Baylor Football

Game Thread: Bears Look to Bounce Back against UCF in Orlando

Baylor football faces off against UCF.
By SicEm365 Staff
October 29, 2026
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SICEM365 GAME THREAD

Baylor at UCF

Joe Klanderman’s Interim Debut • Space Game
Friday, October 30, 2026 • 6:30 p.m. CT • ESPN
Acrisure Bounce House • Orlando, FL
Records Baylor 4-3 (2-2 Big 12) | UCF 4-3 (2-2 Big 12)
Coaches Joe Klanderman (interim) vs. Scott Frost
Kickoff 6:30 p.m. CT / 7:30 p.m. ET
TV ESPN — Mike Monaco, Jordan Rodgers, Dana Boyle
Radio John Morris, Geff Gandy, Bryson Jackson • KRZI 1660 AM / 92.3 FM
Stream ESPN / ESPN app • BaylorBears.com radio
Series Baylor leads 2-1
Last meeting Baylor 30, UCF 3 (Waco, Nov. 1, 2025)
Last in Orlando Baylor 36, UCF 35 (2023 comeback from 35-7)
Last game Kansas 25, Baylor 24 (Oct. 24)
Line UCF -1.5 • O/U 48.5 • as of Oct. 29

Why This Game Matters

  • Joe Klanderman’s first game as interim head coach after Dave Aranda was fired Sunday following the Kansas loss
  • UCF’s annual Space Game, coming off a 39-31 double-OT upset of then-No. 2 BYU
  • Both teams are 4-3, 2-2 in the Big 12. Critical for bowl positioning and momentum
  • Baylor has won the last two meetings (36-35 in Orlando in 2023, 30-3 in Waco in 2025)
  • Klanderman will continue calling the defense, which has been the team’s strength

Series History

  • Baylor leads 2-1 all-time
  • 2014 Fiesta Bowl: UCF 52, Baylor 42
  • 2023 in Orlando: Baylor 36, UCF 35 (rallied from 35-7)
  • 2025 in Waco: Baylor 30, UCF 3
  • UCF this year: W vs. Bethune-Cookman, L at Pitt, W vs. Georgia State, W vs. TCU, L at Houston, L at Oklahoma State, bye, W 39-31 (2OT) vs. No. 2 BYU

Keys for Baylor

  1. Respond to the change. Players have talked about Klanderman’s energy. First game without Aranda has to show it on the field.
  2. Contain Keyone Jenkins. He accounted for four touchdowns (293 pass yards, 3 TD; 35 rush yards, 1 TD) against BYU.
  3. Find any run game. The ground game has been the clear weakness. UCF is not an elite defensive team, but run defense is their strength.
  4. Keep the defense rolling. Klanderman stays on the headset. The unit has been near the top of the Big 12 in sacks, TFLs, and turnovers.
  5. Avoid the letdown on the other side. UCF just beat a top-2 team at home. Bounce House will be loud for the Space Game.

Players to Watch

Baylor: QB DJ Lagway • RB Dawson Pendergrass • WR Gavin Freeman, Jayden McGowan • LB Travion Barnes • TE Matthew Klopfenstein • Interim HC / DC Joe Klanderman

UCF: QB Keyone Jenkins • RB Duke Watson • WR Josh Derry, Tyren Hornes • HC Scott Frost • Space Game uniforms (Mercury/Gemini/Apollo theme)

SicEm365 UCF week reading

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Game Thread Baylor-UCF Baylor at UCF Football Baylor Central Florida 2026
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Discussion from...

Game Thread: Bears Look to Bounce Back against UCF in Orlando

38,008 Views | 548 Replies | Last: 37 min ago by boognish_bear
canoso
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3:22p, 10/29/26
Every time "bounce back" appears in a Baylor athletics headline, images of bounce back punching toys float through my mind. Gets so incredibly old.
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Delmar 2.0
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3:45p, 10/29/26
Just win Bears!
I ain't quite as dumb as I seem
-- (P.C. 1974)
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Dia del DougO
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4:56p, 10/29/26
Klandermania officially begins tomorrow night!
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool."
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AC/DC
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5:35p, 10/29/26
Ain't got nuthin'. Wait and see.
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boognish_bear
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7:21p, 10/29/26
Sicem Bears
Sicem Klandy
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Bear51
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7:39p, 10/29/26
Looking forward to this with great anticipation after hearing Klanderman talk and hoping for the best!!
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Timbear
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8:15p, 10/29/26
Sports wise, I have my life back. I survived Dave Aranda. 7 seasons of that guy.
He was the only HC that the sideline reporters tried to get away from instead of vice versa.
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Timbear
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8:26p, 10/29/26
It'll be interesting and revealing if Spav's O looks more creative and dynamic after Klan's comment about cutting Spav loose, implying that Dave was having a negative influence on the O.
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ImABearToo
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8:29p, 10/29/26
"Turn me loose I'll never be the same!" Let's see. Sic Florida commuter.
“Life is short, eat desert first!”
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Space Cutter
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10:38a, 10/30/26
It's Baylor game day and I feel relieved to know Amanda will NOT be standing on our sidelines looking lost in his thoughts. Let's go Bears and win!

SicEm Bears
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Dia del DougO
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11:52a, 10/30/26
A confluence of motivational factors on both sides tonight make this a really compelling matchup.

Probably a good time for ESPN to be airing this game on a Friday night with little competition.
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool."
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Timbear
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12:55p, 10/30/26
I predict that the Bear Klan will come out more fired up and ready to play than in any game since 2021 when Ron Roberts was kicking butt in spite of the soft and confused Frowning Man.
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bear2be2
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In reply to Dia del DougO • 4:14p, 10/30/26
Dia del DougO said:
A confluence of motivational factors on both sides tonight make this a really compelling matchup.

Probably a good time for ESPN to be airing this game on a Friday night with little competition.

I thought it was crazy the spread flipped midweek and we went from 1.5-point underdogs (seemed low to me) to 1.5-point favorites.

The sharps in Vegas sure seem to think we're going to show up -- or UCF's not. I hope they're right either way.
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Timbear
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6:13p, 10/30/26
The Baylor football team is about to get the best pregame speech from a Head Coach since Rhule at the Sugar Bowl on January 1, 2020.
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IowaBear
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6:29p, 10/30/26
Today's the wife and i's 5 lth wedding anniversary. Maybe that'll bring the Bears some luck! Feels like a must win if Bowl eligibility is the goal
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Dia del DougO
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6:36p, 10/30/26
OK, Baylor receives, moving right to left on your radio dial.
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool."
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historian
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6:38p, 10/30/26
ESPN must not like Lagway. In that short highlight reel focusing on his arm strength they showed two interceptions. I bet they would never go that for any SEC QB.
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historian
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In reply to IowaBear • 6:38p, 10/30/26
Happy Anniversary!
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BUGWBBear
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In reply to historian • 6:38p, 10/30/26
historian said:
ESPN must not like Lagway. In that short highlight reel focusing on his arm strength they showed two interceptions. I bet they would never go that for any SEC QB.


ESBEGHEY despises Baylor period
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Big12Fan2024
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6:39p, 10/30/26
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PlanoTXBear
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6:40p, 10/30/26
it's incredibly hard to watch lagway play quarterback. guy just doesn't have it.
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BUGWBBear
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6:40p, 10/30/26
He had a wide open man at the bottom of the screen but he's not the primary receiver so CJ ignores him
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CorsicanaBear
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6:41p, 10/30/26
And Lagway still looks like a crappy waste of money.
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BU77
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6:43p, 10/30/26
Good stop D.
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Big12Fan2024
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6:44p, 10/30/26
The Klandyman has the D ready to go as usual. Good series D!
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ImABearToo
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6:50p, 10/30/26
QB run again and the 2.5mm Man cones up short.
“Life is short, eat desert first!”
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IowaBear
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6:50p, 10/30/26
4th inches…. Let's goooooo shotgun. This program and staff are just fuvking ******ed
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BUGWBBear
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6:50p, 10/30/26
Welp…Sleepy Joe don't take no points
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Dia del DougO
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6:50p, 10/30/26
Very sloppy execution on offense. Legway's delayed rush up the middle seemed odd.
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool."
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Blackout Sniper
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6:50p, 10/30/26
OL got no push.
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BearFan33
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6:50p, 10/30/26
Why go shotgun at 4th and one ?

Dumb
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Big12Fan2024
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6:51p, 10/30/26
Please kick Spav to the curb.

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whitetrash
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6:51p, 10/30/26
Plus ca change, plus c'est la meme chose.
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LK4BU87
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6:51p, 10/30/26
Another Arandalotics failure. Kick the damn field goal! Take the points. Ugh
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Dia del DougO
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In reply to IowaBear • 6:51p, 10/30/26
IowaBear said:
4th inches…. Let's goooooo shotgun. This program and staff are just fuvking ******ed

I was thinking wildcat at first, then disappointed DJ was taking the snap.
"The only true currency in this bankrupt world is what you share with someone else when you're uncool."
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