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UCF Knights football 2023 schedule
Check out the UCF football schedule for 2023, the Knights' inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference.
ORLANDO, Fla. - UCF football's transition into the Big 12 has taken a significant step forward as the conference announced its scheduling matrix for the next several years.
The Big 12 Conference will compete as a 16-team conference for the first time in 2024 as new programs, including soon-to-be former PAC-12 teams Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah. UCF is among the recent wave of schools who made the jump to the Big 12, alongside BYU, Cincinnati and Houston.
"As we look towards the future of this Conference, we are thrilled to introduce the first football scheduling matrix for the new-look Big 12," Commissioner Brett Yormark said in a press release. "I’m grateful to our membership for their support throughout the scheduling process. In this model, competitive balance and student-athlete wellness was prioritized. Rivalries will be protected and new matchups will be introduced – the excitement and parity this Conference is known for will continue for years to come."
The Big 12 said between 2024 and 2027, all teams will play each other at least once home and away. Some matchups will happen over three seasons, while others take place in all four.
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UCF kicks off inaugural Big 12 season
UCF Football opens the 2023 season, its inaugural season in the Big 12 Conference, hosting Kent State.
It should be noted that UCF does not have a permanent rival yet in the Big 12. The Knights are not scheduled to play annual matchups against a consistent opponent. UCF is slated to face Cincinnati, BYU, Colorado and West Virginia three out of the four next years. The latter just delivered a loss to the Knights over the weekend, 41-28.
All 16 teams' scheduled were balanced using metrics like travel by distance, time zones and connectivity to rivalries.
Dates will be announced at a later time.
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Announcement of the scheduling matrix comes as the Knights remain winless in the Big 12 heading into Week 9. UCF is scheduled to make the trip to Cincinnati to face the former American Athletic Conference foes, who also remain winless as new members of the Big 12.
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Here's a look at UCF's Big 12 slate through 2027:
UCF's Big 12 football slate through 2027
2024 home games
- Arizona
- BYU
- Cincinnati
- Colorado
- Utah
2024 away games
- Arizona State
- Iowa State
- TCU
- West Virginia
2025 home games
- Houston
- Kansas
- Oklahoma State
- West Virginia
2025 away games
- Baylor
- BYU
- Cincinnati
- Texas Tech
- Kansas State
2026 home games
- Arizona State
- Baylor
- BYU
- Iowa State
- TCU
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2026 away games
- Colorado
- Houston
- Kansas
- Oklahoma State
2027 home games
- Cincinnati
- Colorado
- Kansas State
- Texas Tech
2027 away games
- Arizona
- Baylor
- Iowa State
- Utah
- West Virginia
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