UCF vs Sam Houston Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines

Both teams couldn’t have been better in their respective Week 1 games ... to a point.

UCF destroyed New Hampshire 57-3, but QB KJ Jefferson was a tad bit off. Sam Houston was amazing in a stunning 34-14 win over Rice, but … but nothing. It was fantastic.

The Bearkats get Hawaii next, and the Knights start the Big 12 season at TCU.

UCF vs Sam Houston Preview

UCF vs Sam Houston How to Watch
Date: Saturday, September 7, 2024
Game Time: 6:30 pm ET
Venue: FBC Mortgage Stadium, Orlando, FL
How to Watch: ESPN+
UCF (1-0), Sam Houston (1-0)
- Week 2 Schedule, Predictions
Bowl Projections | CFN Rankings
5 Underrated | 5 Overrated
5 Top Week 1 Takeaways
Heisman Race & Top 10 Players

Why Sam Houston Will Win

Again, it couldn’t have gone better.

Sam Houston got up 17-0 in the first quarter on Rice, the defense was brilliant throughout, and it all worked out in what was easily the teams sharpest performance since moving up to the FBS world last year.

UCF won’t care too much about the time of possession battle, and the Bearkats will be more than happy to have the ball for close to 35 minutes. Control the clock, win third downs, and hope Jefferson’s passing is a bit off for a second straight game.

Why UCF Will Win

The speed and pace of the UCF offense might be overwhelming.

Sam Houston’s defense was all over the Rice running game, but UCF is a different animal.

All of the backs ripped off yards in chunks last week, Toledo transfer Peny Boone was wonderful, RJ Harvey averaged 13 yards per carry, and the offense should impose its will on the Sam Houston defensive front.

UCF vs Sam Houston: Who Will Win

Sam Houston will get its licks in.

The running game won’t do much, but Hunter Watson and the passing game will be efficient and the run defense will win its share of battles. However, it won’t win enough of them.

The UCF offensive power and speed will take over in the second half and pull away, but it’ll take a little bit.

UCF vs Sam Houston Prediction, Betting Lines

UCF 38, Sam Houston 17
Line: UCF -21.5, o/u: 56.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
UCF vs Sam Houston Must See Rating: 2.5

CFN Expert Picks, Week 2
BYU at SMU | Duke at NW
Texas at Mich | Iowa St at Iowa
S Carolina at UK | Mich St at MD
USF at Bama | Kansas at Illinois
WMU at Ohio St | Tenn at NC St
Colorado at Neb | Houston at OU
Boise St at Oregon | TTech at Wash St
Miss St at ASU | Utah State at USC