Going into the 2025 season, UCF's situation was filled with questions that could only be answered by seeing the Knights on the field. With new Head Coach Scott Frost making his return to Orlando and 69 new transfers/signees joining the fray, anticipation was high... however most people's expectations were not.
According to Sports Illustrated's Big 12 Power Rankings, UCF began the year as the worst team in the Big 12 (16/16).
After squeaking by Jacksonville State in week one, the Knights remained the worst ranked team on the list. However, following the Knights' last two wins, including a statement win over Bill Belichick's North Carolina Tar Heels, UCF has jumped five spots - leapfrogging both Cincinnati and the team's next opponent, Kansas State.
Kansas State came into the season with very different hopes and expectations than UCF. The Wildcats returned the potent backfield pair of junior quarterback Avery Johnson and junior running back Dylan Edwards, both of whom were listed on the Maxwell Award Preseason Watch List. The Maxwell Award is presented to the most outstanding offensive player in the country.
Going into the season, Kansas State was ranked the No. 17 team in the country, according to the AP Poll.
However, the Wildcats season has gotten off to a shaky start. In their first game of the season, Kansas State traveled all the way to Dublin, Ireland to take on No. 22 Iowa State.
Unfortunately, Edwards suffered a left ankle sprain after a muffed punt on his first touch of the season. The Wildcats were unable to bounce back, losing 24-21. Edwards remained sidelined for the next two weeks, as Kansas State narrowly defeated North Dakota, before dropping a home game to Army 24-21.
Edwards was cleared to return for the Wildcats showdown against Arizona, but suffered a setback early on into the game, limiting him to just four carries for 13 yards. Once again, Kansas State fell, losing 23-17. Now, at 1-3, Kansas State is ranked the second-worst team in the conference (15/16).
In his press conference this past Monday, Klieman said Edwards was "50/50" going into the Wildacts' week 3 showdown against Arizona, but is confident he has made significant progress since then. Klieman says he hopes to have Edwards at "full-speed" against UCF this Saturday.
The Knights have also dealt with turmoil over the past two weeks, as they try to move past the unexpected passing of Offensive Line Coach Shawn Clark. Clark, who had been hospitalized on Sept. 9, died this past Sunday evening at the age of 50.
"This team is starting to develop a real love for each other," Frost said. "I think they feel that way about the coaching staff, and Coach Clark was probably at the top of that list."
Coach Frost told the media that his team is dealing with the loss in the right ways, charging on, and continuing to play hard for their coach.
As UCF looks to continue its winning ways, Kansas State looks to turn the tide of its season, and return to the team that people anticipated going into the season. This will be the third time the two programs match-up, with Kansas State getting the better of UCF in the previous two meetings.
UCF will look to get its first-ever victory over the Wildcats on Saturday, Sept. 27, at noon.