Restlessness and resolve
UCF football coach Scott Frost says he and the fans are "restless" for wins after several years of struggles. The Knights will kick off their season on Thursday, Sept. 3, against Bethune-Cookman, with kickoff scheduled for 7 , although thunderstorms are in the Central Florida forecast for the late afternoon and evening.
Since joining the Big 12 in 2023, UCF has a 15-22 record and has missed bowl eligibility for two straight seasons, according to the Naples Daily News. Frost, speaking at an Aug. 31 press conference, said, "We love our fanbase. I think they'll be even more engaged when we get this thing really rolling. I hope we're ready to do that right now."
The Knights have historically started seasons well, with three straight 3-0 starts despite recent struggles. UCF has won eight straight against Bethune-Cookman, 10 season openers in a row, and 11 consecutive Thursday night matchups — the third-longest active streak in college football, as reported by the Naples Daily News.
Last year's opener, a 17-10 win over Jacksonville State, featured a two-hour, eight-minute weather delay in the first half, a detail that may preview similar challenges this year given the forecast.
New faces, high expectations
Redshirt senior quarterback Alonza Barnett III will make his debut after arriving from James Madison via the transfer portal. Barnett guided the Dukes to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history, and he threw 49 touchdowns against 12 interceptions in the last two years combined, as reported by TCPalm. He missed spring camp out of an abundance of caution but said, "I share the same level of excitement as the rest of my teammates. We're super hyped to get out there in front of this great fanbase, this great community, and show what we've been practicing all fall camp."
Freshman wide receiver Tyren Hornes, an Under Armour All-American who signed from Michigan State, is expected to start at least one game, according to TCPalm. Waden Charles, who caught 26 passes for 290 yards last season, blossomed into a starter as a freshman, providing depth at the position.
On defense, Oregon State transfer Thomas Collins is predicted to lead UCF in sacks, per TCPalm, filling the void left by Malachi Lawrence, who led the team with seven sacks last season and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.
UCF returns 61% of its production from a season ago, including six defensive starters, according to the Naples Daily News. However, linebacker Cole Kozlowski's status remains in a "holding pattern" as he awaits a final ruling about a fifth year of eligibility.
Road to redemption
UCF enters the fall on a nine-game road losing streak, dating back to a 21-point comeback over TCU in September 2024, as reported by TCPalm. The Knights averaged 12.8 points in their five road defeats last season, twice posting single-digit scores.
TCPalm predicts UCF will win multiple road games in 2026, citing a softer schedule that avoids most of the Big 12's upper tier. The Knights play road games at Pittsburgh, Kansas, Oklahoma State, and Colorado, teams that project toward the bottom half of the conference standings, according to TCPalm.
Frost, however, is focused on the immediate task. "We can't be looking ahead at anything. We've got to be focused on the task at hand," he said. "I want to play as well as we can in this one and, really, as clean and efficient as we can in this one."
Favored by 41½ points according to FanDuel Sportsbook, UCF should be able to sprinkle its reserves into the later stages of the game, per the Naples Daily News. But with thunderstorms in the forecast, the game could mirror last year's weather-delayed opener.