Houston Cougars vs UCF Knights Prediction, 11/25/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Houston Cougars vs UCF Knights

Date: Saturday, November 25, 2023

Location: FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, FL

TV: FS1

Odds/Point Spread: Knights (-13)

Total/Over-Under: 61.5

The Houston Cougars (4-7) are headed to FBC Mortgage Stadium on Saturday, November 25, 2023 where they will play the UCF Knights (5-6). UCF opens as 13-point favorites from Vegas oddsmakers. The total comes in at 61.5.

The Houston Cougars come into this matchup with a record of 4-7 this season. In their last game, the Cougars faced off with the Oklahoma State Cowboys and ended up losing by a score of 43-30. Donovan Smith finished 17/29 with 235 yards through the air and 1 touchdown. He had a QB rate of 124.3 and walked away from the game with 2 picks. Donovan Smith was the leader on the ground for the Cougars with 13 attempts for 63 yds (4.8 yds per carry). The Houston Cougars ran the football 28 different times and recorded 130 yds, which came out to an average of 4.6 yds per carry. In all, they tallied 58 plays for 393 yds. Houston conceded 29 completions on 43 attempts for 348 yds, and a completion rate of 67.4%. In the running game, the Cougars gave up 153 yds on 35 attempts, which is 4.4 yards per rush surrendered.

The Cougars have attained 4,063 yards in total this season. When it comes to getting in the endzone, Houston has totaled 23 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns. They have turned the ball over 14 times. Houston has recorded 213 first downs as a team, and they have been called for 64 penalties for 570 yds. As a team they average 120.9 yards on the ground ranking them 105th in the nation. In terms of getting in the endzone, the Houston Cougars have an average of 24.6 points per game.

Regarding yards through the air, the Cougars are giving up 2,811 yds which has them sitting in 115th in the country. They have relinquished 255.5 yards per contest via the pass and allowed a completion percentage of 67.1%. Over the course of this season, they are giving up 419.2 yards per contest ranking them 114th in college football. They have surrendered 20 touchdowns by air and 24 touchdowns pounding the rock. The opposition is running for an average of 4.2 yards per run and 163.6 rushing yards per contest this season. Overall, they have conceded 1,800 rushing yards through 11 games. The Cougars are ranked 112th in Division 1 when it comes to their opponents scoring, allowing 31.9 points per contest.

Get all of our College Football Picks this Week

The Knights head into this matchup 5-6 for this season. In their last game, the Knights went home defeated by a final of 24-23 when they played the Texas Tech Red Raiders. John Rhys Plumlee (1 touchdown) walked away from the game with 248 yards on 16/32 through the air while his QB rating was 119.2. He tossed 1 pick and his average yards per pass attempt was 7.8. John Rhys Plumlee ran the ball 13 times for 84 yards, ending the contest with 6.5 yards per carry for UCF. The Knights ended up finishing with 486 yds while they ran 72 plays (6.8 yds per play). UCF ran the football for 6.0 yards per attempt, totaling 238 yards on 40 carries. UCF gave up 29 attempts on the ground for 190 yards (6.6 yds per rush). The Knights passing defense conceded a completion rate of 61.8%, surrendering 256 yds on 21 for 34 passing.

The UCF Knights are averaging 493.7 yards/contest, which has them ranked 6th in Division 1. The UCF offense has totaled 563 yds of penalties on 68 infractions, which has them ranked 52nd in college football in terms of making mistakes. They maintain an average of 234.1 yards per game via the rush and have rushed for 2,575 yards overall. They have thrown 10 interceptions while conceding 6 fumbles and they have been able to obtain 259 1st downs. When it comes to their ability to score points, the Knights are sitting 32nd in the nation averaging 33.0 points per outing. Over the course of the season thus far, the Knights have thrown for a total of 2,856 yards via the pass along with holding an average of 259.6 passing yards per contest, which has them ranked 43rd in the nation.

UCF has allowed a total of 2,148 yards on the ground (195.3 yards/game) and 24 touchdowns via the rush this season. They have conceded 10 touchdowns through the air in addition to 209.5 yards per contest, which has them sitting 41st in D-1. They have earned 4 fumbles recovered and 10 interceptions this season. The Knights defense has been on the field for 765 plays, which has them sitting 97th in college football. The Knights are surrendering 26.5 PPG, which has them 69th in the nation. Over the course of the season, they have conceded 292 pts.

Who will win tonight's Cougars/Knights college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Cougars +13

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here