[2] In their first season as part of the Big 12, the Knights jumped out to a 3–0 start, including a last-second victory at Boise State.

However, quarterback John Rhys Plumlee suffered an ankle injury in the final minute of the Boise State game, which would sideline him for a month.

Redshirt sophomore Timmy McClain took over at quarterback as the Knights entered the conference portion of their schedule.

Of the four newcomers that joined the Big 12 for 2023 (BYU, Cincinnati, and Houston being the others), UCF finished with the best record, and was the only one bowl-eligible.

The 2023 UCF spring exhibition game was played on Friday April 14 at FBC Mortgage Stadium.

[24] UCF successfully petitioned for a first-year, one-time waiver to count their game at Boise State as their Power Five non-conference opponent, taking into account Boise State's recent successes and status as a top Group of Five team.

Colton Boomer kicked a 40-yard game-winning field goal as time expired to lift the Knights over the Boise State Broncos by the score of 18–16.

Late in the game, quarterback John Rhys Plumlee suffered a leg injury which will require him to miss multiple weeks.

Ten penalties for 80 yards on UCF, two turnovers in Wildcats territory, plus a lopsided time of possession were factors in the loss.

On the first play from scrimmage, Johnny Richardson broke free for a 79-yard touchdown run, and after two more quick scores, UCF jumped out to an early 21–0 lead.

Colton Boomer's 59-yard field goal attempt fell no good as time expired, and Baylor escaped with the victory.

John Rhys Plumlee, back in the starting lineup, drove the Knights 75 yards in 9 plays.

On 4th & 10 at the Oklahoma 12, Plumee found Javon Baker for a 12-yard touchdown pass, trimming the deficit to 31–29 with 1:16 left in regulation.

Quarterback John Rhys Plumlee threw three interceptions and lost a fumble, as the Mountaineers won 41–28.

West Virginia put up 286 yards rushing, and quarterback Garrett Greene ran for three touchdowns.

Emory Jones then drove the Bearcats 75 yards in five plays for a touchdown, making the score 28–26 with 1:27 left.

Jones' two-point conversion pass was tipped and fell incomplete, and the Knights held on to win 28–26.

The UCF defense held Cowboys running back Ollie Gordon II (the nation's leading rusher) to only 25 yards, and forced four turnovers.

Ollie Gordon then fumbled in Knights territory, which led to a 7-yard touchdown pass from John Rhys Plumlee to Kobe Hudson.

Braeden Marshall picked off Alan Bowman's deflected pass, which led to a Knights field goal early in the second quarter.

John Rhys Plumlee found Javon Baker wide open for a 71-yard touchdown pass.

But Colton Boomer's game-tying extra point attempt was blocked and sailed wide left.

The UCF offense put up 476 total yards, but the kicking game struggled for the second week in a row.

John Rhys Plumlee threw touchdown passes to Javon Baker and Kobe Hudson.