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Matchup preview

UCF vs Pittsburgh

UCF visit Pittsburgh in Week 2. The model favors Pittsburgh by 7.3. Win probability, the tale of the tape, and the all-time series, all from real data.

Win probability
33%
67%

Model win probability from SP+ ratings + home-field edge.

The read
Model analysis · September 9 · refreshed weekly

Model and market land in the same place on the top line: SP+ gives Pittsburgh a 66 percent win probability, and the consensus -7 line from two books implies the identical 66-34 split. The ratings support it, with Pittsburgh at 10.1 (32nd) against UCF at 5.9 (48th), a 4.2-point edge that translates to a projected Pittsburgh margin of 6.6, just inside the number on the board. The ProphetX exchange sits a shade richer on the favorite, pricing Pittsburgh at -240 (71 percent) versus UCF at +225 (31 percent).

The unit ranks frame where the game tilts. Pittsburgh's offense (22nd) faces a UCF defense (32nd) that is the Knights' stronger side, while UCF's offense (65th) draws a softer Pittsburgh defense (47th). Both teams enter off Week 1 routs, Pittsburgh 59-14 over Miami (OH) and UCF 73-6 over Bethune-Cookman, results that inflate confidence but say little at this level of opponent. A total of 57 reflects the offensive skew.

Season projections keep Pittsburgh ahead over the long run: 7.6 wins to UCF's 6.8, and a 9.7 percent Playoff chance against 4.8 percent. Title odds stay thin either way, Pittsburgh 0.4 percent by the model versus 0.7 percent on the market, UCF 0.1 percent. The series is even at 1-1, the last meeting a 35-34 Pittsburgh win in 2019.

Model and market agree on Pittsburgh at 66 percent, and a 4.2-rating edge backs the 6.6-point projected margin under the number.

Matchup odds
Consensus line · 3 books
Spread
PITT -7.2
Total (O/U)
55.3
Favorite
PITT
Moneyline win probability (implied from the spread)
UCF
33%

Real consensus line across 3 sportsbooks. Spread and total are the current market number; the win probabilities are implied from the spread.

Matchup odds price history
The market to win this game · daily prices, colored by the favorite
UCF1%-45 ptsvsPittsburgh99%+45 pts
0%25%50%75%100%UCF favoredPittsburgh favoredAug 28Aug 31Sep 3Sep 6Sep 9Sep 12Sep 13

Real daily prices from the market to win this game, shown as UCF's win price; Pittsburgh's is 100 minus it (the same market's other side). Above the 50% line UCF is favored, below it Pittsburgh is, and each candle takes the favored team's color. Kalshi shows open-high-low-close candles (filled body closed up, hollow closed down). As of Sep 23.

Tale of the tape
Percentile vs FBS · 2025 stats, 2026 SP+
#53SP+SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.#37
#70FPIFPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.#39
1448EloElo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.1614
-Title oddsDe-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.0.8%
UCFPittsburghsolid = better, faded = trailing
What these metrics mean
SP+. SP+: Bill Connelly's tempo- and opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, expressed in points above average.
FPI. FPI: ESPN's Football Power Index, an overall measure of team strength.
Elo. Elo: a rating that rises or falls after each game based on the result and the quality of the opponent.
Title odds. De-vigged consensus probability to win the national title, averaged across the prediction markets we track.
Off PPA. PPA (Predicted Points Added): the average point value each play adds. Higher is better for offense, lower for defense.
Success. Success rate: the share of plays that stay on schedule (roughly 50% of needed yards on 1st down, 70% on 2nd, 100% on 3rd/4th). Higher is better.
Explosive. Explosiveness: the average value of a team's successful plays, i.e. how big its good plays are when they hit.
Yards/game. Total yards gained per game.
Success allowed. How often the defense allows an on-schedule play (enough yards for the down). Lower is better.
Havoc. Havoc rate: the share of plays where the defense makes a tackle for loss, forced fumble, interception, or pass breakup.
Yards allowed. Total yards allowed per game. Lower is better.
Efficiency profile
Percentile vs FBS · 2025
Recent series
Series even 1-1
20182019
Head to head
Every meeting in our records
2019
35-34
Pittsburgh
at Pittsburgh
2018
45-14
UCF
at UCF
More Week 2 matchups
Model previews for the rest of the slate
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How do I trade the UCF vs Pittsburgh game?

Kalshi lists winner markets for college football games. Sign up with code FADE (trade $25, get up to $500), open the UCF vs Pittsburgh market when it posts, and buy YES on your side; the price in cents equals the market's implied win probability. You can sell before kickoff or settlement at the current price.

When do UCF and Pittsburgh play?

Week 2 of 2026, on Sep 12, 2026 at Pittsburgh.

Who is favored?

The model projects Pittsburgh by 7.3 (67% win probability), from SP+ ratings.

What is the all-time series?

Series even 1-1 over the meetings in our records.

Full schedule → · Both teams' playoff odds, from 10,000 simulations →

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