Both West Virginia and UCF enter Saturday’s Big 12 showdown on three-game losing streaks, each looking to snap the skid on Oct. 18. The Mountaineers, who are sitting at 2-4 are coming off a loss to BYU, while the Knights fell to Cincinnati.
The Knights will host WVU in Orlando at 1 p.m. ET on TNT and HBO Max, as UCF enters the matchup as 7.5-point favorites. The over/under is set at 46.5 total points. Here are two key players to watch in this game, followed by the top storylines for each team, and a prediction from Heartland College Sports.
Two Key Players to Watch
Cam Vaughn (WR, WVU)
It’s no secret that West Virginia’s passing game has struggled this season, with just one 200-yard performance through the air. Still, wide receiver Cam Vaughn continues to flash the potential that’s made him the team’s leading receiver. Last week, he posted a team-high 43 yards and a touchdown, and he’s averaging an impressive 16.8 yards per catch on the year. Despite WVU cycling through four quarterbacks, Vaughn has remained a steady presence in the offense.
Myles Montgomery (RB, UCF)
Despite UCF’s recent struggles, running back Myles Montgomery has been a bright spot in the ground game. He leads the team with 86 carries for 434 yards and five touchdowns, including a pair of 100-yard performances. Facing a West Virginia defense that’s had issues stopping the run, Montgomery is poised for another strong outing.
Two Key Storylines
Is There a Clear Answer at Quarterback for West Virginia?
With Nicco Marchiol expected to miss the remainder of the 2025 season due to injury, West Virginia will need someone else to step up and guide the Mountaineers the rest of the way. Freshman Khalil Wilkins, a dynamic dual-threat option, got the start last week against BYU, while Scott Fox Jr. and Jaylen Henderson have also taken snaps under center. While the quarterback room is still unsettled, head coach Rich Rodriguez faces a critical decision as WVU looks to turn around its season.
Can UCF’s Defense Hold Its Own in the Big 12?
After a 3-0 start in which UCF’s defense held all three nonconference opponents to 10 points or fewer, the unit has struggled to find its footing in Big 12 play. However, with West Virginia’s offense underperforming, especially in the passing game, Saturday presents a potential bounce-back opportunity for Scott Frost’s defense to regain confidence and momentum. A solid showing in Orlando could go a long way in reestablishing UCF’s defensive identity down the stretch.
Prediction: UCF 24, WVU 14
West Virginia’s instability at quarterback makes it tough to trust the offense, even against a UCF defense that’s had its share of struggles. Unless the Mountaineers take a significant step forward in the passing game, or the ground attack can dominate time of possession, it’s difficult to see WVU pulling off a win on the road. While this one could stay close early, expect UCF to pull away late and notch its first Big 12 victory of the 2025 season at home.
