Houston Cougars (4-7) vs. UCF Knights (5-6)
Houston Cougars vs. UCF Knights 11/25/23 – In a critical Week 13 NCAAF showdown, the Houston Cougars, struggling with a 4-7 record, face the UCF Knights, who are slightly better off at 5-6. This Saturday, November 25, 2023, the FBC Mortgage Stadium will be the battleground for these two teams seeking to improve their standings. With a 12:00 PM ET kick-off, fans nationwide will be tuning in via FS1, eagerly anticipating this clash. Expert analyst picks are already buzzing about the potential outcomes, considering the contrasting forms and strategies of both teams.
Houston Cougars’ season has been an up-and-down journey, led by Donovan Smith’s 244 completions from 377 attempts for 2640 yards (on 377 attempts, and 12 interceptions are alarming figures), however Samuel Brown has been an outstanding performer racking up 815 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns to become an important target for Smith. Parker Jenkins has provided steady ground game leadership averaging 4.9 yards per carry average.
UCF Knights have displayed more balance in their game. Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee has had an efficient year with 61% completion rate and 1820 passing yards; their strength lies in running game with RJ Harvey racking up 1160 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns alone! Wide receiver Javon Baker also excels at stretching the field as evidenced by 22.1 yards per reception average and 6 touchdowns; adding another element to their offensive playbook.
Houston Cougars vs. UCF Knights 11/25/23 Game Info
| When: | Saturday, November 25, 2023 at 12:00 PM ET |
| Where: | FBC Mortgage Stadium |
| TV: | FS1 |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Donovan Smith QB vs. John Rhys Plumlee QB
Donovan Smith has been an integral component of Houston Cougars offense this season. Completing 244 out of 377 attempts with 2640 passing yards for an accuracy rate of 64.7%. However, his 12 interceptions indicate occasional missteps or misreading of defenses; coupled with 23 sacks taken and an unfavorable net loss of 152 yards due to pressure by opponents; these stats demonstrate his capacity for significant gains as well as areas which could be exploited against him by teams possessing strong pass rush or secondary units.
John Rhys Plumlee of UCF Knights offers an alternative style. His season has been defined by efficiency and strategic play; completing 122 out of 200 passing attempts for 1820 yards at 61% completion percentage with 9.1 average yards per pass attempt indicates more selective and possibly more effective passing strategy compared to Smith. With 12 touchdown passes against 8 interceptions, he has effectively balanced risk against reward while creating balance across his game plan.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: UCF Knights -550, Total Odds: 61.5
The betting odds lean heavily in favor of the UCF Knights, with a -550 moneyline, reflecting their perceived superiority over the Houston Cougars. The total odds set at 61.5 suggest expectations of a relatively high-scoring game.
Houston Cougars Betting Trends
The Cougars’ betting trends reveal some cause for alarm. Their recent run of four UNDER games in five suggests difficulty scoring, while their 1-4 record (SU and ATS combined) suggests issues in meeting expectations against East Division opponents.
UCF Knights Betting Trends
UCF’s trends have been mixed. Their 5-10 record against the spread over their last 15 games indicates inconsistency; yet their four out of five UNDER performances, including against Houston, demonstrate strong defense. Meanwhile, four OVER appearances could suggest more aggressive strategies at home.
Houston Cougars vs. UCF Knights 11/25/23 Betting Picks
My analysis indicates that the UCF Knights appear to be the stronger team, especially considering their home advantage and balanced offense. While the Cougars could pull an upset or two, their consistency has become too inconsistent to make betting on them safe or even appealing. NCAAF matchup insights point towards UCF’s strong running game and efficient quarterback play dictating its pace during this matchup.
UCF appears to be the better pick based on current trends and performances, especially considering their favorable spread position. An over/under is likely, given both teams’ offensive capabilities. Prop bets on individual player performances – particularly RJ Harvey’s rushing yards could prove particularly profitable.
Free Pick and Prediction: UCF Knights 35, Houston Cougars 21