The latest AP Top 25 poll brought a fresh reminder that UCF’s 2026 schedule is loaded with teams making noise right now. One former Knights opponent climbed into the rankings, another is dealing with a season-ending injury at quarterback, and a third turned in a road blowout that sent a clear message before its trip to Orlando later this fall.
The biggest result of the group came in Fort Worth, where BYU slipped past TCU, 17-10. The Horned Frogs were coming off their loss to UCF last weekend and stayed within striking distance throughout, never falling more than 10 points behind. But the Cougars did enough to leave with the win, and they did it while leaning hard on the run game.
BYU had to adjust after running back LJ Martin was injured early, exiting after just two carries and a reception. Even so, the Cougars still controlled the ground game, finishing with a 154-72 edge in rushing yards.
Quarterback Bear Bachmeier took on the workload as the primary runner, carrying 15 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns. Through the air, though, he had a quieter night, completing 11 of 24 passes for 62 yards.
TCU quarterback Jaden Craig threw for 187 yards, more than Bachmeier, but that only produced one touchdown and came with an interception. The Horned Frogs also struggled to keep drives alive, converting just four of 13 third downs while BYU went 8 of 16.
The Cougars, now No. 8 in the AP Top 25, are set to visit the Acrisure Bounce House on Oct. 24.
Pittsburgh also took a step forward in the rankings, but the Panthers’ 35-33 win over Virginia Tech came with a brutal price. Starting quarterback Mason Heintschel left the game injured after going 10-of-18 for 113 yards and a touchdown. On Saturday, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported he had torn his ACL and would miss the rest of the season.
Even with Heintschel sidelined, Pittsburgh found enough offense to hold off the Hokies. Backup Holden Geriner added 78 passing yards and a touchdown, while the Panthers’ ground game found the end zone three times with three different players. The defense did its part too, continuing to be a major strength by limiting Virginia Tech to just 65 net rushing yards.
Virginia Tech eventually turned to the pass, and Ethan Grunkemeyer piled up 434 yards and three touchdowns on 30 completions in 41 attempts. But he also threw two interceptions and lost a fumble, and Pittsburgh forced four turnovers overall.
The Panthers’ body of work, including a 14-7 win over UCF, pushed them into the AP Top 25 at No. 25.
Then there was Baylor, which delivered the most lopsided result of the three. The Bears went into Arizona State and rolled to a 55-19 win in a matchup between two teams UCF will see later this season. Both quarterbacks put up big passing numbers - Baylor’s DJ Lagway and Arizona State’s Cutter Boley each threw for more than 300 yards - but Baylor’s defense controlled the game where it mattered most.
The Bears held Arizona State to 99 rushing yards and now rank 22nd in the nation against the run. On offense, Baylor piled up 244 rushing yards and scored three rushing touchdowns, spread across four different running backs plus Lagway. The defense also kept feeding the offense with five takeaways, including two on downs, two fumble recoveries and an interception.
Baylor is scheduled to come to Orlando on Oct. 30, while Arizona State will make its visit on Nov. 14.
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Harveys impact has carried into high-leverage moments, too, including a late drive that put Denver in position to finish off the Kansas City Chiefs. Payton and Bo Nix have both pointed to his elusiveness and football IQ as reasons he keeps earning more responsibility, and the Broncos now have to decide how much more they can load onto his plate. For UCF fans, it is the kind of pro breakout that feels familiar and a little dangerous for opposing defenses. [Read more 🡒]