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The UCF Knights were a big fish in a small pond, dominating the American Athletic Conference for half a decade, which led to their next step: transitioning to a Power Four conference.

UCF joined the Big 12 in 2023, and the instant jump in competition hit the program hard. Opponents were bigger, stronger and faster, and losing streaks became the new normal.

The Knights have had an abysmal conference record since joining the conference, sitting at 7-20 after three seasons. Listed below is how the program has fared against each team, and spoiler alert, it's not too good.

Houston Cougars, 8-4

Houston is one of the few programs that joined UCF in its transition to the Big 12, so this record accounts for previous matchups in the AAC.

The Knights have had the upper hand on the Cougars for the last several seasons. They won three straight matchups before the streak ended in 2025 during the annual Space Game.

It was a turnover-heavy fest, and the match came down to the wire with redshirt freshman quarterback Davi Belfort leading the charge. He gave his team extra life with his rushing ability but threw the game-sealing interception, which also ended UCF's undefeated streak in Space Games.

Cincinnati Bearcats, 5-6

Cincinnati is the other team that made the jump with UCF in 2023. This rivalry has crossed conferences, and the two programs have duked it out.

The Bearcats have been a nationally ranked team multiple times in the AAC, and some of their losses as a top-25 program have come to the Knights.

UCF evened the all-time series in 2023, but Cincinnati retook the lead in 2025 with one of the best offensive lines in the nation and quarterback Brendan Sorsby.

BYU Cougars, 1-4

BYU and UCF met each other in bowl games before becoming conference opponents. The last meeting as a non-conference rival was in 2020 in the Roofclaim.com Boca Raton Bowl, and the Cougars blew the Knights out 49-23.

The Cougars have become a perennial ranked team under coach Kalani Sitake, and the Knights have not been able to outduel them in any conference matchup.

West Virginia Mountaineers, 1-4

West Virginia has dominated UCF since joining the Big 12 in 2025. The Knights finally picked up their first victory in blowout fashion as the Mountaineers were undergoing a rebuild and were one of the worst teams in the conference (2-7 Big 12).

Kansas State Wildcats, 0-3

UCF has opened Big 12 play against Kansas State twice, and both times, the team lost by double digits. The Wildcats had Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Will Howard in 2023 and have a dual-threat weapon in Avery Johnson, who dissected the Knights' defense in 2025.

Baylor Bears, 1-2

The Knights' lone victory against the Bears came in 2013, upsetting the No. 6-ranked team in the nation with Blake Bortles at the helm. Bortles powered his team to score 52 points, throwing for 301 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions.

Baylor retook the series in 2025 with a blowout victory led by Big 12 passing yards leader Sawyer Robertson and his three future NFL receiving threats: tight end Michael Trigg and wide receivers Kole Wilson and Josh Cameron.

The two programs will play a Friday night game in Week 9, and it could be the most intriguing to watch, as the roster makeup of both squads is completely different.

Arizona State Sun Devils, 0-2

Arizona State saw UCF for the first time in over 20 years in 2024. These two teams faced each other in 2002, and the Sun Devils dominated the Knights 46-13.

It was a much closer matchup in 2024, as Arizona State edged out UCF, 35-31.

Kansas Jayhawks, 0-2

UCF's run defense has been its Achilles heel in matchups against Kansas. The team allowed nearly 400 yards and five touchdowns in a 51-22 loss in 2023 and three rushing touchdowns in a 27-20 loss in 2025.

Texas Tech Red Raiders, 0-2

Texas Tech pulled out a one-point victory over UCF (24-23) in 2023, as a .500 team. Then, the Red Raiders transformed into a juggernaut that makes every program's schedule an instant gauntlet if involved.

They embarrassed the Knights in a 48-9 victory in Lubbock; the largest loss of the season for coach Scott Frost in his return to the program.

Oklahoma State Cowboys, 2-0

The Knights' first victory against the Cowboys was one to remember in 2023. They thoroughly handled the No. 15-ranked team in the nation, blowing them out 45-3.

UCF added its second victory in 2025 on Senior Knight. Oklahoma State pushed its opponent, despite having the worst conference record, and defensive back Braeden Marshall caught the game-winning interception to send his seniors out with one last victory in the Acrisure Bounce House.

Utah Utes, 0-1

UCF and Utah had their first matchup in 2024, and the Utes extended the Knights' losing streak to three games, ending the season at 4-7.

Iowa State Cyclones, 0-1

The matchup between these two programs was a thrilling one. UCF almost upset the No. 9-ranked Cyclones, but quarterback Rocco Becht punched in the game-winning touchdown to prevent a massive upset.

Colorado Buffaloes, 0-1

Coach Deion Sanders and his star Buffaloes arrived in Orlando with all eyes on them. Colorado dominated UCF, 48-21, as Sheduer Sanders threw for 290 yards and three touchdowns.

Texas Christian Horned Frogs, 1-0

Big 12 play started surprisingly early for UCF in 2024, playing TCU in Week 3. The Knights pulled out a close victory, 35-34, to open the conference slate on a high note.

Arizona Wildcats, 1-0

Arizona was UCF's second and final conference victory in 2024. The Knights blew the Wildcats out 56-12, as Dylan Rizk threw for 294 yards and three touchdowns.

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