UCF Knights Face Off Against Struggling Oklahoma State Today

UPDATE: UCF Knights are set to clash with the struggling Oklahoma State Cowboys today at 4 p.m. ET in the Acrisure Bounce House Stadium. This high-stakes matchup comes as both teams aim to turn around their disappointing seasons.

The Knights, currently 4-6 and 1-6 in the Big 12, are desperate for a win after suffering a crushing 48-9 defeat to Texas Tech last week. They stumbled through that game, not achieving a first down until the second quarter and finishing with less than 300 yards of offense for the third consecutive week.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma State is trying to break a staggering 16-game losing streak in Big 12 play, the fifth-longest in league history. The Cowboys are 1-9 overall, including an 0-7 record in the conference. Last week, they fell to Kansas State, which marked their ninth consecutive loss, as they managed only six points before conceding 14 unanswered points.

In their last encounter in 2023, UCF dominated Oklahoma State with a resounding 45-3 victory, powered by standout performances from running back RJ Harvey, who rushed for 206 yards and three touchdowns, and quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, who threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns.

The weather is expected to be warm at 82 degrees with no chance of rain, setting the stage for an intense showdown. The latest betting line favors UCF by 14.5 points, reflecting their previous success against the Cowboys.

3 Key Things to Watch:

1. Oklahoma State’s Defensive Improvement: Under interim defensive coordinator Clint Bowen, Oklahoma State has shown signs of improvement, reducing their points allowed from an average of 35 to 26 in recent games.
2. UCF’s Kicking Star: UCF’s Noe Ruelas is among the semifinalists for the prestigious Lou Groza Award, having made 87.5% of his field goals this season, including three from over 50 yards.
3. Fast Starts Needed: UCF has struggled to score on their first offensive possession in recent games, a trend they hope to reverse against Oklahoma State.

This game is crucial for both teams, as they seek to end their respective losing streaks and gain momentum for the remainder of the season. Fans are eagerly awaiting the kickoff, with implications not just for rankings but for future team morale as well.

Stay tuned for live updates and highlights as the UCF Knights take on the Oklahoma State Cowboys in what promises to be an electrifying matchup.