With the season teetering on the edge, the 3-3 UCF Knights will try to end their three-game losing streak when they travel to Ames to play the 6-0 Iowa State Cyclones. The game will take place on Saturday at 7:30 pm ET at Jack Trice Stadium and air on FS1. Let’s take a look at the matchup.
A New Quarterback
During pregame warmups last week, word got around that starting quarterback KJ Jefferson was benched and freshman EJ Colson was starting. This was surprising as Colson was buried down the depth chart. Per head coach Gus Malzahn, Colson played well in practice and earned the nod. Once the game started, the Knights rotated between Colson and redshirt sophomore Jacurri Brown. Brown looked much more comfortable than Colson and ended up playing the entire second half. There is room for improvement though as Brown’s timing with his receivers was a little off at times. This will improve with more practice. UCF’s coaching staff has kept it close to the vest who will start against Iowa State. The logical pick is Brown, who has more experience. Jefferson might have taken his last snap as a college quarterback.
Who Are the Iowa State Cyclones?
Iowa State is looking to create history and is hoping UCF becomes just another notch on its belt. The Cyclones have never had a ten-win season and the last time they won a conference title, World War I was still two years away. This is why Matt Campbell has stayed loyal to the Cyclones. At larger schools, coaches and players are just a part of history. At a school like Iowa State, players and coaches get an opportunity to write history. UCF’s story of writing history versus being a part of it isn’t much different from Iowa State.
Iowa State and UCF have scored the same number of points this year, but the Cyclones have given up far fewer. They’re led by quarterback Rocco Becht, a sophomore who had an outstanding freshman season. Last year, Becht threw for over 3,100 yards with 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He’s on pace to match that. This year, he’s thrown for 1,438 yards, ten touchdowns, and three interceptions. His completion percentage, yards per attempt, and rating have all improved this year. Catching the ball is the two-headed monster in Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins. Both have over 500 yards receiving. The Cyclones also have a triple threat in the backfield. Carson Hansen, Jaylon Jackson, and Abu Sama all have at least 50 carries and average five yards per carry.
UCF’s Offense
UCF’s offense is in transition with the change in quarterback. Last week, Brown was efficient against Cincinnati, connecting on 65% of his passes for over 200 yards with a touchdown and no turnovers. He also had 84 yards on the ground. The Knights’ offensive line has to figure out how to get the running game going. The running game is too talented to abandon and Iowa State ranks fifth in the county in passing yards per game given up. If UCF is going to win, they will need to re-establish the ground game and get RJ Harvey going. Will Iowa State follow what Colorado, Florida, and Cincinnati did by overloading the box? Does Gus Malzahn need to employ a bruiser in Peny Boone to help tire the Cyclone defensive front? One way or another, the running game has to get over 200 yards for UCF to have a chance. Last week, they fell just short at 196.
One player that needs to find his way back into the offense is tight end Randy Pittman. Pittman had been a consistent receiving threat and one of the team’s best blockers. With the quarterback change, Pittman was not able to be of much use in the offense, garnering zero targets last week. Top wide receiver Kobe Hudson continues to shine for the Knights with another 100-yard receiving game and his emotional comments after the game show a locker room leader at a time where one is heavily needed.
Iowa State’s Pass Defense
Iowa State’s strength is in their defense backfield. As a team, the Cyclones rank fifth in the nation with only 145.7 yards per game given up in the air. Their 10 team interceptions are also tied for fifth in the county. Defensive back Jontez Williams leads the team with three interceptions with Jeremiah Cooper and Darien Porter each having two. As stated earlier, UCF’s rushing offense is going to have to figure it out. An area where UCF will need to take advantage of is on third down. The Cyclones rank 96th with an opposing 42.4% conversion rate. The defensive line is almost as bad at creating sacks as UCF. The Cyclones rank 105th in sacks with nine. For reference, UCF is tied at second worst in the FBS with five.
UCF Knights vs Cincinnati Bearcats Predictions
Last week, the Knights fell 25 yards short of a comeback win. With two new quarterbacks on the field, the passing game lacked some chemistry. EJ Colson looked like a freshman on the field and Jacurri Brown was able to settle the offense down. The defense rose to the occasion, holding the second-best offense in the Big 12 to only 19 points. The defense is going to need to do this again if UCF is going to have any chance of upsetting Iowa State. While the Knights operate better as an underdog, the Cyclones are favored by 13.5 points for a reason. UCF will need to find a way to score early and be more consistent in the end zone. Iowa State playing at home gives them too much of an advantage. Iowa State wins 31-20. This will be the first matchup between UCF and Iowa State.
