Where: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater

When: Saturday, noon

TV: ESPN2

Weather: 80 degrees with a 0% chance of precipitation

Line: Oklahoma State by 9.5 points

Coaches:Scott Frost is 27-16 at UCF, 43-47 overall; Eric Morris is 3-1 at OSU, 25-17 overall

Quick slant: This marks the third meeting between the two programs, with UCF leading the series 2-0 against Oklahoma State. In their most recent meeting, the Knights scored 17 unanswered points to come from behind and defeat the Cowboys, 17-14. Quarterback Tayven Jackson tossed two touchdown passes to tight end Dylan Wade, while Noe Ruelas clinched the win with a 34-yard field goal with just 57 seconds remaining. UCF tight ends coach Cooper Bassett is returning to his alma mater, where he was a four-year letterwinner who played both tight end and defensive lineman. He also served as OSU’s offensive line coach last season.

About UCF (3-2, 1-1 Big 12): Running back Duke Watson is one of six players in the Big 12 to have rushed for at least 400 yards. He ranks third in the conference in rushing plays of 10-plus yards, with 15, and his 8.2 yards-per-carry average ranks him third in the nation. UCF is seeking its first win over a ranked opponent since defeating then-No. 15 Oklahoma State, 45-3, on Nov. 11, 2023. The Knights haven’t beaten a ranked opponent on the road since upsetting then-No. 17 Tulane, 38-31 on Nov. 12, 2022.

About No. 18 Oklahoma State (3-1, 1-0 Big 12): First-year coach Eric Morris brought his high-powered, explosive offense from North Texas. Oklahoma State ranks second in the nation in total offense, averaging 548.3 yards per game. Also joining Morris is quarterback Drew Mestemaker, who leads the Big 12 in passing yards per game with 317.9. He’s thrown for at least 200 yards in 19 consecutive games. Running back Caleb Hawins is fourth in the league in rushing with 441 yards.

Three things to watch

1. UCF continues to have its struggles on third down, managing to convert only 33% of its attempts. Oklahoma State isn’t far behind, with a third-down conversion rate of just 32%. However, the Cowboys excel defensively, ranking second in the Big 12 in third-down defense and allowing opponents to convert just 28% of the time.

2. The Knights are tied for the lead in the Big 12 with 10 takeaways, along with Baylor and Texas Tech. UCF is 20-2 when it wins the turnover battle under Scott Frost, including 3-0 this season, but just 4-11 when it commits more turnovers than its opponent.

2. UCF has registered at least one sack in every game, compiling 11 sacks, while Oklahoma State has allowed just three quarterback sacks through four games.

Please find me on X, Bluesky or Instagram at @osmattmurschel. Email: mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com. Sign up for the Sentinel’s Knights Weekly newsletter for a roundup of all our UCF coverage.

Source: Yahoo Sports