UCF hits the road to take on Pittsburgh in a Big 12 vs. ACC match up this Saturday. The Knights are fresh off a blowout 73-6 win over Bethune-Cookman, while Pitt handled Miami (OH) 59-14 in their season opener. The Panthers are looking to build on a solid 8-5 season in 2025, while UCF wants to make strides in Year 2 under Scott Frost, who went 5-7 in 2025.
Pitt has an all-time edge over UCF 2-1, but it’s UCF with the most-recent win, beating the Panthers 45-14 in the 2018 season. The game kicks off at 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, September 12th, on ESPN2. Here’s a full preview, top question to watch, odds and a prediction and pick for the game.
UCF vs. Pittsburgh Odds
- Spread: Pittsburgh -7
- Over/Under: 56.5
- Moneyline: Pittsburgh -265/UCF +215
Odds as of Tuesday evening. Odds are subject to change.
The Biggest Question: Can UCF’s Rushing Attack Win the Game?
UCF piled up nearly 10 yards per carry in its season opener against Bethune-Cookman. And yes, it’s Bethune-Cookman, but this rushing game is powerful, has speed, and a lot of depth. From Duke Watson to Landen Chambers, along with Taevion Swint, and more talent, there’s a lot to like about how this running game is setting up. The key here is also whether or not UCF will commit, and then stick to, the run game. Here’s a stat on the Pittsburgh team from 2025: Pitt went 6-0 when opposing teams ran it fewer than 34 times, and was 2-5 when offenses ran it more. If UCF can wear down this Pittsburgh defense, and prevent the tackles for loss (which was a problem at times last season for the Knights), they are well poised to pull off an upset on the road.
UCF vs. Pittsburgh Prediction and Pick
Prediction: UCF 27, Pittsburgh 24
Pittsburgh wants to let it rip through the air and keep the pressure on defenses. However, that will play into UCF’s strengths. UCF safety Demari Henderson was third on the team with 61 tackles, corners Jayden Bellamy and Antoine Jackson combined for 13 broken up passes, and add in Ty Bartrum from Harvard after an 83-tackle season. Plus, there’s Tackett Curtis at linebacker, a Wisconsin transfer, who had a strong opener for UCF with two tackles for loss and one sack, and the Knights defense under Alex Grinch is shaping up to be sneaky tough. IF UCF can win the turnover battle, which it admittedly didn’t do often last season, while Pittsburgh forced a turnover in every game last year except one, they are going to pull off the upset. But here’s the catch, Pitt didn’t do a good job protecting the ball last season, finishing -2 in turnover margin in 2026. The Knights can take advantage in this game. and the make up of this UCF team, combining its strengths against Pitt’s weaknesses, set this game up to be an upset special.
