Easy schedule? USA TODAY thinks UCF football could 'recapture some magic'

[ASFN Admin]

ORLANDO — There is no easy road through a Power Four schedule, but perhaps UCF will experience fewer bumps this fall.

In a story that published Aug. 5, USA TODAY's Jordan Mendoza believes the Knights have the seventh-easiest schedule in major college football for the 2026 campaign. UCF faces two teams ranked in the Preseason Coaches Poll.

"The Knights will travel to play No. 24 Houston on Oct. 3 and then host No. 15 BYU on Oct. 24, but after that, there's no ranked opponent left," Mendoza wrote. "The road game at Pittsburgh won't be easy, but Scott Frost has a chance to recapture some magic in Orlando."

You must be registered for see images

UCF went 5-7 last year, including an 0-5 mark away from the Acrisure Bounce House. The Knights have won just seven conference games since joining the Big 12 in 2023.

Texas Tech, Kansas State and Utah are ahead of the Knights on the list, which does not feature a single team in the SEC or Big Ten. Those two leagues account for 17 of the 25 ranked teams to begin the year.

A full look at UCF's opponents can be found below:

UCF Knights football 2026 schedule​

Sept. 3: Bethune Cookman, 7 p.m.

Sept. 12: at Pittsburgh, 3:30

Sept. 19: Georgia State, 7

Sept. 26: TCU

Oct. 3: at Houston

Oct. 10: at Oklahoma State

Oct. 24: BYU

Oct. 30:Baylor, 7:30

Nov. 7: at Kansas

Nov. 14:Arizona State

Nov. 20:Iowa State, 6

Nov. 28: at Colorado

— All other kickoff times will be announced at a later date.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Easy schedule? USA TODAY thinks UCF football could 'recapture some magic'

Continue reading...