Florida Gators vs. UCF Knights: How to Watch, Game Details, and Predictions

The Florida Gators are set to clash with the UCF Knights for the fourth time in their history. The game will take place on Saturday at Steve Spurrier-Florida Field, also known as The Swamp. The Gators are looking to avenge their 29-17 loss to the Knights on Dec. 23, 2021, at the Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa. UCF is making its first trip to The Swamp since 2006.

Game Details

Teams: Florida Gators (2-2, 1-1 SEC) vs. UCF Knights (3-1, 1-1 Big 12)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 5
Time: ET
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (The Swamp), Gainesville, Florida

Where to Watch

TV Channel: SEC Network
Livestream: FUBO (free trial), ESPN Plus (subscriber only)

The game will be broadcast nationally on the SEC Network. Taylor Zarzour and Matt Stinchcomb will be in the booth, with Tori Petry as the sideline reporter. Streaming options include ESPN Plus for subscribers and FUBO, which offers a free trial.

Team Overviews

Florida Gators

The Florida Gators are 10-6 at home under head coach Billy Napier but have lost 4 of their last 5 home games. The Gators are coming off a 45-28 win over Mississippi State. The win improved Florida to 3-7 in true road games under head coach Billy Napier. The 17-point margin of victory tied for the most lopsided road win for UF during Napier's tenure (Florida won 41-24 at Texas A&M on Nov. 5, 2022).

UCF Knights

UCF is coming off a 48-21 home loss to Colorado. UCF ranks fourth-best in the FBS by putting up 543.3 yards per game. The defense ranks 51st (331.5 yards allowed per game). UCF ranks 82nd in pass offense (217.3 passing yards per game) and 107th in pass defense (251.5 passing yards allowed per game) this year.

Series History

Florida owns a 2-1 series advantage over UCF. The Gators beat UCF 58-27 at The Swamp in 1999 and 42-0 in 2006. The Knights won the most recent contest 29-17 at the Gasparilla Bowl in 2021.

Team Schedules and Records

Florida Gators 2024 Schedule

Aug 31: Miami (L, 41-17)
Sept. 7: Samford (W 45-7)
Sept. 14: Texas A&M (L 33-20)
Sept. 21: at Mississippi State (W 45-28)
Sept. 28: Bye
Oct 5: UCF
Oct 12: at Tennessee
Oct. 19: Kentucky
Oct 26: Bye
Nov. 2: Georgia (Jacksonville)
Nov. 9: at Texas
Nov. 16: LSU
Nov. 23: Ole Miss
Nov. 30: at Florida State

Record: 2-2, 1-1 SEC

UCF Knights 2024 Schedule

Aug. 29: New Hampshire (W 57-3)
Sept. 7: Sam Houston (W 45-14)
Sept. 14: at TCU (W 35-34)
Sept. 21: Bye
Sept. 28: Colorado (L, 48-21)
Oct 5: at Florida
Oct 12: Cincinnati
Oct. 19: at Iowa State
Oct 26: BYE
Nov 2: Arizona
Nov. 9: at Arizona State
Nov. 16: Bye
Nov. 23: at West Virginia
Nov. 29: Utah

Record: 3-1, 1-1 Big 12

UCF Knights 2025 Schedule

Thu, Aug 28 vs. Jacksonville State (Win 17-10)
Sat, Sep 6 vs. North Carolina A&T (Win 68-7)
Sat, Sep 20 vs. North Carolina (Win 34-9)
Sat, Sep 27 at Kansas St. (Loss 20-34)
Sat, Oct 4 vs. Kansas (Loss 20-27)
Sat, Oct 11 at Cincinnati (Loss 11-20)
Sat, Oct 18 vs. West Virginia (Win 45-13)
Fri, Nov 7 vs. Houston
Sat, Nov 15 at Texas Tech
Sat, Nov 22 vs. Oklahoma St.
Sat, Nov 29 at BYU

Predictions and Odds

As of Thursday, Oct 3, odds courtesy of BetMGM:

Betting line: UCF -2.5
O/U: 61,5 points

One prediction suggests Florida will win 41-38 due to their quarterback Graham Mertz leading a final scoring drive, setting up a game-winning field goal.

Stats & Insights

UCF 2024 Stats & Insights

UCF has been a top-25 unit, ranking fourth-best in the FBS by putting up 543.3 yards per game. The defense ranks 51st (331.5 yards allowed per game). UCF ranks 82nd in pass offense (217.3 passing yards per game) and 107th in pass defense (251.5 passing yards allowed per game) this year.

Read also: US Education System Performance

Florida 2024 Stats & Insights

Florida's defense has been a bottom-25 unit in total defense this season, surrendering 425.5 total yards per game, which ranks 24th-worst. On offense, it ranks 52nd with 424.3 total yards per contest.

Florida is generating 278.5 passing yards per game on offense this season (30th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is surrendering 236.8 passing yards per contest (93rd-ranked) on defense.

The Gators rank 55th in the FBS with 31.8 points per contest on offense, and they rank 91st with 27.3 points given up per game on the defensive side of the ball.

The Gators rank 82nd in rushing yards per game (145.8), but they've been worse defensively, ranking 24th-worst in the FBS with 188.8 rushing yards conceded per contest.

Florida has been struggling on third down, ranking 15th-worst with a 46.6% third-down conversion rate allowed per game. It has been better on offense, compiling a 36.8% third-down rate (89th-ranked).

Read also: Waterville's Colby College

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