The UCF Knights and Houston Cougars meet Saturday in week 5 college football action at TDECU Stadium. Here’s a Houston vs. UCF Prediction. This article will include a Houston vs. UCF Pick.
UCF Knights Betting Preview
The UCF Knights beat Georgia State and TCU, and they play OK State next. UCF has won 4 of its last 6 games. Alonza Barnett III is completing 63.3 percent of his passes for 344 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Josh Derry and Waden Charles have combined for 220 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while Ric’Darious Farmer has 8 receptions.
The UCF Knights’ ground game is averaging 197.5 yards per contest, and Duke Watson leads the way with 354 yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, UCF is allowing 15.3 points and 331 yards per game. Tackett Curtis leads the UCF Knights with 28 tackles, Isaiah Nixon has 2.5 sacks, and Demari Henderson has 2 interceptions.
Houston Cougars Betting Preview
The Houston Cougars beat Colorado and Oregon State, and they play Oklahoma State next. The Houston Cougars have won 13 of their last 17 games. Conner Weigman is completing 71.6 percent of his passes for 947 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Amare Thomas and Patrick Overmyer have combined for 528 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns, while Koby Young has 7 receptions.
The Houston Cougars’ ground game is averaging 248.3 yards per contest, and Makhi Hughes leads the way with 282 yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Houston is allowing 20.5 points and 325.8 yards per game. Jaden Yates leads the Houston Cougars with 28 tackles, Javion White has 2.5 sacks, and Will James has 1 interception.
Why the Houston Cougars will win
- UCF has lost each of its last 10 road games.
- Houston has won each of its last 12 October games as a favorite.
- UCF has failed to cover the spread in six of its last seven road games against conference opponents.
- Houston has covered the spread in four of its last five games in Texas.
- UCF has lost the first half in each of its last eight road games.
- Houston has won the first quarter in each of its last four games.
Why the UCF Knights will win
- UCF has won three of its last four games.
- Houston has lost three of its last four home games against conference opponents.
- The underdog has covered the spread in four of the last five games between UCF and Houston.
- Houston has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games as an AP-ranked team against a non-AP-ranked team.
- The road team has won the first quarter in four of the last five games between UCF and Houston.
- UCF has won the first half in four of its last five games against Houston.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Houston’s last nine games as a favorite have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of UCF’s last four games against AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
Houston Cougars Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 5, Conner Weigman ranks T3rd in the league for TD: INT ratio (11.00) this season.
UCF Knights Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 5, Duke Watson ranks 8th amongst qualified players for Yards Per Carry (8.9) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Houston ranks T1st among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage this season (100.0).
- Houston ranks 1st among FBS teams for 3rd down conversion percentage this season (71.1).
- UCF ranks T5th among FBS teams for interceptions this season (6).
- UCF ranks 7th among FBS teams for H2 opponent points per game this season (3.8).
Houston vs UCF Prediction
Houston is the more complete team and should be favored, but this line is disrespectful. UCF is an athletic team that can hang around despite stepping up in competition. UCF runs the ball well and can defend at a decent level. Defense and being able to run the ball is how you compete on the road. UCF just upset TCU and nearly beat Pittsburgh outright as a 7.5-point underdog. It may be ugly at times with UCF, but we don’t see the Knights get blown out often. There’s talent in this program. I’ll grab the points.