Preview of Utah vs UCF: Prediction, Odds, and Injury Report for Friday Night Football

• We’ve made our Utah vs UCF prediction for Friday night’s season finale
• The latest Friday night CFB odds favor the Knights by 9.5 points
• Read below for Utah vs UCF prediction, pick and odds

The Utah Utes (4-7, 1-7 Big 12) travel to Orlando to face the UCF Knights (4-7, 2-6 Big 12) in a season-ending matchup on Friday, November 29. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. ET at FBC Mortgage Stadium, with the game broadcast on FOX.

Both teams will be looking to end disappointing seasons on a high note. Utah, a preseason favorite to win the Big 12, has lost seven straight games and will miss a bowl for the first time since 2013. UCF, expected to boast one of the nation’s most dynamic offenses, has dropped seven of its last eight contests.

The Knights enter as 9.5-point home favorites with the over/under set at 46.5 points, according to consensus odds. The matchup will mark the first-ever meeting between the two programs.

Utah vs UCF Prediction

Utah’s once-promising season has been derailed by injuries, particularly at the quarterback position. The Utes have started five different QBs, with Luke Bottari expected to get the nod on Friday. Utah’s offense ranks 14th in the Big 12 in scoring (23.2 ppg) and has been held under 200 passing yards in three of the last five games.

The Utes’ defense, typically a strength under coach Kyle Whittingham, has shown cracks lately, allowing an average of 34 points over the last three games. However, they still rank 11th nationally in Defensive Line Yards and Rush Success Rate allowed, which will be key against UCF’s strong ground attack.

Kyle Whittingham on the decision to come back to @Utah_Football for a 21st season. pic.twitter.com/OhgibWEieY

— Dana Greene (@dana_greene) November 25, 2024

UCF’s offense revolves around star RB RJ Harvey, who ranks fourth in the nation with 1,458 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns. The Knights are fifth in Rush Success Rate but have struggled through the air, ranking 14th in the Big 12 in passing offense (196.8 ypg).

Freshman QB Dylan Rizk has provided a spark since taking over as the starter, throwing for nearly 800 yards and five TDs in his last three games. However, the Knights will be tested by a ball-hawking Utah defense featuring standout LB Lander Barton (66 tackles, 3 TFL).

Both teams have had their share of red zone issues, which could lead to a lower-scoring affair than the high-powered matchup many envisioned before the season. Expect Harvey to have success on the ground, but for Utah’s defense to keep things competitive.

Prediction: UCF 27, Utah 21
Pick: Under 46.5 points

Utah vs UCF Odds

The Knights opened as 9.5-point home favorites with an implied win probability of 79%. The Utes are +270 moneyline underdogs (27% implied odds), the largest spread they’ve faced this season.

UCF is just 2-5 ATS as a favorite this year and 1-3 ATS in its last four games overall. Utah is 2-0 ATS as an underdog of 10 points or less, keeping things within one score in five of its seven losses during the current skid.

The total opened at 47.5 points and has been bet down slightly to 46.5, suggesting some sharp action on the under. Both teams have hit the over in three straight games, but the under is 4-6-1 for Utah and 3-8 for UCF on the season.

Odds as of Nov. 29, at ESPN Bet. Check out ESPN Bet reviews or browse other top sports betting sites.

Utah vs UCF Injuries

Utah:

• QB Cam Rising (leg) – Out for season
• QB Isaac Wilson (knee) – Out
• RB Chris Curry (hamstring) – Questionable
• RB Jaylon Glover (knee) – Questionable
• WR Munir McClain (undisclosed) – Questionable

UCF:

• TE Jordan Davis (Achilles) – Out for season

Utah has been ravaged by injuries, particularly at QB. Cam Rising, who began the year as the starter, is out for the season after suffering a leg injury. His replacement, Isaac Wilson, will also miss the finale due to a knee injury sustained last week against Iowa State. The Utes’ top two running backs are questionable, as is receiver Munir McClain.

UCF has been largely unaffected by injuries this season. Tight end Jordan Davis, who was expected to play a significant role, tore his Achilles before the campaign and has been out all year.

On Friday night, college football fans will be treated to an exciting matchup between the Utah Utes and the UCF Knights. Both teams are coming off strong seasons and are looking to start the new season on a high note.

The Utah Utes finished last season with a record of 10-3 and are looking to build on that success this year. Led by head coach Kyle Whittingham, the Utes have a strong defense that ranked 14th in the nation last season, allowing just 19.5 points per game. On offense, quarterback Charlie Brewer will be looking to lead the team to victory with his arm and his legs.

On the other side of the field, the UCF Knights are coming off a 6-4 season and are looking to bounce back with a strong performance against Utah. Head coach Gus Malzahn will be looking to get his team back on track after a disappointing season last year. The Knights have a high-powered offense led by quarterback Dillon Gabriel, who threw for over 3,500 yards and 32 touchdowns last season.

In terms of injuries, both teams are relatively healthy heading into this matchup. Utah will be without linebacker Devin Lloyd, who is dealing with a minor ankle injury, but they have depth at the position to fill in. UCF will be without defensive lineman Kalia Davis, who is recovering from a knee injury, but they have talent on the defensive line to make up for his absence.

In terms of odds, Utah is currently favored to win this matchup by 3 points. The over/under for total points scored in the game is set at 55.5 points. Both teams have explosive offenses and solid defenses, so this game has the potential to be a high-scoring affair.

Overall, this matchup between Utah and UCF promises to be an exciting one for college football fans. With two talented teams facing off under the Friday night lights, fans can expect a competitive and entertaining game. Be sure to tune in to see who comes out on top in this early-season showdown.