UCF vs. BYU Will Be Highest-Ranked Home Matchup in Program History

As UCF enters a much-needed bye week, the team must prepare for the toughest matchup on the Knights' schedule, with No. 2 BYU coming to town.

The Cougars are coming off one of their biggest wins in program history last weekend, knocking off then-ranked No. 2 Notre Dame and jumping to their highest AP Ranking in over 40 years.

For UCF, this matchup will be the highest-ranked opponent the Knights have ever faced at home, leapfrogging the No. 6 Texas Longhorns from 2007.

Over the weekend, it was announced that the game will be held at 3:30 p.m. from the Bounce House, and nationally televised via FOX.

The game also signifies UCF's homecoming, and should draw a huge crowd as the Knights try to pick up a marquee win.

Head coach Scott Frost is hoping that starting quarterback Alonza Barnett III will be healthy by that time, as he continues to recover from a rib injury.

Backup quarterback Keyone Jenkins has filled in nicely, but getting Barnett back would add a different element of deep passing to the offensive attack.

BYU is a very well-balanced offensive unit, with sophomore quarterback Bear Bachmeier leading the attack.

Against the Irish, Bachmeier ran for two touchdowns, throwing one, and far-outplaying projected first rounder CJ Carr.

The Cougars' rushing attack has been very strong as well, averaging over 200 yards per game on the ground.

Senior tailback LJ Martin, who had gotten off to one of the best starts to the season at his position, unfortunately suffered an injury, keeping him sidelined for the UCF matchup.

While this is a lucky break for the Knights, BYU's rushing attack still mustered over 120 yards and four yards per carry against Notre Dame without Martin.

UCF linebacker Lewis Carter is another player hoping to be back by the end of the bye week, as defensive coordinator Alex Grinch will need one of his top tacklers available.

Carter had a strong start to the year alongside transfer linebacker Tackett Curtis, but has been sidelined throughout the Knights' brutal stretch of ranked matchups.

Cole Kozlowski was also added to the mix, returning to action after being finally granted an official fifth year of eligibility.

But, having Kozlowski behind Carter and Curtis will allow him to get back up to speed and acclimated after time away in the early season.

This bye week comes at a great time for UCF, who despite tough losses, is still in contention for a bowl game and could shock the world against BYU.