Score Predictions for West Virginia vs. UCF

Our staff picks the matchup between the Mountaineers and the Knights.

The West Virginia Mountaineers (4-3, 2-2) are on the road to take on the UCF Knights (3-4, 0-4) on Saturday, with kickoff set for noon and broadcasting on FS1.

Schuyler Callihan: UCF 34, West Virginia 30

The Knights are hungry for their first Big 12 win and this is a great opportunity for them to secure that against a Mountaineer team that has been unable to finish games in each of the last two weeks. 

West Virginia's defense has plummeted back down to earth after a terrific start to the season and a big reason for that is the lack of pressure they've been able to generate. The front seven hasn't played nearly as well in recent weeks and because of it, the vulnerable secondary has been getting torched. 

UCF has a ton of speed all over its offense which doesn't bode well for a unit that has struggled to tackle. I've had this game pegged as a loss for WVU since the schedule came out and with how they've played recently, it'd be hard for me to change my mind.

Christopher Hall: West Virginia 41, UCF 38

West Virginia has been involved in chaotic fourth quarters the last two games and I suspect more mayhem in Orlando. 

UCF quarterback John Rhys Plumlee has returned to action and the Knights are poised for their first conference win after taking Oklahoma to the brink in Norman last week. In his absence, UCF has played its way as one of the nation's top rushing attacks, averaging 232.4 yards per game. 

The Mountaineers have found their stride in the passing game the last two games after leaning on a physical ground game through the first five games, and the return of Justin Johnson Jr. to the backfield may provide a much-needed spark in the rushing attack. 

West Virginia's defense struggled in the fourth quarter the last two games and gave up 149 yards to Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon in the fourth quarter last week, while UCF fields one of the worst rush defenses in the league.

The Mountaineers are coming off consecutive losses, with one loss coming on the final play and a muffed punt in the fourth quarter last week was highlighted as the cause of the outcomes. UCF lost a heartbreaker at Oklahoma and with the return of Plumlee, may have optimism heading into Saturday's matchup. 

Big 12 Conference games are typically tightly contested, and this will be no different. West Virginia stays poised in the final quarter and eeks out a win over UCF 41-38.

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