UCF to win+113
TLDR: Baylor fired its coach on Sunday and is on its 2nd straight road trip, while UCF stays home, where it is unbeaten this season, for the Space Game.
Point
- Coaching change
Baylor fired Dave Aranda on Sunday, so Joe Klanderman, the defensive coordinator in his 1st Baylor season, coaches his 1st game as interim with 5 days to prepare.
- Home and away
UCF is 4-0 at home and 0-3 away this season, and 8-1 all-time in the Space Game, which is in its 10th year Friday.
- Road swing
Baylor goes on the road for the 2nd week in a row, Lawrence and then Orlando 6 days apart, while UCF stays home.
- Baylor injuries
Leading rusher Dawson Pendergrass and cornerback Devon Jordan, who has 3 interceptions, are both questionable, which thins Baylor's run game and its secondary.
Counterpoint
- Pass defense
UCF ranks 118th nationally in passing yards allowed, and DJ Lagway's Baylor offense averages 278.9 passing yards a game, 4th in the Big 12.
- UCF secondary
UCF has ruled out starting safety Demari Henderson and cornerback DJ Bell, so its weakest unit is missing 2 regulars against Baylor's best one.
Neutral
- Last meeting
Baylor won 30-3 in Waco last November, but Aranda and quarterback Sawyer Robertson, Baylor's coach and passer that day, are both gone.
- Weather
Friday calls for breezy northeast wind gusting 20-30 mph, about 72 at night and a 20% shower chance, which tests both passing games and both kickers.