UCF’s 2026 Football Schedule: Revenge Games, Big 12 Battles, and a Season Full of Opportunity
The 2026 UCF football schedule is officially here, and it’s a slate that’s as intriguing as it is challenging. With seven home games - five of them against Big 12 opponents - and a mix of revenge games, marquee matchups, and new-look rivals, the Knights have a chance to make serious noise in their third season as Big 12 members.
Let’s break down the road ahead for the Knights, game by game.
**Game 1: vs. Bethune-Cookman (Sept.
3)**
The Knights open the season at home against Bethune-Cookman - a familiar in-state opponent with a familiar face under center.
Former UCF quarterback Timmy McClain led the Wildcats to a 6-6 record last season, including a solid 5-3 mark in conference play. This game should serve as a tune-up for UCF, but don’t overlook the emotional edge McClain might bring when returning to FBC Mortgage Stadium.
Game 2: at Pittsburgh (Sept. 12)
Week 2 sends UCF on the road to face a Pitt team that’s coming off an 8-5 season and a strong 6-2 finish in the ACC. The Panthers found their quarterback of the future in Mason Heintschel, who burst onto the scene as a true freshman, throwing for over 2,300 yards and 16 touchdowns.
This early-season test could be a measuring stick for the Knights, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
**Game 3: vs. Georgia State (Sept.
19)**
Back home in Week 3, UCF hosts Georgia State - a program that struggled mightily last season, finishing 1-11 and winless in conference play.
On paper, this one leans heavily in UCF’s favor, but the Knights will need to stay focused and avoid looking ahead to the start of Big 12 play.
**Game 4: vs. TCU (Sept.
26)**
Conference play kicks off with TCU coming to town.
The Knights took the only meeting between these two since joining the Big 12, and they’ll look to keep that trend going against a Horned Frogs squad breaking in a new quarterback. With Josh Hoover now at Indiana, TCU’s offense will have a different look, and UCF will aim to capitalize early in the Big 12 race.
Game 5: at Houston (Oct. 3)
This one’s personal. Houston snapped UCF’s undefeated streak in the Space Game last season - a game that had become a signature moment on the Knights’ calendar.
Now, UCF gets a shot at payback in the Cougars’ house. Expect this one to be charged with emotion, and don’t be surprised if it turns into a shootout.
Game 6: at Oklahoma State (Oct. 10)
Still on the road, the Knights head to Stillwater to face an Oklahoma State team they’ve beaten twice in as many tries. But this isn’t the same Cowboys squad.
With a new coaching staff and a new quarterback in Drew Mestemaker - who led the nation in passing yards (4,379) as a freshman at North Texas - Oklahoma State could be a sleeper in the Big 12 this year. This might be one of UCF’s toughest matchups of the season.
**Game 7: vs. BYU (Oct.
24)**
After a bye week, UCF returns home to host BYU - the team that ended the Knights’ 2025 season and bowl hopes.
The Cougars finished last year ranked No. 12 and were powered by a breakout freshman quarterback in Bear Bachmeier, who threw for over 3,000 yards and accounted for 26 total touchdowns. UCF will be looking for redemption and a statement win here.
**Game 8: vs. Baylor (Oct.
31)**
Halloween brings Baylor to town, and the Knights will be hoping to exorcise some demons.
The Bears have taken two of the three meetings since UCF joined the Big 12, including a dominant 30-3 win last season. With former 5-star recruit DJ Lagway - a Florida transfer - now under center for Baylor, the Bears could be even more dangerous this time around.
Game 9: at Kansas (Nov. 7)
UCF is still chasing its first win against Kansas as a Big 12 member. The Knights have dropped both previous matchups, including one in Lawrence.
Kansas finished 5-7 last season, and while they’ve been inconsistent, this is a game UCF can’t afford to overlook if they want to stay in the Big 12 mix.
**Game 10: vs. Arizona State (Nov.
14)**
The Sun Devils come to Orlando in mid-November, and UCF will be looking to flip the script against a team they’ve never beaten.
Arizona State has been a force in the Big 12 in recent years, but they’ll be without quarterback Sam Leavitt, who transferred to LSU to play under Lane Kiffin. Even without Leavitt, ASU remains a tough out, and this could be a candidate for the annual Space Game - though UCF is still waiting on final scheduling decisions from the conference and TV partners.
**Game 11: vs. Iowa State (Nov.
21)**
Senior Day brings Iowa State to town, and this version of the Cyclones could look very different.
Longtime head coach Matt Campbell left for Penn State, and several key players followed him. That leaves a lot of question marks around what kind of team Iowa State will be by late November.
For UCF, this could be a key game in the postseason picture.
Game 12: at Colorado (Nov. 28)
The regular season wraps up in Boulder against Coach Prime and the Colorado Buffaloes. The last time these two teams met, it was a marquee matchup in Orlando that turned into a showcase for Travis Hunter and Shedeur Sanders - both now in the NFL.
That game added fuel to Hunter’s Heisman campaign and left a bitter taste for UCF fans. Now, the Knights get a chance to return the favor in one of the most scenic (and potentially snowy) settings in college football.
Final Thoughts
From revenge games and rising stars to tough road trips and high-stakes conference battles, UCF’s 2026 schedule is packed with storylines. The Knights have the talent to compete, but they’ll need consistency, health, and a little bit of that Bounce House magic to navigate the grind of Big 12 play.
Circle the Space Game. Keep an eye on those road trips. And don’t be surprised if this UCF team makes some serious noise down the stretch.