UCF Football: Knights 2024 Schedule Announced
Are you ready for some football? The UCF Knights are set to take the field in 2024 with a challenging and exciting schedule. From longtime rivals to new foes, the Knights will face a variety of opponents throughout the season. So, mark your calendars and get ready for some thrilling football action.
The 2024 campaign will kick off with a home game against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. This will be the first time these two teams have faced each other since 2018, and the Knights will be looking to extend their winning streak against the Wildcats to five games.
Now that we’ve covered the highlights of the 2024 UCF football schedule, let’s take a closer look at each game and what to expect.
UCF 2024 Football Schedule
The UCF Knights will face a challenging and exciting schedule in 2024. Here are 10 important points to know:
- Season opener: Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (home)
- Conference foes: Cincinnati, Memphis, East Carolina, Houston, SMU, Temple
- Non-conference games: Florida, NC State, Georgia Southern
- Rivals: Cincinnati, Memphis, East Carolina
- Home games: 7
- Road games: 6
- Bye week: Week 10
- New opponents: Georgia Southern, NC State
- Season finale: at SMU
- National TV games: 5
The Knights will have their work cut out for them in 2024, but they have the talent and experience to make another run at the conference title.
Season opener: Bethune-Cookman Wildcats (home)
The UCF Knights will kick off their 2024 season at home against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. This will be the first time these two teams have faced each other since 2018, and the Knights will be looking to extend their winning streak against the Wildcats to five games.
Bethune-Cookman is a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) team, but they are no pushovers. The Wildcats have won three MEAC championships in the past six years, and they have a number of talented players on their roster. Quarterback Jalon Jones is a dynamic playmaker who can beat teams with his arm and his legs. Running back Isaiah Bowser is a powerful runner who is averaging over 100 yards per game this season.
The Knights, on the other hand, are coming off a disappointing 7-6 season. However, they have a lot of talent returning in 2024, including quarterback Mikey Keene and running back RJ Harvey. The Knights also have a new head coach in Kenny Dillingham, who is known for his innovative offensive schemes.
The Bethune-Cookman game is a great opportunity for the Knights to start the season on a positive note. It will also be a chance for the fans to get a first look at the new-look Knights under Coach Dillingham.
The Knights will need to be careful not to overlook the Wildcats. Bethune-Cookman is a tough opponent, and they will be looking to pull off an upset. The Knights will need to play their best game in order to win.
Conference foes: Cincinnati, Memphis, East Carolina, Houston, SMU, Temple
The American Athletic Conference (AAC) is one of the toughest conferences in college football, and the UCF Knights will have their work cut out for them in 2024. The Knights will face six conference opponents, including Cincinnati, Memphis, East Carolina, Houston, SMU, and Temple.
Cincinnati is the defending AAC champion, and they are always a contender for the College Football Playoff. The Bearcats have a lot of talent returning in 2024, including quarterback Evan Prater and running back Corey Kiner. Memphis is another tough opponent, and they have a high-powered offense led by quarterback Seth Henigan. East Carolina is a rising program, and they have a lot of talented players on their roster, including quarterback Holton Ahlers and running back Keaton Mitchell.
Houston and SMU are also tough opponents, and they both have a lot of talent on their rosters. Temple is the weakest team in the AAC, but they are still a respectable opponent. The Knights will need to be at their best in order to win the AAC championship in 2024.
The Knights have a tough conference schedule in 2024, but they have the talent and experience to compete with anyone. If they can stay healthy and play to their potential, they have a chance to win the AAC championship and make a run at the College Football Playoff.
The Knights will need to be careful not to overlook any of their conference opponents. Every team in the AAC is capable of winning on any given day. The Knights will need to be focused and prepared for each and every game in order to win the conference championship.
Non-conference games: Florida, NC State, Georgia Southern
The UCF Knights will face three non-conference opponents in 2024: Florida, NC State, and Georgia Southern.
Florida is always a tough opponent, and the Knights will have their work cut out for them when they travel to Gainesville in 2024. The Gators have a lot of talent on their roster, including quarterback Anthony Richardson and running back Nay’Quan Wright. NC State is another tough opponent, and they have a high-powered offense led by quarterback Devin Leary. Georgia Southern is a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) team, but they are still a respectable opponent. The Eagles have a lot of talented players on their roster, including quarterback Kyle Vantrease and running back Jalen White.
The Knights will need to be at their best in order to win their non-conference games in 2024. Florida and NC State are both ranked in the Top 25, and Georgia Southern is a tough opponent. The Knights will need to be focused and prepared for each and every game in order to come out on top.
The non-conference games will be a good test for the Knights. They will give the Knights a chance to see where they stand against some of the best teams in the country. The Knights will also have a chance to build some momentum heading into conference play.
The Knights have a tough non-conference schedule in 2024, but they have the talent and experience to compete with anyone. If they can stay healthy and play to their potential, they have a chance to win all three of their non-conference games.
Rivals: Cincinnati, Memphis, East Carolina
The UCF Knights have a number of rivals in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), but their three biggest rivals are Cincinnati, Memphis, and East Carolina.
Cincinnati is the Knights’ biggest rival. The two schools are located just a few hours apart, and they have a long history of competing against each other. The Bearcats and Knights have met 19 times on the football field, with Cincinnati holding a 10-9 advantage. The two teams have also met in the AAC Championship Game twice, with Cincinnati winning both times.
Memphis is another big rival for the Knights. The two schools are located in the same state, and they have a lot of fans in common. The Tigers and Knights have met 15 times on the football field, with Memphis holding a 9-6 advantage. The two teams have also met in the AAC Championship Game once, with Memphis winning that game.
East Carolina is the Knights’ third biggest rival. The two schools are located in neighboring states, and they have a lot of fans in common. The Pirates and Knights have met 13 times on the football field, with East Carolina holding a 7-6 advantage. The two teams have also met in the AAC Championship Game once, with East Carolina winning that game.
The Knights will face all three of their rivals in 2024. They will host Cincinnati and East Carolina, and they will travel to Memphis. These games will be some of the most important and exciting games of the season for the Knights.
The Knights have a tough rivalry schedule in 2024, but they have the talent and experience to compete with anyone. If they can stay healthy and play to their potential, they have a chance to win all three of their rivalry games.
Home games: 7
The UCF Knights will play seven home games in 2024. This is a great opportunity for the Knights to build a home-field advantage and create a great atmosphere for their fans.
- Bethune-Cookman Wildcats: This will be the season opener for the Knights, and it is a great opportunity for them to start the season on a positive note.
- Cincinnati Bearcats: This is one of the biggest games of the season for the Knights. Cincinnati is their biggest rival, and the game will be played in front of a sellout crowd.
- East Carolina Pirates: This is another big rivalry game for the Knights. East Carolina is a tough opponent, and the game will be played in a hostile environment.
- Memphis Tigers: This is another big rivalry game for the Knights. Memphis is a tough opponent, and the game will be played in a great atmosphere.
- SMU Mustangs: This is the final home game of the regular season for the Knights. SMU is a tough opponent, and the game will be played on Senior Day.
- Florida A&M Rattlers (FCS): This is a non-conference game against an FCS opponent. The Knights should be able to win this game easily, but it is still a good opportunity for them to get some playing time for their younger players.
- Conference USA opponent: The Knights will also host a conference USA opponent in 2024. The opponent has not yet been determined, but it will be a good opportunity for the Knights to pick up a conference win.
The Knights have a great home schedule in 2024. They will have the opportunity to play in front of their fans seven times, and they will have a chance to win all seven of those games. If the Knights can take care of business at home, they will be in a good position to win the AAC championship and make a run at the College Football Playoff.
Road games: 6
The UCF Knights will play six road games in 2024. This will be a tough challenge for the Knights, but it is also a great opportunity for them to prove themselves against some of the best teams in the country.
- Florida Gators: This is one of the toughest road games on the Knights’ schedule. The Gators are a perennial powerhouse, and they will be looking to avenge their loss to the Knights in 2023.
- NC State Wolfpack: This is another tough road game for the Knights. The Wolfpack are a rising program, and they have a lot of talent on their roster. This game will be played in a hostile environment.
- Georgia Southern Eagles: This is the Knights’ only road game against an FCS opponent in 2024. The Eagles are a tough opponent, and they will be looking to pull off an upset.
- Houston Cougars: This is a big rivalry game for the Knights. Houston is a tough opponent, and the game will be played in a great atmosphere.
- Temple Owls: This is the Knights’ final road game of the regular season. Temple is a tough opponent, and the game will be played in a hostile environment.
- Conference USA opponent: The Knights will also play a road game against a Conference USA opponent in 2024. The opponent has not yet been determined, but it will be a good opportunity for the Knights to pick up a conference win.
The Knights have a tough road schedule in 2024, but they have the talent and experience to compete with anyone. If the Knights can win at least four of their road games, they will be in a good position to win the AAC championship and make a run at the College Football Playoff.
Bye week: Week 10
The UCF Knights will have their bye week in Week 10 of the 2024 season. This is a good time for the Knights to rest and recover before they enter the final stretch of the regular season.
The bye week can be used for a variety of purposes. The Knights can use it to give their players a much-needed break from the rigors of the season. They can also use it to scout their upcoming opponents and make adjustments to their game plan. Additionally, the bye week can be used to recruit new players and promote the program to potential recruits.
The Knights have a tough schedule in 2024, so the bye week will be a welcome opportunity for them to rest and recharge. They will need to be at their best in the final stretch of the season in order to win the AAC championship and make a run at the College Football Playoff.
Here are some of the things that the Knights can do during their bye week:
- Rest and recover: The players will have a chance to rest their bodies and minds after a long and grueling season.
- Scout upcoming opponents: The coaches will have a chance to scout their upcoming opponents and make adjustments to their game plan.
- Recruit new players: The coaches will have a chance to recruit new players and promote the program to potential recruits.
- Promote the program: The Knights can use the bye week to promote the program to fans and potential recruits. They can do this by hosting events, giving interviews, and posting content on social media.
The bye week is an important part of the college football season. It gives the players and coaches a chance to rest and recharge before the final stretch of the season. The Knights will need to make the most of their bye week in order to be successful in 2024.
New opponents: Georgia Southern, NC State
The UCF Knights will face two new opponents in 2024: Georgia Southern and NC State. These are both tough opponents, but they are also great opportunities for the Knights to prove themselves against some of the best teams in the country.
- Georgia Southern Eagles: The Eagles are a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) team, but they are one of the best FCS teams in the country. They have won six FCS national championships, and they have a lot of talented players on their roster. The Knights will need to be careful not to overlook the Eagles.
- NC State Wolfpack: The Wolfpack are a Power Five team from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). They are a rising program, and they have a lot of talent on their roster. The Knights will need to be at their best in order to beat the Wolfpack.
The Knights are excited about the opportunity to face new opponents in 2024. They know that these games will be tough, but they are confident that they can win both games. If the Knights can beat Georgia Southern and NC State, they will send a message to the rest of the country that they are a team to be reckoned with.
Season finale: at SMU
The UCF Knights will finish their 2024 regular season on the road against the SMU Mustangs. This is a tough matchup for the Knights, as SMU is a rising program with a lot of talent on their roster.
- Tough opponent: SMU is a tough opponent for any team, and they will be especially tough to beat at home. The Mustangs have a lot of talent on their roster, and they are always well-coached.
- Rivalry game: This game is also a rivalry game for the Knights. SMU is one of the Knights’ biggest rivals, and the two teams always play each other tough.
- Senior Day: This game will also be Senior Day for SMU. The Mustangs will be honoring their senior class, and they will be looking to send them out with a win.
The Knights will need to be at their best in order to win this game. They will need to play mistake-free football and they will need to make big plays when they have the opportunity. If the Knights can do those things, they have a chance to win the game and finish the regular season on a high note.
National TV games: 5
The UCF Knights will have five of their games televised nationally in 2024. This is a great opportunity for the Knights to showcase their program to a national audience.
- Florida: This game will be televised on ESPN. It is one of the biggest games on the Knights’ schedule, and it will be a great opportunity for them to show the country what they are made of.
- Cincinnati: This game will be televised on ABC. It is another big rivalry game for the Knights, and it will be a great opportunity for them to win a statement game.
- Memphis: This game will be televised on ESPN2. It is another big rivalry game for the Knights, and it will be a great opportunity for them to show the country that they are the top team in the AAC.
- NC State: This game will be televised on ESPN. It is a new opponent for the Knights, and it will be a great opportunity for them to prove themselves against a Power Five team.
- SMU: This game will be televised on CBS. It is the Knights’ season finale, and it will be a great opportunity for them to finish the regular season on a high note.
The Knights are excited about the opportunity to have five of their games televised nationally in 2024. They know that this is a great opportunity for them to showcase their program to the country. The Knights are confident that they can win all five of their nationally televised games and make a statement to the rest of the country.
FAQ
Have questions about the UCF Knights’ 2024 football schedule? Here are some frequently asked questions and answers:
Question 1: When does the 2024 UCF football season start?
Answer: The 2024 UCF football season kicks off on Saturday, August 31, 2024, with a home game against the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats.
Question 2: How many home games will the Knights have in 2024?
Answer: The Knights will have seven home games in 2024.
Question 3: How many road games will the Knights have in 2024?
Answer: The Knights will have six road games in 2024.
Question 4: Who are the Knights’ biggest rivals?
Answer: The Knights’ biggest rivals are Cincinnati, Memphis, and East Carolina.
Question 5: When is the Knights’ bye week?
Answer: The Knights’ bye week is in Week 10 of the 2024 season.
Question 6: How many national TV games will the Knights have in 2024?
Answer: The Knights will have five of their games televised nationally in 2024.
Question 7: Who are the Knights’ new opponents in 2024?
Answer: The Knights’ new opponents in 2024 are Georgia Southern and NC State.
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These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about the UCF Knights’ 2024 football schedule. For more information, please visit the UCF Knights’ official website.
Now that you know all about the UCF Knights’ 2024 football schedule, here are a few tips for making the most of your gameday experience:
Tips
Here are a few tips for making the most of your UCF Knights’ 2024 football schedule:
Tip 1: Buy your tickets early.
UCF football tickets are always in high demand, so it’s important to buy your tickets early to get the best seats. You can purchase tickets online, over the phone, or at the UCF Athletics Ticket Office.
Tip 2: Arrive early.
The gates to Spectrum Stadium open two hours before kickoff. Arriving early will give you plenty of time to find your seats, grab a bite to eat, and soak up the pre-game atmosphere.
Tip 3: Wear comfortable shoes.
You’ll be doing a lot of walking on gameday, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes. You don’t want to be blisters by the end of the game.
Tip 4: Stay hydrated.
It’s important to stay hydrated, especially on hot gamedays. Bring a water bottle or buy one at the stadium. You can also find free water stations located throughout the stadium.
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By following these tips, you can make sure that you have a great time at your next UCF Knights football game.
Now that you know all about the UCF Knights’ 2024 football schedule and how to make the most of your gameday experience, it’s time to start planning your trip to Orlando.
Conclusion
The UCF Knights’ 2024 football schedule is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in program history. The Knights will face a challenging slate of opponents, including six Power Five teams and three of their biggest rivals. They will also have the opportunity to play five of their games on national television.
The Knights have a lot of talent returning in 2024, including quarterback Mikey Keene and running back RJ Harvey. They also have a new head coach in Kenny Dillingham, who is known for his innovative offensive schemes. The Knights are confident that they can compete with anyone on their schedule in 2024.
The Knights’ fans are excited about the 2024 season. They know that the Knights have the potential to be one of the best teams in the country. The Knights are looking forward to packing Spectrum Stadium and cheering on their team to victory.
Closing Message:
The 2024 UCF football season is sure to be one to remember. The Knights have a challenging schedule, but they have the talent and experience to compete with anyone. The Knights are excited about the opportunity to make a statement in 2024 and show the country that they are one of the best teams in the nation.