2022 UCF Knights Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions

2022 UCF KNIGHTS BETTING ODDS, PREDICTIONS, PREVIEW

After being the top Group of Five program in the country for three straight seasons from 2017 to 2019, UCF has hit a bit of a rough patch. The Knights have lost four games in back-to-back years, and they have been surpassed in their own conference by Cincinnati. However, it looks like Gus Malzahn has this team ready to compete for the AAC title once again in 2022.

Although Dillon Gabriel transferred to Oklahoma, the Knights should have one of the best offenses in the conference. Freshman Mikey Keene posted solid numbers in place of an injured Gabriel in 2021, but the likely starter is Ole Miss transfer John Rhys Plumlee. The versatile Plumlee only threw eight passes over the last two seasons behind Matt Corral, yet he is the prototypical quarterback to run Gus Malzahn’s offense because of his athleticism. Plumlee ran for over 1,000 yards (6.6 YPC) and 12 touchdowns in 2019, and his dual-threat ability is exactly what Malzahn emphasized in his signal callers at Auburn.

Both of last season’s top running backs have returned to Orlando for another year. Isaiah Bowser was a bruiser last year and averaged 4.4 YPC with nine touchdowns, while Johnny Richardson was a home run hitter that averaged 7.0 YPC in this offense. The Knights return three starters along the offensive line, and Malzahn was also able to add experienced offensive linemen Tylan Grable and Ryan Swoboda in the transfer portal.

Ryan O’Keefe is the leading returning receiver for the Knights. O’Keefe was primarily used as an underneath threat last season (9.7 YPR), so UCF is hoping that Auburn transfer Kobe Hudson can bring some explosiveness to the passing game.

UCF should have one of the best secondaries in the AAC. Davonte Brown, Jarvis Ware, Quadric Bullard, and Divaad Wilson are all potential all-conference selections, and Ware has the potential to be a Day 1 or Day 2 draft pick if he recovers from last year’s season-ending injury.

The Knights ranked 40^th in Defensive SP+ in 2021, and the defensive line figures to improve this season. UCF has seven upperclassmen in the two-deep, and Ricky Barber and Tremon Morris-Brash are both solid up front. There are some concerns about the linebackers, but if they can play well, this defense has the potential to be a top 30 unit.

We should see much better play from this offense in 2022, and that will help the defense stay off the field. Malzahn was able to bring in several transfers from P5 schools to fill roles, so UCF has a good chance of winning 10 or more games this season.  

Best Bet: Over 8.5 Wins (-110)

Updated on 04/19/2024

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2022 UCF KNIGHTS SCHEDULE

• Thu., Sept. 1 - vs. South Carolina State
• Fri., Sept. 9 - vs. Louisville
• Sat., Sept. 17 - at FAU
• Sat., Sept. 24 - vs. Georgia Tech
• Sat., Oct. 1 - vs. SMU
• Thu., Oct. 13 - vs. Temple
• Sat. Oct. 22 - at ECU
• Sat., Oct. 29 - vs. Cincinnati
• Sat., Nov. 5 - at Memphis
• Sat., Nov. 12 - at Tuane
• Sat., Nov. 19 - vs. Navy
• Sat., Nov. 16 - at USF

WIN TOTAL ODDS

• Over 8.5 (-110)
• Under 8.5 (-110)

UCF KNIGHTS ODDS TO WIN AAC CHAMPIONSHIP

+200

The Knights have a favorable schedule and should be one of the two AAC teams in the conference championship game. UCF avoids Houston in conference play and gets to face both SMU and Cincinnati at home. A three-week stretch that sees the Knights host Cincinnati then travel to Memphis and Tulane will determine this team’s fate, but if they run the table, they should be in excellent position to win the AAC before leaving for the Big 12. 

UCF KNIGHTS ODDS TO WIN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

+50000

It’s tough to consider UCF a national championship contender after the Knights went 13-0 in 2017 and failed to merit much consideration for the College Football Playoff. UCF does have a quality schedule though with two ACC opponents they host in Louisville and Georgia Tech. The Knights may earn a little more respect since they will be joining a Power Five conference in 2023, but they will need a lot of things to break in their favor to make the CFP.

UCF KNIGHTS 2022 HEISMAN CONTENDERS & ODDS

John Rhys Plumlee (QB) +12500

Malzahn has coached a Heisman Trophy winner in the past as Cam Newton easily won the award in 2010. Of course, Plumlee isn’t in the same stratosphere as Newton, but he has the potential to post gaudy numbers in this offense. He will probably run for over 1,000 yards if he stays healthy, yet even out of this world numbers don’t guarantee a G5 QB a spot as one of the Heisman Trophy finalists.

2021 UCF KNIGHTS BETTING RESULTS

• SU: 9-4
• ATS: 5-8
• O/U: 7-5-1
• ATS-Home: 3-4
• ATS-Road: 2-4
• ATS-Favorite: 4-6
• ATS-Underdog: 1-2

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