Central Florida Knights Favored in Anticipated Matchup Against Colorado Buffaloes

ORLANDO, Fla. — In a much-anticipated college football showdown, the Central Florida Knights are set to host the Colorado Buffaloes at FBC Mortgage Stadium on Saturday. The game has drawn attention not only because of the sporting spectacle but also due to Colorado’s underdog status and the presence of numerous “Florida boys” on their roster.

Colorado, led by second-year head coach Deion Sanders, arrived in Orlando a day earlier than planned to avoid inclement weather, which included a rain cloud burst over the field, chasing away even notable visitors like Cam Newton, the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner.

The UCF Knights, boasting the nation’s leading rushing offense with 375.7 yards per game, are favorites to win the matchup. The Knights have not scored fewer than 35 points in a game this season under their head coach, Guz Malzahn.

Colorado, coming off a dramatic overtime victory against Baylor, is led by quarterback Shedeur Sanders and two-way star Travis Hunter. Coach Deion Sanders, a Florida native, has made recruiting players from his home state a priority, and his roster includes 18 players from Florida.

The game kick-off was delayed until 4:20 p.m. ET due to lightning concerns, pushing back the original start time set for 3:30 p.m. ET.

On the field, UCF drew first blood in the second quarter with their quarterback KJ Jefferson’s seven-yard touchdown run. The drive, consisting of eight plays totaling 68 yards, narrowed Colorado’s lead to 21-14 with 8:41 left in the half.

For Colorado, running back Dallan Hayden, a transfer from Ohio State, made a significant impact, extending the Buffaloes’ lead earlier with a 14-yard touchdown run. After overcoming initial struggles, quarterback Shedeur Sanders is developing rhythm, tossing several touchdown passes, including a notable 23-yard connection with Travis Hunter.

Before the first quarter concluded, UCF immediately responded to a Colorado touchdown with a pass from KJ Jefferson to RJ Harvey, resulting in a rapid 75-yard touchdown play that tied the game 7-7.

As of the latest updates, Colorado’s offense shows significant improvement, especially in the rushing department, which previously lacked impact in the season.

Central Florida remains the strong favorite, with ESPN‘s Matchup Predictor giving them an 82% chance of victory against Colorado. Analysts and oddsmakers suggest UCF’s strong running game could control the game’s tempo and limit opportunities for Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders to maneuver. However, Colorado’s recent improvements offer hope for a competitive clash.