Florida (2-2) vs UCF (3-1)
Game Info: Saturday, October 5, 2024 at 7:45 pm (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium)
The Line: Betting Odds: Florida +2.5 / UCF -2.5 — Over/Under: 61.5
The UCF Knights and Florida Gators meet Saturday in week 6 college football action at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Here’s a UCF vs Florida Prediction. This article will include a UCF vs Florida Pick.
UCF Knights Betting Preview
The UCF Knights beat TCU, lost to Colorado, and they play Cincinnati next. UCF has lost 4 of its last 6 road games. KJ Jefferson is completing 60.5 percent of his passes for 847 yards, 7 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Kobe Hudson and RJ Harvey have combined for 478 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Randy Pittman Jr. has 9 receptions.
The UCF Knights ground game is averaging 326 yards per contest, and Harvey leads the way with 525 yards and 8 touchdowns. Defensively, UCF is allowing 24.8 points and 331.5 yards per game. Deshawn Pace leads the UCF Knights with 22 tackles, Nyjalik Kelly has 2 sacks and Mac McWilliams has 1 interception.
Florida Gators Betting Preview
The Florida Gators lost to Texas A&M, beat Mississippi State, and play Tennessee next. The Florida Gators have lost 4 of their last 5 home games. DJ Lagway is completing 66.7 percent of his passes for 617 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. Elijah Badger and Eugene Wilson III have combined for 496 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while Chimere Dike has 11 receptions.
The Florida Gators ground game is averaging 145.8 yards per contest, and Montrell Johnson Jr. leads the way with 234 yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, Florida is allowing 27.3 points and 425.5 yards per game. Grayson Howard leads the Florida Gators with 20 tackles, Tyreak Sapp has 2 sacks and Shemar James has 1 interception.
Why the Florida Gators will win
- Florida has won 15 of its last 17 games against non-conference opponents at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
- UCF has lost three of its last four October games as a road favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
- UCF has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games as a road favorite.
- Florida has covered the spread in three of its last four games in October.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Florida’s last five games in October has gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of UCF’s last four games has gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Florida ranks 20th among FBS teams for H2 points per game this season (18.8).
- Florida ranks T22nd among FBS teams for Q4 points per game this season (10.0).
- UCF ranks 4th among FBS teams for yards per game this season (543.3).
- UCF ranks 11th among FBS teams for rushing yards allowed per game this season (80.0).
UCF vs Florida Prediction
The Florida Gators have been awful this season whenever playing a decent team, and they’ve been at their worst at home. However, these are becoming must-win for Billy Napier if he’s going to stick around. Florida has had extra time to prepare, and UCF didn’t look good against Colorado last week. UCF hasn’t been good defensively in its last two games, and the offense had issues finding success against a subpar Buffaloes defense. The Florida Gators have the athletes to turn Jefferson into a passing quarterback. It’s now or never for Florida and this coaching staff. I’ll grab the points.