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The UCF Knights face their biggest test of the year against the undefeated and #7-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats. It’s Senior Day and the Knights’ home finale for the 2020 season.
ESPN will carry the game live from the Bounce House at 3:30 p.m..
Kickoff
When: 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: The Bounce House
Line: Cincinnati -4.5, Over/under 65.5 (OddsShark). This is the first time since 2016 that UCF is a home dog.
Gametime Weather: Partly cloudy, mid-70s. A bit breezy and muggy.
Threads: Big Game Gold is back, this time with a white sword stripe on the helmet.
Our look for @UCF_Football vs. No. 7 Cincinnati: ⚫️⚫️ pic.twitter.com/3WKrEa4SXM
— UCF_Equipment (@UCF_Equipment) November 19, 2020
Gameday Guide
TV
Network: ESPN
Crew: Mark Jones (play-by-play) and Dusty Dvoracek (analyst)
Series
All-time: UCF leads 3-2. The Knights are 2-0 against the Bearcats at home.
Last Meeting: Last year. It was frustrating:
Cincinnati Coming In
This is the Bearcats’ year. They’re 7-0 and in prime position for at least the G5 bid to the New Year’s Six, and with a possible outside shot at a College Football Playoff Bid. After a bit of a shaky start, they have won their last four by at least 28 points. However, they have also played six of their seven games at home, and this is their first of three straight on the road to end the regular season.
Head Coach: Luke Fickell. Urban Meyer’s former defensive coordinator at Ohio State has turned the Bearcats’ program around dramatically after Tommy Tuberville left it in ruins. After a 4-8 campaign in 2017, Cincy has won 11 games, including two bowl games, and finished in the top 25 in each of the past two years.
What to Watch For
When UCF Has the Ball
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The American’s #1 offense faces The American’s #1 defense. The game will be won or lost on this matchup. Cincy stifled UCF’s passing game last year by preventing the deep ball and forcing Dillon Gabriel into short throws, which allowed the Bearcats to confuse him with their coverages.
This year, Gabriel has matured, but so have the Bearcats, so this will be another intense chess match between Josh Heupel and Luke Fickell.
UCF Offense vs. BYU Defense
UCF Offense | FBS Rank | Value | BYU Defense | FBS Rank | Value |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
UCF Offense | FBS Rank | Value | BYU Defense | FBS Rank | Value |
Run/Pass Ratio | -- | 52/48 | Run/Pass Ratio Against | -- | 53/47 |
Plays/Game | 1 | 88 | Plays Against/Game | 15 | 65.7 |
Yards/Play | 12 | 6.7 | Yards/Play Allowed | 10 | 4.6 |
Total Offense | 2 | 585.6 | Total Defense | 9 | 308.9 |
Rushing Offense | 25 | 212.6 | Rushing Yards Allowed | 18 | 113.2 |
Passing Offense | 2 | 373 | Passing Yards Allowed | 24 | 195.7 |
Team Passing Efficiency | 12 | 162.4 | Team Passing Efficiency Defense | 37 | 126.4 |
Scoring Offense | 5 | 44.3 | Scoring Defense | 3 | 14.6 |
3rd Down Conversion Pct | 11 | 49% | 3rd Down Conversion Pct Defense | 43 | 38% |
4th Down Conversion Pct | T-56 | 58% | 4th Down Conversion Pct Defense | 23 | 41% |
Red Zone Offense | 33 | 88% | Red Zone Defense | 9 | 71% |
First Downs Gained | T-9 | 255 | First Downs Allowed | 72 | 188 |
Turnovers Lost | 42 | 10 | Turnovers Gained | 29 | 18 |
Time of Possession | 109 | 27:36:00 | Time of Possession Allowed | -- | 30:22:00 |
When Cincinnati Has the Ball
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QB Desmond Ridder is the straw that stirs the drink for the Bearcats. Although his numbers aren’t gaudy by any means (1,483 passing yards, 14 TD/6 INT, 469 rushing yards, 9 TDs), but he has efficiently led the conference’s #4 offense and made key plays with his legs when teams try to keep him contained.
This will be the acid test for UCF’s front, which has played well since the suspensions of several veterans prior to the Houston game. The Knights have allowed just 13.5 points per game on defense the last two times out, compared to more than 33 points per game in the five prior to that.
BYU Offense vs. UCF Defense
BYU Offense | FBS Rank | Value | UCF Defense | FBS Rank | Value |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BYU Offense | FBS Rank | Value | UCF Defense | FBS Rank | Value |
Run/Pass Ratio | -- | 53/47 | Run/Pass Ratio Against | -- | 56/44 |
Plays/Game | 99 | 67.3 | Plays Against/Game | 126 | 82.9 |
Yards/Play | 3 | 7.5 | Yards/Play Allowed | 80 | 5.7 |
Total Offense | 8 | 510.1 | Total Defense | 117 | 473.7 |
Rushing Offense | 45 | 187.9 | Rushing Yards Allowed | 91 | 190.2 |
Passing Offense | 11 | 322.2 | Passing Yards Allowed | 117 | 283.4 |
Team Passing Efficiency | 4 | 187.1 | Team Passing Efficiency Defense | 91 | 144.2 |
Scoring Offense | 6 | 43 | Scoring Defense | 78 | 31.4 |
3rd Down Conversion Pct | 18 | 48% | 3rd Down Conversion Pct Defense | 79 | 42% |
4th Down Conversion Pct | 43 | 60% | 4th Down Conversion Pct Defense | 84 | 61% |
Red Zone Offense | 15 | 91% | Red Zone Defense | 99 | 88% |
First Downs Gained | 4 | 274 | First Downs Allowed | T-116 | 242 |
Turnovers Lost | 17 | 9 | Turnovers Gained | 2 | 22 |
Time of Possession | 68 | 29:38:00 | Time of Possession Allowed | -- | 32:24:00 |
More Numbers
Key Stat: Cincinnati has only attempted three field goals this season, making two.
Special Teams and Misc. Stats
UCF | FBS Rank | Value | BYU | FBS Rank | Value |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
UCF | FBS Rank | Value | BYU | FBS Rank | Value |
Net Punting Avg. | 45 | 39.5 | Net Punting Avg. | 17 | 41.4 |
Kickoff Returns Avg. | 43 | 21.9 | Kickoff Returns Avg. | T-64 | 20.1 |
Field Goal Pct | 79 | 69% | Field Goal Pct | 1 | 100% |
Turnover Margin | T-4 | 12 | Turnover Margin | 18 | 9 |
Fewest Penalties Per Game | 126 | 9.4 | Fewest Penalties Per Game | 8 | 4.3 |
Fewest Penalty Yards Per Game | 122 | 77.1 | Fewest Penalty Yards Per Game | 7 | 35.2 |
Predictions
Get them here:
Get Prepped
Listen to our latest podcast as we preview the game with Clayton Trutor from our sister site Down the Drive:
Who ya got?
Who we got today, #UCF fans?#CINvsUCF #ChargeOn
— Black & Gold Banneret (@UCF_Banneret) November 21, 2020
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