UCF has already taken one big step by finally shaking off its road losing streak. Now the Knights are staring at a different kind of milestone: one more win, and bowl eligibility is theirs.
The math is simple. UCF needs at least one victory over its next three games to reach the six wins required for a postseason berth, and ESPN’s latest Football Power Index gives the Knights a 94% chance of getting there.
The projections line up in UCF’s favor as well, with ESPN Analytics listing the Knights as a 67.6% favorite against Arizona State this weekend, 62.6% against Iowa State next week and 55.8% against Colorado on Nov. 28.
Still, Scott Frost isn’t interested in turning the conversation into a postseason countdown.
“We can’t look at big-season goals while we’re in the season,” Frost said. “We’re focused on this week.
Our players better be focused on this week. If we win this week, we get to six and we can talk about it then.”
That same approach is showing up inside the locker room. Taevion Swint kept the message short and direct: “Stay focused. Don’t let the little things distract us,” said running back Taevion Swint.
Arizona State is in a similar spot. The Sun Devils are 5-4 overall and 3-3 in the Big 12, and they can clinch bowl eligibility with a win over UCF on Saturday. A victory would also give Arizona State its third straight postseason appearance.
Kenny Dillingham is taking the same week-by-week approach as Frost.
“I’ve never mentioned it, zero times in four years here,” Dillingham said on Wednesday. “That’s not even like the beginning of our thought process. We want to go play our best game, over and over again.”
For both programs, the payoff goes beyond the bracket. A bowl trip would reward the work put in by coaches and players, reflect the financial investment in the roster and help on the recruiting trail in both high school and the transfer portal.
“It’s very important, but our mentality isn’t just to get bowl-eligible,” said safety Jayden Williams. “Our mentality is to go 3-0 for these last three games.
That’s how we’re going to attack it. We’re just going to have fun.”
Caden Piening echoed that same mindset.
“It’s very important, especially with how last year went. We’re looking to go to a bowl game this year, but our goal each week is to go 1-0.”
In Other News...
Arizona States Orlando Trip Just Got More Complicated At The Worst Time
Arizona States trip to Orlando hit an unexpected snag on Friday when the teams charter plane was delayed by a nationwide FAA ground stop ordered for safety reasons. What should have been a routine travel day suddenly turned into a waiting game, with the delay now threatening to push the Sun Devils departure to around 9 p.m. local time.
For a team trying to stay on schedule ahead of an upcoming game, the timing could hardly be worse. The disruption is not limited to Arizona State, either, as other college football teams are dealing with the same ground stop and its ripple effects could even touch the slate of games on Nov. 14. [Read more 🡒]
UCF Brings A Major Offensive Concern Into Arizona State Game
UCF is heading into its matchup with Arizona State carrying a few notable offensive questions, starting with the absence of running back Duke Watson because of injury. The Knights also listed wide receiver Waden Charles as doubtful and tight end Caden Piening as questionable, which leaves their skill group in a less certain spot than they would prefer against a Sun Devils defense that will be paying close attention.
There is at least some encouraging news on the other side of the ball, with linebacker Lewis Carter probable to return after missing multiple games. Even so, UCF still has several defensive backs sidelined, so the roster picture remains a little uneven as the Knights try to sort through their availability before facing Arizona State. [Read more 🡒]
Arizona State Heads Into A High-Stakes UCF Clash Fans Will Feel
Arizona State heads to Orlando on Saturday for a matchup with Central Florida that carries far more weight than a typical November road trip. It is the first meeting between the programs since 2024 and only the third time they have ever lined up against each other, with both teams entering the game with identical records and bowl eligibility very much in play.
The history between the Sun Devils and Knights is still short, but the stakes this time are easy to understand for both sides. With postseason positioning on the line, this one has the feel of a late-season test that could shape how the rest of the year is remembered, and fans will be able to follow along with the broadcast details as the game approaches. [Read more 🡒]