ORLANDO – The SicEm365 staff offers predictions for Baylor’s (4-3, 2-2) matchup against UCF (4-3, 2-2). Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CDT on Friday, Oct. 30, at Acrisure Bounce House. ESPN will televise the game.
- Spread: Baylor (-1.5)
- O/U: 48.5
- Moneyline: Baylor (-118), UCF (-102)
- ESPN Matchup Predictor: UCF (51%)
Colt Barber (4-3) — UCF 21, Baylor 14
I really don’t know how to feel about this Baylor team in general, but I fully expect the defense to play with a massive sense of urgency under Joe Klanderman. This game will be won on that side of the ball, if it’s going to be won. Unfortunately, I’m not seeing it.
Ashley Hodge (4-3) — UCF 21, Baylor 17
UCF coming off a big emotional win. Baylor coming off a brutal road loss to Kansas. Is this a bounce-back game for the Bears? I think they play inspired, but how can you trust this offensive line?
Grayson Grundhoefer (4-3) — Baylor 21, UCF 20
A rule in college football this year is to bet against the team that just won a massive game in that program's history. UCF just upset No. 2 BYU in a double-overtime thriller, which will take a toll on that team. Baylor will be refreshed this week and won't have to worry about trying to save Dave Aranda’s job. They can just go out and play free. I think Klanderman gets enough out of this team to be really good on defense while still getting enough on offense.
Levi Caraway (4-3) — Baylor 20, UCF 18
Baylor has an interim head coach. UCF is coming off a huge upset win. Both programs are dealing with a short week, and weird things happen in Friday night games. I can't even pretend to know what’s going to happen in Orlando. Hopefully, with Klanderman at the helm, the Bears play with renewed energy and confidence on both sides of the ball.
Jack Mackenzie (4-3) — UCF 20, Baylor 16
After UCF put up 24 points against a very good BYU defense in regulation, I knew what my pick here would be. Baylor’s offense has given me no reason to think it can handle UCF’s front seven, and we saw the problems that caused against TCU at home. Now they are on the road for UCF’s “Space Game,” and while I think the defense will play well, I doubt the offense will score enough to capitalize. No “new coach bounce” for the Bears in the Bounce House.
Sam Bradshaw (4-3) — UCF 24, Baylor 20
Baylor fans got excited this week with a new coaching hire on the horizon. UCF got excited off of the biggest home win in years. These two meet on a short week. I assume BU will be more focused, but in a battle of two good defenses, I think UCF’s red-zone efficiency and Baylor’s offensive inconsistency tip the scales their way.
