Central Florida Knights vs. Florida Gators Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 5th 2024

Preview and Prediction

Despite facing one of the most devastating hurricanes in recent history, Florida refused to let it interfere with their work during their open date.

"We didn't baby them," stated Gators head coach Billy Napier. "I can assure you of that. We had a tough three days. We worked hard on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday in full pads. We really pushed ourselves."

Napier is hoping that this hard work will pay off on Saturday night as the Gators take on in-state rival UCF in a non-conference game in Gainesville, Florida.

Napier, who is currently on a hot seat in the sports world, went into the bye week with a win. The Gators (2-2) dominated Mississippi State 45-28 on September 21st in Starkville, Mississippi. There were rumors that Napier could lose his job if Florida lost to one of the weaker teams in the Southeastern Conference, but with quarterback Graham Mertz completing 19 of 21 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns, the Gators racked up 503 total yards.

Mertz has an impressive 75% completion rate for 487 yards in three games, missing the team's 45-7 victory over FCS opponent Samford last month due to a concussion.

While the Gators had extra time to prepare, the Knights (3-1) are coming off a disappointing 48-21 loss to Colorado in a Big 12 Conference game at home last week. They never held the lead and allowed 418 total yards.

The defense struggled and the offense couldn't pick up the slack. Quarterback KJ Jefferson threw an interception in the end zone, preventing UCF from taking an early lead, and also lost a fumble in the fourth quarter that resulted in a touchdown for the Buffaloes.

"We need to be more efficient in the red zone and come away with points," Jefferson admitted. "Whether that's a touchdown or a field goal, we need to come away with something. That's on me."

The Knights currently rank third in FBS in rushing, averaging 326 yards per game, led by running back RJ Harvey and his 525 yards.

Florida holds a 2-1 advantage in the all-time series against UCF, with a perfect 2-0 record at home.

PREDICTION

Central Florida Knights

Florida Gators

Central Florida Knights vs. Florida Gators Recap OCT 5TH 2024

Graham Mertz threw for 179 yards and a touchdown while Florida's defense stifled one of the FBS' top running games in a 24-13 nonconference win over Central Florida on Saturday night in Gainesville, Fla.

In improving to 3-2, the Gators limited the Knights (3-2) to 108 yards on 40 carries, over 200 yards less than their per-game average entering Saturday (326.0). Florida held top UCF rusher RJ Harvey to 75 yards on 16 attempts.

Mertz completed 19 of 23 passes and directed an offense that was more efficient than flashy. The Gators finished with a modest 359 yards but played a turnover-free game and converted all four of their chances in the red zone.

All of Florida's points came in the first half, as it established a 24-3 advantage by the break. It initiated the scoring at the 7:02 mark of the first quarter when Mertz found Elijhah Badger for a 13-yard TD, capping a game-opening 15-play, 75-yard drive.

Grant Reddick converted a 27-yard field goal on UCF's opening possession, but that was it for the Knights until the second half. Meanwhile, the Gators ripped off 17 unanswered points to establish an insurmountable advantage.

Ja'Kobi Jackson scored on a 1-yard run with 12:50 left in the first half, cashing in on a short field of 43 yards. Montrell Johnson Jr. upped the advantage to 21-3 with a 3-yard scoring run with 1:50 remaining, and Trey Smack made it a three-touchdown cushion at intermission with a 28-yard field goal.

Reddick nailed a 37-yard field goal on the Knights' first possession of the third quarter, capping a drive that lasted nearly 8 1/2 minutes. But the visitors' only touchdown came on Harvey's 13-yard run with 7:50 left in the game.

UCF quarterback KJ Jefferson, an Arkansas transfer, completed 12 of 22 pass attempts for 165 yards and an interception. He played under constant duress, absorbing five sacks that cost his team 37 yards.