Predicted, Game Preview, and Betting Lines for UCF vs. Arizona State

Arizona State is still one of the most interesting stories of the 2024 season.

After going 3–9 the previous year, the Sun Devils became a major player in the Big 12 by beating Utah and Oklahoma State. If they win out, they could make it to the conference championship game.

It will not be easy—at Kansas State, BYU, and Arizona—but the team is already in a bowl position. It is real money from the house.

UCF ended a terrible five-game winning streak by beating Arizona 56–12. Now it needs to get back on track because it needs to win two of its last three games to be eligible for the bowl season. At the end, it talks about West Virginia and Utah.

UCF vs Arizona State: How to Watch and Game Preview

Date: Saturday, November 9, 2024
Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
How to Watch: ESPN2
Venue: Mountain America Stadium, Tempe, AZ
Teams: Arizona State (6-2), UCF (4-5)

Why UCF Will Win

Phoenix State will not have its star player. Cam Skattebo, a heavy running back, is out, and the UCF run defense could use some help.

The Knights are good at stopping the run, giving up only 3.6 yards per carry, but they need to be even better. In the four wins, they gave up 67 yards or less. In the five losses, they gave up 97 yards or more.

That will be hard to do even without Skattebo, so the UCF ground game needs to win.

The Army is ahead of the ground attack in the country. The team is 4-1 when they run for 200 yards, but…

Why Arizona State Will Win

So here’s the problem with the UCF offense. It can throw a bit, but when it runs, it has to run for a TON of yards – the O can’t just sort of work.

Yes, the team wins when it gets to 200 yards, but so far this year UCF hasn’t won when it’s been below 289 on the ground. Arizona State has yet to allow anyone to get to 200, and Cincinnati is the only team to get past 150.

UCF doesn’t do anything to control the clock or tempo, Arizona State should be able to grind out drives even without Skattebo, and …

UCF vs Arizona State: Who Will Win?

The Sun Devils have to prove themselves in this game.

The team has won all four games at home, UCF is playing in a different time zone, and the ASU ground game should have more control over the game. It looks like a fun game with lots of flash and power. The team will surely win another close one.