UCF Knights football stadium during a night game filled with enthusiastic fans.
The University of Central Florida Knights football team is bracing for a demanding season with the fifth-hardest schedule in the Big 12 Conference. Ranked 57th nationally in strength of schedule, UCF aims to improve after a challenging recent history. With head coach Scott Frost at the helm, the team will kick off against Jacksonville State and face several tougher opponents including Kansas State. As they adapt to a roster featuring new talent, the Knights seek to overcome previous struggles and make a significant impact this season.
The UCF Knights football team is gearing up for a demanding 2025 season as they prepare to face the fifth-hardest schedule in the Big 12 Conference, according to ESPN’s latest rankings. The Knights are positioned at 57th nationally in strength of schedule among the 136 FBS teams as they seek to improve their performance after a challenging couple of years in the league.
As the team heads into the new season under the leadership of returning head coach Scott Frost, the Knights will kick off their campaign against Jacksonville State on August 28, 2025. Jacksonville State is the lowest-ranked opponent on UCF’s schedule according to both the Football Power Index (FPI) and overall strength of schedule metrics.
According to the rankings, the UCF Knights are set to encounter five teams within the Big 12 that are rated higher than them by FPI. Their most formidable adversary will be Kansas State, currently ranked 21st, when they meet on September 27, 2025. This season presents a significant challenge for UCF following their 5-13 record in Big 12 play over the past two years, during which six of their losses were by less than seven points, indicating their potential competitiveness.
UCF’s complete strength of schedule is reflected in the rankings among the 15 other Big 12 teams, as follows:
Among these contenders, a significant number of teams provide a tough landscape, demonstrating the highly competitive nature of the Big 12 Conference. Notably, the Southeastern Conference holds sixteen of the top twenty hardest schedules, with the Florida Gators topping the list.
The UCF Knights are poised to enter the 2025 season with a new roster that features 28 new players acquired during the midyear period. This new talent pool includes several transfers and high school athletes, giving the team a fresh look. However, the Knights will be looking to compensate for significant departures, including the loss of All-American running back RJ Harvey and other key players from the previous season’s roster.
As UCF prepares for the upcoming season, focus remains on turning around their performance in the Big 12, with expectations of improvement guiding the team’s preparations. The challenges posed by their formidable schedule are understood, but the coaching staff and players are committed to pushing forward for better outcomes this time around.
With the 2025 season just around the corner, the UCF Knights look to overcome their struggles in the Big 12 and make a mark with a demanding schedule that includes key matchups against some of the best teams in the nation. As the Knights ready themselves for competition, all eyes will be on their ability to rise to the occasion amid the challenges that lie ahead.
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