West Virginia vs UCF Predictions

West Virginia heads to Orlando to take on UCF, as both teams are in need of a win.

Our staff gives their predictions on the game.

Ashley O’Brien: The Mountaineers are facing another new Big 12 team in UCF this week. The Knights are playing really good football despite what their record says and seem to be the more spirited team heading into Saturday. I think this defense for West Virginia must step up if the Mountaineers are going to want to really have a chance. They’ve been close the last two weeks but I think they go down and shine in the Sunshine State.

West Virginia 37, UCF 31

Wesley Shoemaker: West Virginia is in a tough spot as they head to face UCF. The Knights are a two-point conversion away from heading to overtime against Oklahoma, while the Mountaineers fell apart in the fourth quarter last week against Oklahoma State. The issue against the Cowboys was WVU’s run defense. Unfortunately, UCF’s run offense is fifth-best in the country. I think there will be a high level of emotions from a lot of guys on the WVU offense, specifically Garrett Greene and CJ Donaldson who return to their home state. I really want to pick the Mountaineers but this seems like a really tough spot for a struggling football team.

UCF 30, West Virginia 24

Patrick Reneau: The Mountaineers have a tough task ahead of them this weekend in Orlando. The offense has looked good for the Mountaineers recently but the defense has not looked anything like the same defense the mountaineers had in their 4 wins. I think that trend continues throughout this weekend with the mountaineers playing in yet another shootout game, but coming out on the right side this time.

West Virginia 34, UCF 31

Aaron Parker: With a now two-game losing streak on their hands, West Virginia will be tasked with winning on the road in the so-called “Bounce House.” UCF has struggled as of late, losing their last four games, but they took a massive step forward last week, only losing at No. 6 Oklahoma by two points. I think the Knights build off that and come ready to play. With quarterback John Rhys Plumlee back after an injury, I see the Knights coming out ready to play. WVU has been notorious for “no-showing” on the road from time to time in the last few seasons, although that hasn’t necessarily happened this season. I can see it happening on Saturday with a noon kick in 80-degree weather.

UCF 31, West Virginia 17

Ryan Roddy: The Mountaineers continue to struggle, while UCF is coming off its most impressive showing of the season in a battle till the end against unbeaten and No. 6 Oklahoma. As much as I want to predict WVU to win, I just can’t. If shifty UCF back RJ Harvey gets started, a Mountaineer defense that has struggled against the run recently might have trouble stopping him. Garret Greene and a late stand by the defense keep it close but to no avail.

UCF 35, West Virginia 30

Mark Wratchford: I certainly feel that this matchup at UCF could really go either way. UCF is favored by seven and rightfully so after the way the Mountaineers have skidded in recent weeks. The PFF data shows that UCF has graded out higher than West Virginia in nearly every facet of the game. One thing I have noticed throughout this season is that Garrett Greene is going to go out there and play his heart out every week. That should keep West Virginia in every game going forward. But the defense needs to rediscover its identity from earlier in the season to secure the win. I think the defense will do just enough to do that.

West Virginia 38, UCF 27

Bryce Cohen: West Virginia hits the road to face UCF in Orlando, Florida. West Virginia has never lost to UCF and the last time they played was 2004. The Mountaineers are on a two-game losing streak, partly due to the fact that they’ve given up a combined 89 points in those losses. If West Virginia wins, it will be in shootout fashion. UCF is a week removed from losing 29-31 to No. 6 Oklahoma in Norman. If the same team that flirted with giving Oklahoma its first loss of the season shows up against the Mountaineers, it could be a long afternoon in Orlando. I think the Mountaineers will handle business on the road but it won’t be in a convincing way. Expect this game to be close heading into the fourth quarter. Nonetheless, the Mountaineers escape with their fifth win of the season. 

West Virginia 34, UCF 31

Korey Moore: The Mountaineers come into Orlando this weekend with almost no momentum. UCF, however, seems to have absolutely no momentum. After a close loss to Oklahoma last week, it simply does not feel like UCF is a team that will make it over the hump to win this next game at home. They have a lot of expectations after last week but still no sign of a fully able John Rhys Plumlee. He is healthy, but he does not seem to be at the form that can elevate the offense to a much higher level than it has been thus far. On West Virginia’s side, they will be completely missing offensive pieces and slowly returning others due to injury and suspension. If Garrett Greene is still in tact, though, so is West Virginia’s offense. The team’s typical defensive scheme is not perfect, but it does seem capable enough to hold off this UCF team, so I expect a win in Orlando.

West Virginia 30, UCF 23