College GameDay crew make final predictions for BYU-UCF

ORLANDO, Fla. — One week after College GameDay paid a visit to Provo, BYU football is in the thick of the national conversation.

Among the games on the “Saturday Selections” portion of GameDay was No. 2 BYU’s road battle against UCF today in the Bounce House.

ESPN’s College GameDay was one location at BYU’s rival, the University of Utah, on Saturday, in preparation for the top-15 Big 12 showdown between the Utes and the Houston Cougars.

College GameDay picks for No. 2 BYU at UCF. pic.twitter.com/9c4pKHd9Qe

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) October 24, 2026

The celebrity guest picker on GameDay was former Utah star and current Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid.

“For me, in Provo last week, the DNA of this (BYU) team seems like they have it together. I know they will be challenged by UCF today, but I’m going with BYU,” said Nick Saban.

“How could you not go with BYU? … The BYU Cougars are mature enough to handle it,” said Pat McAfee.

While most of the College GameDay crew picked BYU, guest picker Dalton Kincaid did not.

Kincaid followed McAfee in his pick and said he doesn’t think BYU is mature enough to avoid the letdown at UCF. “They’re coming off an emotional win last week, and UCF has a homecoming game; I think they pull it out today.”

Kirk Herbstreit then closed out. He noted that last week BYU great Steve Young picked Utah to beat Colorado, helping him earn a perfect 10-0 record.

Herbstreit said UCF QB Keyone Jenkins is the “key in this game” but highlighted Bear Bachmeier’s 18-2 record as a starting quarterback. That led to Herbie picking BYU to take down the Knights.

College GameDay picks for BYU-UCF:

• Desmond Howard: BYU
• Nick Saban: BYU
• Pat McAfee: BYU
• Dalton Kincaid: UCF
• Kirk Herbstreit: BYU

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSL and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.

Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.

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