The 3-0 UCF Knights host the 3-1 Colorado Buffaloes and Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff for the first time for game number four. The game will take place on Saturday, September 28th at 3:30 pm ET at FBC Mortgage Stadium and air on Fox. Let’s take a look at the matchup.
Bringing the Conference Home
Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff is the network’s pregame show. This Saturday will be the first time the show has been in Florida. This is a bit of a loaded fact as UCF is the only school in Florida with television ties to Fox. UCF was selected because the Knights have opened their season with three straight wins and Colorado draws strong ratings due to their head coach Deion Sanders, also known as Coach Prime. Two weeks ago, the Knights kicked off the conference schedule for the conference with an exciting 21-point comeback against TCU to win 35-34. Last week, UCF had a bye which means the Knights are rested up for this showdown with Colorado.
When UCF joined the Big 12 in 2023, it was decided that the conference would continue its previous strategy of having nine conference games. Last year, the Knights only had four home conference games. This year, the Knights have five. After this game, UCF will have four home and four away games left in the season. One of those away games is a non-conference game against Florida next week, October 5th.
Who are the Colorado Buffaloes
At this point, you cannot mention Colorado without mentioning Deion Sanders. Before Sanders arrived in 2023, Colorado was 1-11 and had been near or in the basement almost every year as a member of the PAC-12. The Buffaloes had a strong 2016 season, but that was a statistical outlier. Colorado joined Utah, Arizona, and Arizona State this season by joining the Big 12 in 2024. For Colorado, it’s a homecoming as the Buffaloes were members from the conference’s inception in 1996 through 2010.
In his previous job, Sanders coached Jackson State, an HBCU in FCS, and did very well in three seasons with the Tigers. His program made a big statement by successfully recruiting Travis Hunter, the number one recruit in the 2022 recruiting class. He also was joined by two of his sons, quarterback Shedeur and cornerback Shilo. The three transferred to Colorado with Coach Prime and all played in the 2023 season. The 2023 Colorado team started hot, going 3-0 and rising to 18th in the AP poll. In game four, the Buffaloes started their conference slate in the PAC-12 and tanked, losing eight of their last nine games to finish 4-8. This year, Colorado is 3-1, but its best win was a close game against FCS member North Dakota State. The other wins were against Colorado State and Baylor. Neither team has a very good resume.
UCF’s Offense
UCF’s rushing attack is second to none. It leads the nation, averaging 375.7 yards per game. Leading the way is RJ Harvey, who ranks eighth in the nation. He has 448 rushing yards, is tied for fourth with eight rushing touchdowns, and is one of four UCF running backs averaging at least six yards per carry. Along with Harvey have been Myles Montgomery, Johnny Richardson, and Peny Boone. Each back brings something different to the table, but Harvey is the primary back with more than double the carries and yards than any of his peers. It’s worth noting that Harvey (first), Montgomery (third), and Boone (sixth) rank in the top ten for rushing average per carry in the Big 12. Adding to the mix is dual-threat quarterback KJ Jefferson. Jefferson is fourth on the team in rushing and is very difficult to tackle due to his size.
Despite a rough start, Jefferson has been pretty efficient with his passing despite only throwing for 563 yards. His 11 yards per attempt is sixth in the nation and his 183.9 rating is good for ninth. His favorite target is Kobe Hudson, who is ninth in the nation in yards per reception with 23.8. With how strong the running game has been, Jefferson has been able to be more of a game manager. With each game, his output has improved. The last game against TCU was his best at UCF, throwing for 230 yards and three touchdowns.
Colorado’s Offense
While UCF has a slight glimmer of offensive balance, Colorado is fully dedicated to the pass. Sanders has thrown over three times as many passes as Jefferson 162 to 51. As expected, he’s thrown for 1340 yards versus 563 for Jefferson. Sanders ranks among the top quarterbacks in the nation statistically. He’s third in the country for pass completions, fourth in attempts, fourth in passing yards, and seventh in passing touchdowns. Sanders’ favorite target is do-it-all athlete Hunter. Hunter plays both on offense as a wide receiver and on defense as a cornerback. Hunter is a focal point of the passing game as he was last year. This year, he’s fourth in the nation in pass receptions and sixth in yards. His five receiving touchdowns are tied for fourth and his 472 yards from scrimmage is 20th, only 13 yards behind Harvey. Opposite of Hunter is Jimmy Horn Jr, a South Florida transfer fans might remember. Horn is winless in two tries against the Knights and will be looking for revenge. The leading rusher for the Buffaloes is Isaiah Augustave, who has run for 78 yards on 20 carries.
This will be the first time UCF and Gus Malzahn meet Colorado and Coach Prime on the football field.
UCF Knights vs Colorado Buffaloes Predictions
In its last game, UCF pulled off an improbable comeback on national television. This week, the Buffaloes are a featured game on Fox. Like against TCU, they are playing against a team that is fully committed to the pass. UCF’s defensive backfield is going to have fits keeping Colorado’s wide receivers, Hunter in particular, in check. UCF’s defensive line will have to step up against Colorado’s offensive line and bring some pressure to Sanders. This season, the Knights have only been able to muster one quarterback sack, which is not going to get it done. On the flip side, UCF’s run offense is second to none and Colorado has yet to face such a talented stable of running backs. This should be a higher-scoring affair with the home crowd forcing the Buffaloes to make some mistakes. UCF 48-44.
