By: WV Sports Chat Staff
Both West Virginia and UCF enter desperate for their first Big 12 win, mired in three-game losing streaks and mirroring each other’s chaos: QB rotations, strong ground games, and defensive inconsistencies.
West Virginia (2-4 overall, 0-3 Big 12) returns from a bye after a 38-24 road loss at BYU, where their defense forced three turnovers but the offense sputtered with two picks.
UCF (3-3 overall, 0-3 Big 12) fell 20-11 at Cincinnati last week, plagued by self-inflicted penalties on key drives.
Which team will snap a three-game skid and pickup their first Big 12 win of the season?
Season Standings:
- Jonathan K. Martin 4-2
- Justin “Couz” Walker 4-2
- Shanna Rose 3-3
- Cole Livengood 3-3
- James Gravely 2-4
Jonathan K. Martin | Both teams are 0-3 in Big 12 play, desperate to snap three-game skids. The Mountaineers are coming off a bye week – which allowed time for Rich Rodriguez to get young QB’s Khalil Wilkins and Scotty Fox more comfortable.
On the defensive side of the ball – the bye week came at a good time. Zac Alley needed to get his troops healthy and some much needed rest.
Something tells me this is a game West Virginia can win. I expect the Mountaineers to be effective on offense with a combination of WIlkins and Fox – and running back Diore Hubbard continuing to perform well – along with the defense playing well after having extra time to prepare for the Knights offense.
West Virginia 24 UCF 20
Justin “Couz” Walker | West Virginia travels to Orlando on Saturday to take on their twin, their doppelgänger, the UCF Knights. The game will kickoff at 1:00pm Eastern and air on TNT/HBO Max. Both teams come in at 0-3 in the Big 12, with rebuilt rosters and coaches who are returning to the program. Both are struggling offensively and have dealt with multiple injuries at quarterback.
However, defensively, the edge goes to UCF. The Knights are one of the best teams in the Big 12 at getting off the field on 3rd down. They also just held an explosive Cincinnati team to just 20 points. Meanwhile, WVU has went two consecutive games without making their opponent punt and with zero sacks. The special teams unit may be a key factor in what is likely to be a low scoring affair. Despite these struggles, the Mountaineers are coming off a bye week and should be well rested. Their freshmen quarterbacks, Khalil Wilkins and Scotty Fox, will have gotten more reps in practice, along with an extra week to prepare.
Because of that, I give the edge to the Mountaineers. Despite them being one touchdown underdogs, I’m taking WVU.
West Virginia 24 UCF 21
James Gravely | West Virginia had a week of resting its guys prior to this UCF game. Let’s face it though, this is a game WVU can, and should, win.
It won’t be an easy game or a cake walk, but WVU will also be without key players for another week. I do believe the Mountaineers will bounce back and gets the win against UCF.
West Virginia 28 UCF 17
Cole Livengood | For the second straight week, West Virginia will enter with a freshman QB room in starter Jaylen Henderson and backup Scotty Fox Jr. The Mountaineers entered last week’s matchup in win-now mode, and entering the fourth game of conference play, they are still looking for a win.
Now 2-4, West Virginia still has brutal games left on the schedule, like Houston, Arizona State, and Texas Tech on senior night. The Moutaineers simply cannot afford to lose this week in Tampa if they want any chance of making a bowl game. UCF, alongside West Virginia, are two of three teams in the Big 12 still seeking their first conference win this season.
The Knights enter this game following a 20-11 loss to #24 Cincinnati in a game that wasn’t as close as the score would seem. The key stat for this game is defense; UCF ranks 24th in the nation in total defense, just 308 yards of offense per game. Mountaineers rank in at 96th, giving up almost 390 per game. I think the bye week helped the Mountaineers.
West Virginia 27 UCF 21
Shanna Rose | WVU is coming off a much-needed bye week. With Jaylen Henderson doubtful for Saturday’s contest, the Mountaineers will ride with Khalil Wilkins or Scotty Fox Jr. The duo has combined to complete 15 of 29 throws for 262 yards with two touchdowns and four interceptions. Against No. 23 BYU Wilkins completed just 7 of his 15 pass attempts for 81 yards, had two touchdown passes dropped.
However, he used his legs and was the team’s leading rusher with 89 yards on 23 attempts. Fox finished the game, going 3-for-3 with 54 yards and a touchdown pass. UCF has its own quarterback issues and has dropped three straight while using three different signal-callers. Tayven Jackson started the season for the Knights and threw for three touchdowns on 906 yards but suffered an injury. Marshall transfer Cam Fancher started last game in the 20-11 loss to Cincinnati. He completed 28 of 49 passes for 222 yards, and ran 20 times for 108 yards but UCF was unsuccessful at finding the end zone.Fancher is ruled out of Saturday’s game and Jaccuri Brown is listed as questionable. Jackson is healthy this week and expected to return. Running back Myles Montgomery is a player to watch for the Knights. He is fifth in the Big 12 in rushing with 434 yards and has added 117 receiving yards.
WVU is 4-0 all-time against UCF but the Knights are favored to win. Both teams have had offensive and defensive struggles this season. I think the bye week will do the Mountaineers good and they will come out motivated and lock down the win in a close one.
West Virginia 24 UCF 21
