UCF (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) is set to face No. 9 Iowa State (6-0, 3-0) this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, airing on FS1.
BetMGM has positioned Iowa State as a 13.5-point favorite for this matchup, marking the first-ever meeting between these two teams in history.
As the current landscape shows, Iowa State finds itself tied for first place in the Big 12 and boasting its first top-10 ranking since 2021. This is particularly momentous given that the Cyclones have not maintained an undefeated start over six games since 1938.
Conversely, UCF began the season strong at 3-0 but has faced a rough patch, characterized by quarterback struggles and a troubling three-game losing streak that has seen the Knights commit seven turnovers and score only two touchdowns over the course of eight quarters.
While Iowa State is striving for its inaugural outright conference championship, UCF faces a challenging route ahead as it enters the most demanding segment of its schedule in Ames.
A significant aspect to watch in this game will be the Iowa State passing attack against the UCF pass defense. The Cyclones have benefitted from quarterback Rocco Becht’s reliability, alongside the standout receiving duo of Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins.
Becht is currently averaging 9.1 yards per throw and has thrown just one interception over the last three contests. In contrast, UCF has allowed an average of 311 passing yards in Big 12 games, with opposing signal-callers completing 68.9% of their pass attempts.
Players to keep an eye on include Iowa State’s cornerback Jontez Williams, who is making strides in his first season as a starter. He has recorded interceptions in three successive games, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished by an ISU player since 2018 and is particularly noteworthy for a conference matchup since 2005.
UCF’s quarterback situation could also impact the game significantly. Freshman EJ Colson recently became the youngest player to start an FBS game this season, stepping in for transfer KJ Jefferson in the contest against Cincinnati. Miami transfer Jacurri Brown also saw considerable playing time against the Bearcats.
In terms of performance statistics, Iowa State is 3-0 in Big 12 play for the first time since 2020, marking the third time overall the program has achieved this record. The Cyclones have amassed a total of 39 Big 12 victories since 2017, tying them with Oklahoma State for the most among current league members.
For UCF, wide receiver Kobe Hudson has made a catch in 29 consecutive games, showcasing his consistency with three 100-yard receiving performances.
Additionally, Iowa State currently shares second place in the FBS with 26 interceptions since the 2023 season began, while UCF’s defense has recorded six interceptions, the highest increment through six games since 2021.