Another week and another challenge awaits UCF’s defense.

The Knights (3-1, 1-1 Big 12) are back on the road this weekend, heading to Stillwater to take on No. 18 Oklahoma State (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) on Saturday (Noon, ESPN2). It’s the second of three consecutive games against ranked opponents, following last week’s loss to No. 20 Houston, 27-17.

After this tough stretch, UCF will enjoy a bye week before hosting No. 8 BYU on Oct. 24.

This matchup also continues the trend of facing potential NFL draft picks at quarterback, as the Knights prepare to go against OSU’s Drew Mestemaker.

The sophomore from Austin, Texas, has been projected as a possible late first- or early second-round pick in next year’s NFL Draft. He’s completed 67% of his passes, amassing 1,271 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and 5 interceptions this season. He’s also rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown.

“This guy is a good player,” said coach Scott Frost. “Just about everybody in the country would have taken him in the portal when he left, but he followed his coach. Drew’s a special guy. He’s going to be a draft pick. When you’re playing a guy like that, you really got to be on your game.”

“It’s another quarterback of quality,” added defensive coordinator Alex Grinch. “He doesn’t get rattled, he doesn’t get sacked and he’s got an arm that probably rivals anybody.”

Mestemaker has thrown for at least 200 yards in 19 straight games and at least 300 yards in the past three games.

The 20-year-old has been the catalyst for Oklahoma State’s bounce-back after a disappointing 1-11 campaign in 2025. He joined former North Texas coach Eric Morris, who took the Cowboys job following an 11-2 season with the Mean Green.

Morris developed a reputation for a high-tempo offensive philosophy rooted heavily in the Air Raid offense made famous by Mike Leach.

He brought that philosophy with him to OSU, where the team ranks second in the nation in total offense and seventh in passing offense.

The Cowboys have been on a tear since their 24-10 loss at Tulsa on Sept. 5, winning three straight games by a combined 139 points, including an impressive 39-31 win over then-No. 13 Oregon on Sept. 12.

“There’s not a problem they don’t create (with their offense),” said Grinch. “Their ability to run the football creates a lot of stuff in the passing game and you’ve got a quarterback that can direct it all.

“It’s another week for us facing a top 10 offense that we’ve got to defend. It’s what we signed up for.”

UCF enters this weekend battered and bruised after surrendering 27 points in the final 21 minutes against Houston last week. Before the game against the Cougars, the Knights allowed only 15 points in the second half.

“Their defense has been playing at a really high level,” Morris said of UCF’s defense. “Not many people have been able to establish the line of scrimmage with that defensive line. It’s a big challenge in front of us.”

Source: Yahoo Sports