ChompTalk.com

Following a week off, the Florida Gators are set to take on the UCF Knights in primetime at the Swamp.

The Gators are coming off a tough win over Mississippi State while the Knights dropped their first game of the year against Deion Sanders’ Colorado Buffaloes.

The following is our staff’s predictions for Florida vs UCF.

Brian Fox: The Gators opened as a 2.5-point favorite, but in less than 24 hours, the line completely flipped. Florida is now a 2.5-point underdog against in-state UCF. The Knights will have KJ Jefferson under center. The former Razorback performed really well against Florida last November in a 39-36 Arkansas win. On the day, Jefferson completed 20-31 passes for 255 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 92 yards and a score on the ground. Florida will have to stop a really solid ground attack from the Knights, which hasn’t exactly been a strength for the Florida defense. UCF, 31-20.

Ryan Friedwald: This has been the toughest pick of the year and probably will be for the remainder of the season. If the Gators can maintain the run game, they will win this football game. Unfortunately, the Gators defense has allowed 833 total rushing yards in four games, averaging around 208 rushing yards per game. I assume (and hope) that Armstrong has prepared his scheme for the run game because that is the main source of yards coming from the Knights offense. The Knights are also winless in the swamp, historically speaking. I think the Gators get it done after a well timed bye week coming off a dominant victory against Mississippi State. Gators to win, 31-17.

Aiden Wacksman: UCF is coming off a rough 48-21 loss to Colorado in which its defense allowed 418 total yards. In that game, though, the greatest issue for the Knights was their four turnovers (two fumbles, two interceptions). Colorado’s defense has enough potency to stay ahead in the turnover battle, but I’m not sure Florida’s can say the same. The unit has fallen behind in the turnover battle in just about every game this season, and without forced turnovers, I don’t see how the Gators can escape with a win. The front seven, which allowed over 200 rushing yards to Mississippi State, will need a miraculous revival to stop UCF’s fierce rushing attack. I hope to see Florida’s defensive front achieve its best performance of the season, but I don’t think it will happen this Saturday. UCF, 37-31.

Florida and UCF are set to kickoff from Gainesville at 7:45 PM. The game will be broadcast live on SEC Network.