Jacksonville State Gamecocks @ UCF Knights Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 8/28/2025 7:00 PM EDT

We have your Jacksonville State Gamecocks @ UCF Knights prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Jacksonville State Gamecocks hit the road to face the UCF Knights.

Game Info

Date: 8/28/2025
Time: 7:00 PM EDT
Location: Bounce House, Orlando, Florida
TV: -

Jacksonville State Gamecocks @ UCF Knights Preview

The UCF Knights are set to kick off their season at home against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks, marking the highly anticipated return of head coach Scott Frost to Orlando. Frost, who previously led the Knights to an undefeated season in 2017, is back for his second stint, aiming to replicate past success. The Knights have named Florida Atlantic transfer Cam Fancher as their starting quarterback. Fancher, a redshirt senior, brings versatility to the position, having completed 59.4% of his passes for 1,528 yards and six touchdowns, along with 365 rushing yards and three scores in nine games at FAU in 2024. His ability to both deliver from the pocket and extend plays outside of it will be key for the UCF offense.

On the other side, Jacksonville State faces a significant transition. Head coach Rich Rodriguez has departed to take the job at West Virginia, with Charles Kelly stepping in as his replacement. This will be Kelly's first head coaching role despite over 30 years of coaching experience. The Gamecocks, who won the C-USA last season with a 7-1 conference record, are expected to rank near last in the country in returning production. Their 2024 season began with two substantial losses to Coastal Carolina and Louisville, combining for a 63-point deficit, highlighting potential struggles against Power Four competition.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

Specific historical head-to-head game results between the Jacksonville State Gamecocks and the UCF Knights are not available in the provided data.

Pick: UCF -16.5

The UCF Knights are poised to cover the spread against Jacksonville State. The return of Scott Frost to UCF brings a renewed sense of optimism and a proven track record of success. His previous tenure saw the Knights transform into an unbeaten team, and he's expected to start his second run on a positive note. The Knights' decision to name Cam Fancher as the starting quarterback provides a capable and consistent option to lead the offense.

Conversely, Jacksonville State is undergoing a significant coaching change with Charles Kelly taking over as head coach, his first time in the role. This, coupled with the Gamecocks ranking near the bottom in returning production, suggests a team in a rebuilding phase. Last season, Jacksonville State struggled significantly against higher-tier opponents, losing their first two games by a combined 63 points. The talent disparity between a rebuilding Big 12 team like UCF and a significantly retooled C-USA team like Jacksonville State is expected to be substantial, making the -16.5 point spread a favorable play for UCF.