Arizona (3-5, 1-4 Big 12) will face UCF (3-5, 1-4) this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1, with the betting odds favoring UCF by 6 points. This matchup marks the first-ever meeting between these two teams.
Both Arizona and UCF began the season on a high note, each claiming victories in their Big 12 openers as underdogs. However, both programs have since struggled, with Arizona mired in a four-game losing streak and UCF experiencing a five-game slump. A victory in this game is crucial for either team as they look to regain momentum and aim for bowl eligibility in the closing weeks of the season.
A key aspect of this game will be the defensive play of UCF, who have shown some improvement in pressuring opposing quarterbacks in recent weeks. Nonetheless, their aggressive blitzing style has left their secondary vulnerable, with the Knights giving up an average of 247.3 passing yards per game, including 228 yards against BYU last week. Arizona’s offense is capable of exploiting this weakness, averaging 260.3 passing yards per game. Their quarterback Noah Fifita has shown flashes of potential but has struggled with accuracy, completing 59.1% of his throws, with a total of 11 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions.
In terms of standout players, Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan has become the go-to receiver for the Wildcats, having established himself as a reliable target throughout the season. Last week against West Virginia, he recorded 10 receptions for 202 yards and one touchdown, bringing his season totals to 57 catches for 982 yards and five touchdowns. He is on the verge of achieving back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons, an unprecedented feat in Arizona’s football history.
From the UCF side, running back RJ Harvey has proven to be a consistent performer despite his team’s ongoing difficulties. He surpassed the 1,000-yard mark for the season with an impressive performance last week, where he rushed for 127 yards and scored two touchdowns during the loss to No. 9 BYU. This achievement makes him the first running back in UCF history to record consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons since the Knights moved to the Football Bowl Subdivision.
In response to the prolonged losing streak, UCF has made significant changes to its coaching staff this week. The Knights parted ways with defensive coordinator Ted Roof, promoting co-defensive coordinator Addison Williams to take over. Additionally, head coach Gus Malzahn has handed over playcalling responsibilities to offensive coordinator Tim Harris Jr. There is also a possibility of a quarterback switch, as freshman Dylan Rizk took over for Jacurri Brown towards the end of the game against BYU. Should Rizk start, he would become the fourth quarterback to lead UCF this season.
This game will also be notable for Arizona, as it marks their first trip to the Eastern time zone since a matchup against Penn State back in 1999.