four passes or more in the first four games, and he leads the team in receptions (19) and receiving yards (251).

• The Kansas defense has allowed 26.2 points per game.

Central Florida vs Kansas Trends

• UCF is 3-2 against the spread, with a 4-1 O/U record. 

• KU is 2-3 ATS, with a 3-2 over/under record.

• Central Florida’s last five road games against conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.

Corey’s Free Pick

UCF got the short end of the stick last weekend, after coming very close to their win as members of the Big 12, but they will face a much stiffer test in their return to Kansas against Lance Leipold’s team. The Jayhawks were undefeated prior to last week’s defeat, and you can bet they’ll be looking to bounce back here at home. Both teams hold dominoes at the quarterback position, with Jalon Daniels more likely to suit up then John Rhys Plumlee, and however those decisions play out will have an effect on this game. The margin is manageable for Kansas here at home, so let’s back them for this inaugural matchup.