The Houston Cougars are gearing up for a crucial Big 12 Conference showdown against the Central Florida Knights this Friday night in what has been dubbed "The Space Game." This matchup carries significant implications for Houston’s aspirations to secure a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game, with both teams eager to make their mark as the season progresses. The game will kick off at 8 p.m. ET from Acrisure Bounce House in Orlando, Florida, setting the stage for a compelling battle between two teams with contrasting records and trajectories this season.
Houston enters the contest with a solid 7-2 overall record and a 4-2 mark within the Big 12, currently tied for fourth place in the conference standings. The Cougars have been particularly impressive on the road, boasting an undefeated 4-0 record away from home this season. Their success away from Houston underscores their resilience and ability to perform under pressure, traits they will need to exhibit once again as they face UCF on the Knights’ turf.
In contrast, Central Florida comes into the game with a 4-4 overall record and a 1-4 record in Big 12 play, placing them 13th in the conference standings. However, the Knights have shown fortitude on their home field, compiling a 4-1 record in 2025 at Acrisure Bounce House. Despite their struggles in conference play, playing at home gives UCF a boost, and they will look to leverage that advantage to challenge Houston’s road dominance.
Betting odds favor Houston by a narrow margin, with the Cougars listed as 1.5-point favorites in the latest Houston vs. UCF betting lines. The over/under for total points scored in the game is set at 47.5, suggesting that bookmakers anticipate a moderately high-scoring contest. Money line odds are close as well, with Houston at -115 and UCF at -104, reflecting the competitive nature of this matchup.
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Turning to the teams’ key players, Houston’s offense is led by junior quarterback Conner Weigman, a dual-threat athlete who has been instrumental in the Cougars’ success. In nine games this season, Weigman has completed 148 of 228 passes, posting a 64.9% completion rate for 1,890 yards and 16 touchdowns against just four interceptions. His quarterback rating stands at an impressive 154.2. Beyond his passing acumen, Weigman is a significant rushing threat, carrying the ball 99 times for 327 yards and nine touchdowns. His recent performances have been strong, including a notable effort in last week’s loss to West Virginia where he threw for 309 yards and four touchdowns, albeit with two interceptions, while also scoring a rushing touchdown.
Supporting Weigman in the passing game is junior receiver Amare Thomas, a transfer from UAB who has emerged as the Cougars’ top target. Thomas has hauled in 40 receptions for 634 yards, averaging 15.9 yards per catch, and has scored seven touchdowns. His recent outputs highlight his reliability and big-play potential; in the loss to West Virginia, Thomas caught 10 passes for 99 yards and three touchdowns. Earlier in the season, he also recorded six receptions for 104 yards and a long 36-yard catch in a tight overtime victory over Oregon State.
On the other side, UCF’s offense is spearheaded by redshirt junior quarterback Tayven Jackson. Jackson has completed 121 of 191 passes for 1,334 yards and five touchdowns, with four interceptions, across seven games. He maintains a solid 63.4% completion rate and contributes on the ground as well, rushing 34 times for 72 yards and three touchdowns. Jackson’s dual-threat ability was on display in UCF’s 34-9 triumph over North Carolina, where he completed 25 of 32 passes for 223 yards and one touchdown, along with 10 carries for 66 yards and a rushing score.
The Knights also feature a potent backfield duo in seniors Myles Montgomery and Jaden Nixon. Montgomery