UCF in must-win situation at No. 11 BYU with postseason hopes on the line

At this time last year, UCF was preparing to face Utah in a relatively meaningless game.

The Knights had been eliminated from bowl eligibility the previous weekend after losing 31-21 at West Virginia. A day following a disappointing 28-14 loss to the Utes, Gus Malzahn announced he was stepping down as coach to become offensive coordinator at Florida State.

Around the same time, Scott Frost received a call about the vacant head coaching position at UCF. He was in New Orleans, serving on the Los Angeles Rams staff, and preparing to face the Saints.

“I got a call for the first time that this might happen and I didn’t give it much thought,” Frost recalled on Monday. “I was actually walking around New Orleans finding a couple of little gifts to give my kids and my wife.”

Seven days later, UCF announced it was bringing Frost back as its next coach.

Bianchi: UCF escapes, Scott Frost exhales and reality sets in

Fast forward to this week and UCF (5-6, 2-6 Big 12) finds itself one win away from being bowl-eligible for the first time since 2023. The Knights, however, face the unenviable task of traveling to Provo, Utah, on Saturday to face No. 11 BYU (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) in the season finale.

The Cougars are in the hunt for their first Big 12 title along with Texas Tech, Arizona State and Utah. A win over UCF on Saturday clinches a spot for BYU in the conference championship game on Dec. 6 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

A win by BYU also keeps their hopes alive for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Nevertheless, it’s quite the accomplishment for the Knights to play in such a meaningful game on Thanksgiving weekend against a top-15 opponent on national television, considering where they began the season, with a new coaching staff and a roster featuring 70 newcomers. Expectations outside of the program were low, with many picking UCF to finish near the bottom of the Big 12.

“It’s been constantly busy ever since [arriving] and it’s been a lot of first-year things with us learning a lot,” Frost said. “It’s been a heck of a lot of fun and a lot of work at the same time. We have the right guys around and everybody knows what the expectations are and we’re building to that, but first years are always a lot of work.”

Every game is important and this game is a great opportunity for us to go compete with one of the best in the league and measure ourselves,” said Frost. “This group we have this year, this is our last opportunity and they could finish the year in a really special way.”

This is the third time that UCF has entered a game this season as a double-digit underdog, with the oddsmakers making BYU a 17.5-point favorite. The previous times were against Cincinnati (-10) and Texas Tech (-24.5). Each time, those games ended in a loss.

The last time the Knights won as a double-digit underdog was against No. 7 Auburn in the 2018 Peach Bowl.

“Getting that sixth win would mean a lot, especially against a good team that is trying to get to the Big 12 championship,” added redshirt junior cornerback Jayden Bellamy. “We could really make our mark for a bowl game and then go into the following year.”

Even if UCF doesn’t pull off the upset on Saturday, the Knights have accomplished a lot considering the challenges they’ve faced throughout the season.

Injuries have forced the team to play thin at several positions, particularly at quarterback, where Cam Fancher, Jacurri Brown and Tayven Jackson have all missed time, leading to plenty of missed opportunities.

This week’s game provides UCF a chance to finish strong.

“We intentionally don’t put any more emphasis on one game than another, but I want players who play like the season is on the line in every game,” said Frost. “We’ve got players that think that way and are going to lay it on the line every chance they get.”

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