The eighth annual Space Game for the 3-5 UCF Knights (Citronauts) has a much more desperate vibe as they host the 3-5 Arizona Wildcats. The game will take place on Saturday at 3:30 pm ET at FBC Mortgage Stadium and air on FS1. Let’s take a look at the matchup.
Space Game Panic Mode
Two stories are going on this week. The first is that this Saturday is the eighth annual Space Game. Since 2017, UCF has rebranded itself as the Citronauts, an unofficial mascot from the late 1960s highlighting the school’s historical connection to the space industry. The equipment team designs a custom uniform where each detail has a story and a purpose. The uniform is an annual finalist for UNISWAG’s uniform of the year and has won multiple times. UCF is 7-0 in Space Games and the pressure is high to keep the undefeated streak going.
The second story is that head coach Gus Malzahn has entered panic mode. On Monday, he announced that defensive coordinator Ted Roof had been relieved of his duties and that Addison Williams will assume the role. Williams was a first-time defensive coordinator in 2023 and there were some growing pains. Malzahn hired Roof, who once was hired by George O’Leary at UCF in late 2011 for a cup of coffee before leaving for Penn State a month later, to help the team and mentor Williams. That experiment lasted eight games before Malzahn made a change. Unfortunately for UCF, Roof will be paid over $750k not to coach over the next year and change.
He also mentioned that he would be relinquishing play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Tim Harris so he could focus on other head coach duties. This isn’t the first time fans have heard this same commitment. Last year Malzahn said Darin Hinshaw would be calling the plays, which ended up not happening. This year might be different as Malzahn’s seat is heating up. UCF’s recruiting has taken a hit over the last month and the offense has not been producing. Malzahn’s saving grace is his eight-figure buyout. Harris brings a different energy that might help get the offense going.
Who Are the Arizona Wildcats?
The Arizona Wildcats had high expectations coming into 2024. They went 10-3 in their final year of the PAC-12 and ranked 11th in the AP Poll. They defeated Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl. This year, they joined the Big 12 Conference. Their head coach last year, Jedd Fisch, left to become the new head coach at Washington, but that did not stop the Big 12 media from voting Arizona to finish fifth while receiving three first-place votes. That media poll ended up being extremely off with several teams. Replacing Fisch is Brent Brennan, the former head coach at San Jose State. Under Brennan, San Jose State had its best run since the early 1990s, but it took time to get things moving. In Brennan’s first two seasons, the Spartans went a combined 3-22 and they did not have a winning season until Brennan’s fourth season as head coach.
Note: Andrew did not vote in the 2024 media poll.
It’s understandable why the media expected Arizona to be competitive. At the helm is returning junior quarterback Noah Fifita. Last year, Fifita passed for over 2,800 yards with a 25-to-six touchdown to interception ratio. He completed 72.6% of his passes and was considered one of the top passers entering the 2024 season. This season has not gone as planned. While Fifita has improved his yards per game numbers, he’s completed just shy of 60% of his passes and has an 11-to-10 touchdown to interception ratio. Part of the problem is with his wide receivers. Outside of star junior Tetairoa McMillan, there has been a void in the wide receiver room. McMillan has 982 yards and five touchdowns. That is over 47% of Fifita’s passing yards and 45% of his touchdowns. Without McMillan, Arizona’s offense would simply stop.
UCF’s Offense
With Harris taking over playcalling, UCF’s offensive scheme could look different than in previous weeks. The first question is who is going to start at quarterback? Since taking over during the Cincinnati game, it has been Jacurri Brown. However, Brown’s passing game since becoming the starter has been lackluster at best. During Brown’s two starts, he completed 16 of 37 passes for 158 yards, no touchdowns, and four interceptions. That’s bad. Against Iowa State, it wasn’t a surprise, but to also play poorly against BYU isn’t going to cut it. In garbage time, redshirt freshman Dylan Rizk stepped in and looked much sharper in his throws, outplaying Brown. Harris will need to decide if will still go with Brown or take a risk with Rizk.
The running game over the last two games has found its missing spark. Behind RJ Harvey, the Citronauts average 267 yards per game and Harvey has climbed up to third in the nation in rushing yards. Harvey is 11th in rushing attempts, 15th in average per carry, and tied for sixth in rushing touchdowns. He’s the engine that moves the UCF offense and the first running back since Marquette Smith in 1994-1995 to have back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons. Arizona gives up on average 151 yards per game on the ground, which plays to UCF’s advantage.
UCF Citronauts vs Arizona Wildcats Predictions
Last week, the Knights got beat pretty soundly against the BYU Cougars. The Citronauts offense struggled to find consistency and Jacurri Brown had another bad game. Rizk came in during garbage time and looked sharp enough that fans and media started asking questions about who will start against Arizona. By the time this preview was published, no change had been announced. Assuming Brown is still starting, the UCF’s offensive line is going to have to work to open up holes for Harvey because the offense cannot rely on the pass.
This is the Space Game though and the Citronauts have had massive success, even against good teams. Last year, UCF ran roughshod over Oklahoma State 45-3 in a game that ended up being the signature win of the season. Arizona has had a disappointing year despite success last year and high expectations this season. UCF should rise and continue the Space Game-winning tradition by defeating Arizona 31-17. This will be the first matchup between UCF and Arizona.
