BYU will travel to Orlando to face UCF on Saturday following a 28-24 win over No. 8 Notre Dame. According to an October 22 report by The Associated Press, the victory moved the Cougars to No. 2 in the AP Poll, marking their highest ranking since the 1984 season.
The Cougars (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) secured their win against Notre Dame via a 6-yard touchdown pass from Bear Bachmeier to Walker Lyons with 1:47 remaining. While BYU enters the game as the No. 2 team in the country, coach Kalani Sitake stated the team is focused on staying humble and hungry rather than focusing on rankings.
BYU's defense has been a primary driver of their undefeated record, allowing only 15.2 points and 274.7 yards per game. Offensively, the team ranks 11th in the Big 12 in total offense with 421.2 yards per game and ninth in scoring with 33.5 points per game. The offense has adjusted since losing running back L.J. Martin to a lower body injury on Oct. 3 against TCU.
UCF (3-3, 1-2) enters the matchup coming off a bye week. UCF coach Scott Frost noted that the game represents an opportunity to shoot for a victory during homecoming.
Keyone Jenkins is expected to make his fifth consecutive start at quarterback for the Knights. While quarterback Alonza Barnett III is expected to return to practice this week following a hamstring injury, ESPN reports he is not expected to be available for the game against BYU. The Knights will also be without linebacker Lewis Carter, who has been out since a Sept. 19 game against Georgia State, and center Jacob Maiava, who was missing during a loss to Oklahoma State on Oct. 10.
The matchup features two teams that joined the Big 12 in 2023. BYU holds a 4-1 all-time record against the Knights, including victories in each of the last two seasons. The Cougars are scheduled to return to South Bend for a home-and-home series against Notre Dame next season.
