BYU vs UCF Picks and Prediction for Saturday October 24, 2026
The No. 2 BYU Cougars will travel to Orlando, Florida, Saturday afternoon for a Big 12 matchup against the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium. The game is scheduled to begin at 3:30 PM ET, with FOX coverage. BYU enters the contest with a perfect 6-0 record and will look to remain undefeated as the Cougars continue their pursuit of a conference championship and College Football Playoff appearance. UCF enters the matchup with a 3-3 record and will try to pull off a major upset in front of its home crowd. BYU is a 7-point favorite at -270 on the moneyline. UCF comes into Saturday as a +220 underdog, and the total is set at 43.5. Stay in the action with our College Football Picks.
BYU Looks to Stay Perfect
Bear Bachmeier is leading the BYU offense this season with 1,257 passing yards and nine touchdowns on 100 completions, along with 284 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 49 carries. LJ Martin is the top ball carrier on the team with 344 yards and three touchdowns on 44 carries. Journee Tonga has added 182 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries, while Preston Rex has chipped in 181 yards and two touchdowns on 34 carries this season. Legend Glasker leads the BYU receiving corps with 444 yards and three touchdowns on 24 catches. Kyler Kasper is second on the team with 244 yards and three touchdowns on 20 receptions.
The BYU offense got the job done last week, scoring 28 points, including 21 in the first half, while compiling 360 total yards in a 28-24 victory over Notre Dame. Defensively, BYU allowed 376 total yards but made enough stops to secure the victory. Bear Bachmeier led the Cougars offensively, completing 23 passes for 224 yards and one touchdown while adding 45 rushing yards and two scores on 13 carries. Preston Rex led the ground attack with 66 yards on 10 carries. Legend Glasker and Kyler Kasper combined for 11 receptions and 132 receiving yards. Walker Lyons added 49 yards and one touchdown on five catches.
UCF in Search of a Huge Upset
Keyone Jenkins is leading UCF this season with 806 passing yards and eight touchdowns on 83 completions, along with 41 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. Alonza Barnett III has also seen time under center for the Knights, compiling 344 passing yards and two touchdowns on 31 completions. Duke Watson leads the UCF rushing attack with 483 yards and three touchdowns on 70 carries. Josh Derry leads the receiving corps with 304 yards and two touchdowns on 28 receptions. Waden Charles has added 199 yards and two touchdowns on 16 catches, while Caden Piening has contributed 149 yards and two touchdowns on 16 receptions.
UCF struggled defensively in its most recent game, allowing 42 points, including 18 in the fourth quarter, as Oklahoma State compiled 414 total yards. The Knights moved the football effectively, finishing with 375 total yards and 28 points, but managed just seven points in the second half while committing two turnovers. Keyone Jenkins led the UCF offense, completing 30 passes for 265 yards and four touchdowns. Duke Watson was the top ball carrier with 79 yards on 21 carries. Josh Derry led the receiving corps with 84 yards and one touchdown on 11 receptions, while Caden Piening added 60 yards and one score on seven catches.
BYU vs UCF Picks and Prediction
Pick: BYU Cougars
BYU has an opportunity to remain undefeated Saturday against a UCF team that has struggled to find consistency throughout the season. The Cougars have been able to win games by combining a productive offensive attack with a defense that makes opponents work for scoring opportunities. Against UCF, establishing the running game will be important because it should allow BYU to control possession and avoid putting its offense in difficult passing situations. The Knights will need to create pressure in the backfield and prevent the Cougars from consistently moving the chains on early downs. UCF has enough athleticism to make things competitive, especially if it can generate explosive plays offensively, but BYU should have an advantage in overall execution. Expect the Cougars to wear down the Knights defensively and make enough plays in the second half to remain undefeated.
Pick: Under 43.5
BYU should be able to control the tempo of this matchup if it establishes its running game and puts together sustained offensive possessions. The Cougars have little reason to turn Saturday's contest into a high-scoring battle if they can consistently move the football and keep UCF's offense on the sidelines. The Knights will need to find ways to generate explosive plays because relying on long drives against BYU could become difficult. If the Cougars can limit UCF's rushing attack and force the Knights into predictable passing situations, scoring opportunities could be limited. BYU should be able to put points on the board, but the Cougars' defensive approach could prevent UCF from contributing enough offensively to push the total higher. Look for BYU to control the game and keep the final score below the posted total.