UCF Knights (1-0) vs. Boise State Broncos (0-1)
UCF Knights vs. Boise State Broncos 9/9/23 – UCF Knights (1-0) and Boise State Broncos (0-1) will face off in an early season showdown at Albertsons Stadium and broadcast live by FS1 on September 9, 2023. Both teams look to gain momentum as they prepare to begin non-conference schedules. Stakes for both sides are high.
UCF comes into this matchup led by Running Back Johnny Richardson, who amassed 100 rushing yards on just 12 attempts during their previous matchup. Additionally, Wide Receiver Xavier Townsend showed his abilities by catching five passes for 81 yards and scoring a touchdown – both key components that make their offense multidimensional and hard to contain.
Boise State Broncos are led by Running Back George Holani, who had 10 rushes for 51 yards during their season opener. Wide Receiver Eric McAlister contributed seven receptions for 69 yards despite failing to score any touchdowns in that game. These players serve as cornerstones of Boise State’s offensive unit. Check out our free daily football picks for more insights.
UCF Knights vs. Boise State Broncos Game Info
| When: | Saturday, September 9, 2023 at 7:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Albertsons Stadium |
| TV: | FS1 |
| Stream: | SofaScore |
John Rhys Plumlee QB vs. Taylen Green QB
UCF’s John Rhys Plumlee and Boise State’s Taylen Green have different styles and efficiencies that they bring to the quarterback position. Plumlee posted an impressive performance in his season opener, throwing for 281 yards with a 73.3% completion rate and 3 touchdowns. However, he also threw two interceptions and was sacked once, causing a slight blemish on his 171.7 passer rating.
On the other side, Green had a difficult time, completing only 48.7% of his passes for 244 yards. His 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions gave him a passer rating of just 99.5. Furthermore, Green was sacked once, indicating room for improvement in pocket awareness and offensive line performance.
While Plumlee displays a better arm and higher efficiency, Green will be hungry to bounce back from a lackluster debut. The key differentiator here is Plumlee’s proven capacity to make high-impact plays, something Green has yet to demonstrate consistently. With greater aerial power and experience, Plumlee appears to have the upper hand in this duel of quarterbacks.
Odds/Point Spread: UCF Knights -140, Total Odds: 55.5
The betting odds slightly favor the UCF Knights with a spread of -1.5 and Moneyline odds of -140. Boise State’s spread is +1.5 with a Moneyline of +120. The total over/under is set at 55.5.
UCF Knights Betting Trends
UCF has a poor recent record against the spread, going 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games. However, they are strong straight up, boasting a 13-5 SU record in their last 18 games. Moreover, the Knights tend to see high-scoring affairs with the total going OVER in 10 of their last 12 road games. Despite their subpar ATS performance, UCF’s overall strong SU record, especially in September games where they are 16-3, makes them a team to consider seriously.
Boise State Broncos Betting Trends
Boise State has struggled in recent games against the spread, going 1-4 ATS in their last 5 and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 Saturday games. However, they hold a strong SU record of 8-3 in their last 11 games. Interestingly, games at Albertsons Stadium tend to be high-scoring, with the total going OVER in 5 of Boise’s last 6 home games. Yet, their ATS struggles make them a risky bet, especially against a team that has historically performed well in September.
UCF Knights vs. Boise State Broncos 9/9/23 Betting Picks
Considering both teams’ strengths and weaknesses, UCF seems to have a slight edge, especially at the quarterback position. While Boise State’s home-field advantage should not be underestimated, UCF Knights’ stronger overall stats and better quarterback play tip the scales in their favor. While the game is likely to be closely contested, the UCF Knights are the safer pick based on the odds, key player performance, and betting trends. Expect a high-scoring affair, likely breaking the 55.5 total set by oddsmakers. For more insights, check out our free latest sports picks and predictions.
Free Pick and Prediction: UCF Knights will win 31-27