UCF (4-6) vs. Oklahoma State (1-9), Saturday, 4 p.m., ESPN+
Latest line: UCF is favored by 14 1/2 points
Matt Murschel, UCF Knights writer: UCF 14, Oklahoma State 9
With only two games remaining in the regular season, time is running out if UCF wants to make a push for a postseason bid. The Knights need to win out their remaining games, including beating the Cowboys on Saturday, before traveling to No. 12 BYU on Nov. 29. Easier said than done at this point, with UCF suffering through a rash of injuries. The Knights had 10 players listed as out for their 48-9 loss at No. 6 Texas Tech last week, and coach Scott Frost said the team is down to its final two quarterbacks: Tayven Jackson and Davi Belfort. It’s taken its toll on the offense, which has averaged just 13 points through three games this month. Saturday is Senior Day, along with the home finale for the Knights. Expect that energy to be enough to carry UCF past Oklahoma State, which has lost 16 straight Big 12 games.
Mike Bianchi, Sports Columnist: UCF 35, Oklahoma State 10
Who says this isn’t a big game? UCF still has an outside chance at a bowl game despite its disappointing season. Oklahoma State (1-9) is in a dogfight with Boston College to avoid being the absolute worst Power 4 team in the country. The Cowboys, who have lost 16 straight Big 12 games, are a special kind of awful. Their sole win came against an FCS team in August, and since then, it’s been a non-stop parade of futility. They rank last in the Power 4 in scoring defense and next to last in scoring offense. Their biggest strength is the ability to make opponents like UCF look better than they actually are.
Adam Lichtenstein, College Football writer: UCF 35, Oklahoma State 10
The good news for the struggling Knights is that things can always be worse. They will just need to look across the sideline this week to see that. The Cowboys are awful; SP+ ranks them as the worst Power 4 team in the nation. Oklahoma State can’t score (134th nationally in points per game) and can’t stop opponents from scoring (131st nationally in points allowed per game). This game should offer UCF a reprieve after a tough few weeks. Oklahoma State committed five turnovers in a 14-6 home loss to Kansas State last week. UCF ends its regular season next week at No. 12 BYU.
