Texas Christian Horned Frogs vs Central Florida Knights Picks and Predictions September 14th 2024

UCF and TCU will face off on Saturday, September 14th, with kick-off set for 7:30 ET from Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. The game will be broadcast on FOX, and both teams are coming in with a 2-0 record. UCF is the slight -105 favorite on the money line, and the point spread is tight at -1.5 for TCU. The over/under line is currently at 61.5 points for this week three college football matchup.

UCF vs. TCU Key Information

• Teams: Knights at Horned Frogs
• Where: Amon G. Carter Stadium Fort Worth
• Date: Saturday, September 14th
• Betting Odds TCU -117 | UCF -105 O/U 61.5

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The Knights Can Win If…

UCF is off to a strong start this season, moving to 2-0 after a 45-14 win over Sam Houston. The Knights, favored by -21.5 points, not only won but also covered the spread. This was their second straight cover, as they also covered the -10.5 spread in their season opener. The over/under line for this game was 54 points, and the teams combined for 59, hitting the over.

UCF dominated from the start, taking a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. After Sam Houston added a field goal in the second, the Knights extended their lead to 24-7 at halftime. UCF then put the game out of reach by outscoring Sam Houston 14-0 in the third quarter, and the final score was 45-14 after each team scored a touchdown in the fourth.

UCF’s offense was dominant in their 45-14 win, racking up 554 total yards and 29 first downs. The Knights’ ground game was particularly effective, amassing 384 yards and scoring six touchdowns. RJ Harvey led the way with 126 yards on 19 carries, finding the end zone four times. KJ Jefferson contributed 169 passing yards on 12 completions, with a passer rating of 113.61. Kobe Hudson was his top target, hauling in five receptions for 104 yards.

UCF’s defense was dominant in their most recent game, holding Sam Houston to just 14 points and 287 total yards. The Knights’ secondary was particularly effective, coming up with two interceptions and limiting Sam Houston to 219 passing yards on 17 completions. UCF’s run defense was equally impressive, allowing only 68 yards on 29 carries.

• UCF will look to keep things rolling as they have put together a mark of 2-1 over their past three games. Against the spread, the team is 2-1 in these same games while going 2-1 on the over/under.
• The UCF Knights have gone 5-5 over their last ten regular season games. In these contests, the team went just 5-5 against the spread, while going 4-6 on the over-under.

The Horned Frogs Can Win If…

TCU improved to 2-0 after a 45-0 win over LIU. No betting lines were available for this matchup.

The Horned Frogs wasted no time, taking a 10-0 lead in the first quarter and then blowing the game open with 21 points in the second quarter. Heading into halftime, TCU was up 31-0, and they added another touchdown in the third quarter and a field goal in the fourth to finish the game.

Quarterback Josh Hoover led TCU’s offense to a 45-0 win, throwing for 267 yards and two touchdowns while completing 80% of his passes. Savion Williams was his top target, hauling in five receptions for 69 yards.

The Horned Frogs’ offense totaled 441 yards, with 143 yards coming on the ground. Cam Cook led the team in rushing with 58 yards on 13 carries and three of TCU’s four rushing touchdowns.

TCU’s defense was dominant in their most recent game, holding LIU to just 68 passing yards and 81 rushing yards. The Horned Frogs shut out their opponent, allowing only 149 total yards and nine first downs. TCU’s secondary picked off one pass, and the defense as a whole did not allow a single score.

• The TCU Horned Frogs have posted a 2-1 record in their previous three games. This also includes going 2-1 ATS and an over-under mark of 0-2-1.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the TCU Horned Frogs have gone 6-4 straight up. Across these games, their ATS record was just 5-5, while posting an over-under record of 3-6-1.

The Lean

UCF is the slight road underdog in their week three matchup against TCU, with the spread set at +1.5 points in their favor. We’re predicting a 29-26 win for UCF, so take them to cover the spread and win straight-up.

For the over/under, with the line at 61.5 points, our projection of 55 combined points suggests taking the under as the best play.

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TCU Looks to Contain UCF Star RJ Harvey in Big 12 Opener

UCF star running back RJ Harvey leads the Knights into Fort Worth on Saturday night as they take on TCU in a pivotal Big 12 conference opener. Both teams enter the matchup undefeated, making this early season showdown a crucial test for both programs as they kick off their conference schedules.

RJ Harvey Leading UCF’s Offensive Charge

Harvey’s Dominance on the Ground

RJ Harvey has been a powerhouse for UCF (2-0) through the first two games of the season, ranking second in the nation in rushing touchdowns with six and eighth in total rushing yards with 268. Harvey’s explosive performance has helped UCF rise to the top of the Big 12 in scoring, averaging an impressive 51 points per game.

This matchup against TCU will mark the first-ever meeting between the two programs and the first time TCU has played a team from Florida since 1992. UCF head coach Gus Malzahn is well aware of the challenge the Horned Frogs present, especially with their balanced offensive and defensive approach.

“Overall, this is a good challenge for our team,” Malzahn said. “I’m really impressed with their quarterback, he can really throw it, but he can also make plays with his feet.”

UCF’s High-Powered Offense

UCF’s offense, led by Harvey, has been nothing short of electric. The Knights have shown versatility in both the run and pass game, and their ability to score at will makes them a dangerous opponent. With Harvey leading the charge on the ground, the Knights are poised to test TCU’s defense in ways they haven’t seen yet this season.

TCU’s Strong Start and Defensive Focus

TCU’s Defensive Standout Performance

TCU (2-0) comes into the game riding high after a dominant 45-0 shutout win over LIU, marking their first shutout since 2017. Quarterback Josh Hoover has commanded the offense efficiently, throwing for 620 yards and four touchdowns so far this season. On the ground, running back Cam Cook has provided balance with 139 rushing yards through the first two games.

Head coach Sonny Dykes commended his team’s defensive efforts after the shutout win. “It’s really difficult to get a shutout in college football,” Dykes said. “I thought our guys played clean and well in the first half.”

Key Defensive Players to Watch

Linebacker Johnny Hodges has been a force for the Horned Frogs, leading the defense with 16 tackles through two games. Defensive end Namdi Obiazor has also made his presence felt, recording 1.5 sacks and four tackles for loss. The Horned Frogs will have their hands full with Harvey, but if their defense can play as cleanly as they did last week, they’ll have a chance to contain UCF’s star running back.

After making your picks, it's key to understand how odds impact your winnings. Check out our NCAAF Odds page for more details.

Early Test for Both Teams in the Big 12

A Crucial Conference Opener

This game marks a critical early-season test for both programs. UCF, in particular, is eager to prove they can compete in the Big 12 after struggling on the road in conference play last season with a 1-4 record. The Knights know that a win in their first road conference game of the season could make a major statement.

“This is a big test for us,” Malzahn said. “We’re looking forward to seeing where we’re at on the road for the first conference game. We’ll see what happens at the end with how everything unfolds conference-wise, but I think this is one of the more talented teams in our conference.”

TCU, meanwhile, is aiming to build on their strong start to the season and continue their defensive dominance. With both teams unbeaten, the stakes are high for this early Big 12 clash.

Key Players to Watch

UCF’s RJ Harvey and KJ Jefferson

RJ Harvey will be the focal point for UCF’s offense, but the Knights also have another weapon in quarterback KJ Jefferson. A former starter at Arkansas, Jefferson has thrown for 333 yards and two touchdowns this season. His ability to make plays through the air and on the ground adds another layer to UCF’s offense.

TCU’s Josh Hoover and Cam Cook

On the TCU side, quarterback Josh Hoover has been steady, and he will need to continue his strong play to keep pace with UCF’s high-powered offense. Running back Cam Cook adds balance to the Horned Frogs’ attack, and the duo will be instrumental in keeping the Knights’ defense on their toes.