UCF vs Iowa State Picks and Prediction – 10/19/2024

The UCF Knights visit Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa on Saturday to play the No. 11 ranked Iowa State Cyclones. UCF dropped to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in Big 12 play following its 19-13 loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday. UCF gained 397 yards of total offense and allowed 338 yards. The Knights committed two costly turnovers in the loss to Cincinnati. Keep up to date with all the college football action, with our expert college football picks.

UCF quarterback KJ Jefferson has thrown for 1,012 yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions. Jefferson has been sacked 13 times. RJ Harvey has 600 yards rushing with an average of 6.6 yards per carry to lead UCF in each category. Kobe Hudson has caught 16 passes for 363 yards with an average of 22.7 yards per reception. Hudson has two touchdown receptions. UCF’s defense has made three quarterbacks and intercepted five passes.

The Iowa State Cyclones improved to 6-0 overall and a Big 12 co-leading 3-0 following a 28-16 victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers on Saturday. Iowa State gained 394 yards of total offense and allowed 354 yards of offense to West Virginia but the Cyclones forced two turnovers by the Mountaineers. Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht passed for 265 yards with one touchdown. 

Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht has passed for 1,438 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. Becht has been sacked only twice this season. Jaylon Jackson is the leading rusher with 314 yards and two touchdowns, while the leading receiver is Jaylin Noel with 528 yards and three touchdown receptions. The Iowa State defense has made 11 quarterback sacks and intercepted 10 passes. 

Iowa State will be too much on both sides of the line of scrimmage for UCF to keep pace. Iowa State has covered the number in each of its last five and is 6-0 straight up this season. The Cyclones are 4-1 ATS over the last five versus an opponent from the Big 12. Iowa State's defense is one of the best in the country, allowing just 11 points per game which is sixth, and will shut down the Knights on Saturday. Final Score Prediction, Iowa State Cyclones win and cover ATS 35-14.