- Head Coach: Scott Frost (first season)
- 2024 Record: 4-8
- Strength of Schedule: 74th
- PFF Projected Win Total: 6.3
- FanDuel Win Total: 5.5
2024 Recap
UCF achieved a winning record in each of its final six seasons as a member of the American Athletic Conference, but it's been tough sledding for the Knights in the Big 12 so far, with a 10-15 combined record across their two years as a member of the conference. A 4-8 record in 2024 ultimately led to head coach Gus Malzahn's departure from the program, and former Nebraska head coach Scott Frost was brought in as his replacement.
While Frost hasn’t coached since 2022, he has plenty of familiarity with UCF’s program. He spent two years as the Knights’ head coach and, in 2017, led them to their best-ever season with a perfect 13-0 record. He’ll try to turn around UCF’s fortunes and should be able to rely on a solid rushing attack. Finding some semblance of a passing game will be key to getting the Knights to a bowl game.
Biggest Strength: What should still be a good ground game
While the Knights lost one of the best running backs in program history, RJ Harvey, to the NFL, they’re still set up nicely at the position. Myles Montgomery posted a 76.0PFF rushing grade as Harvey’s backup last year, while Western Michigan transfer Jaden Nixon logged an 80.5 PFF rushing grade in 2024.
Biggest Weakness: Will the passing game improve?
UCF earned the eighth-worst PFF passing grade in the Power Four last year (60.4) and the 11th-worst PFF receiving grade (66.1). The Knights have brand-new starters at quarterback, wide receiver and tight end, but none were high-impact players at their previous schools.
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