Thursday, Orlando Florida, 7:30pm EST, ESPN

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THE MATCHUP
• This will be the second straight campaign ESPN will visit UCF's campus for its primary Thursday-night game (UCF topped Rutgers, 41-17, a year ago).
• UCF and BYU tangled for the first time in 2011, resulting in a 24-17 Friday-night win for the Cougars on their home field.
• In that meeting, UCF held a 10-3 halftime lead, and BYU broke a 17-17 fourth-quarter tie with 10:29 to go for the final margin.
• Jeff Godfrey threw for 272 yards, while Blake Bortles was 4-for-5 off the bench. A.J. Guyton racked up 163 receiving yards.
• The Knights are 0-2 vs. teams from the Beehive State (lost to Utah State in 2001).
• Off to a 4-1 start in 2014, BYU has wins over UConn, Texas, Houston and Virginia before falling to Utah State Oct. 3. This will be its third game against the American Athletic Conference.
• Senior QB Christian Stewart takes over after starting QB and leading rusher Taysom Hill suffered an injury vs. USU. Stewart went 10-for-29 with 172 yards and three picks against the Aggies.
• BYU has scored 34.0 points per game, with 215.0 rushing and 229.4 passing yards per outing.
• The Cougars are averaging just over 10 penalties a game, and are minus-2 in turnovers.
• BYU has posted 10 sacks, but has given up 15.

FINALLY ANOTHER HOME GAME
• This will be just the second true home game for UCF this season. Entering this week, the Knights and Eastern Michigan are the only two schools in the country which have not played at least two home games in their own stadium (EMU plays its second home contest on Saturday).
• By comparison, 28 schools have already played at least four home games (highlighted by eight from the Big Ten, five from the SEC, four from the ACC and three from the AAC). That includes FIU and Virginia which have played five.

HEART STILL RACING
• UCF posted yet another heart-pounding victory in its 17-12 win at Houston, sealing it up when Brandon Alexander forced a fumble at the goal line with 24 seconds remaining.
• Seven of UCF's last nine conference victories have come by seven points or less, and six of them were by five points or less.

CONFERENCE DOMINANCE
• Since the American Athletic Conference's first year in 2013, the Knights are 9-0 all-time in league play.
• In its last 10 regular-season conference games dating back to C-USA in 2012, UCF is a perfect 10-0.

LOVING THURSDAYS
• UCF sports a 7-3 all-time record on Thursdays, including winning five in a row dating back to 2012.
• Among non-Saturday games, the Knights have the most wins on Friday (11-5).

TOUGH COMPETITION
• UCF is a combined 4-3 in its last seven games vs. teams currently from the SEC, ACC, Big Ten or Big 12.

Does anyone know what to expect from BYU QB Christian Stewart? That seems to be the big X Factor. He can't be as good as Taysom Hill or he would have been the starter, but if he is a serviceable QB their offense still might be able to beat UCF.

Could very well be a better game than Indi @ Houston.

BYU by 7

I'll be watching and pulling for UCF.

Doesn't the NFL play too?

Aww yeah. I'm excited for this one!

Good luck Knights, GO AAC!!!

You forgot...

QB CONTROVERSIES
O'Leary said in his last press conference that QB Nick Patti might see playing time if Holman struggles. Holman completed 6 of 18 against Houston. QB still remains a huge issue. Patti is a Boise State transfer, needed time to get used to our offensive scheme and playbook.

Gol didn't rule out burning Tyler Harris's redshirt either. I think what you are seeing now is the inconsistency the coaches saw


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(10-08-2014 11:37 PM)Knightbengal Wrote:  Gol didn't rule out burning Tyler Harris's redshirt either. I think what you are seeing now is the inconsistency the coaches saw


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He says that, but I highly doubt he goes that far unless there is an implosion at the QB position.

(10-09-2014 12:05 AM)MedKnight Wrote:  

(10-08-2014 11:37 PM)Knightbengal Wrote:  Gol didn't rule out burning Tyler Harris's redshirt either. I think what you are seeing now is the inconsistency the coaches saw


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He says that, but I highly doubt he goes that far unless there is an implosion at the QB position.

I think that is what he is expecting


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GO UCF, beat BYU!

Excited for this game! Beer's been on ice since 1700 hrs. yesterday evening & the steaks have been marinating since then as well! Tonight, I'm a Knights Fan! GO UCF! What's the line on the game, and what's the expected attendance?

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(10-09-2014 07:26 AM)ENCPir87769 Wrote:  Excited for this game! Beer's been on ice since 1700 hrs. yesterday evening & the steaks have been marinating since then as well! Tonight, I'm a Knights Fan! GO UCF! What's the line on the game, and what's the expected attendance?

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it should be close to a sell out if walk up tickets are strong. Hopefully the students can overflow the rest.

Last I checked UCF was slightly favored

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(10-09-2014 07:26 AM)ENCPir87769 Wrote:  Excited for this game! Beer's been on ice since 1700 hrs. yesterday evening & the steaks have been marinating since then as well! Tonight, I'm a Knights Fan! GO UCF! What's the line on the game, and what's the expected attendance?

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Ucf is running about 3 -4 point favorite. Attendance will be awful considering what we have done the last 6-7 home games. They priced tickets at a major premium for BYU. Running like $55-$65 to sit close to the endzone

I think BYU is a in a tough spot. There is going to a lot of pressure to save the season when it feels like it all came unraveled in one weekend vs Utah St. I think UCF will frustrate the cougars and the loss to Utah St will beat BYU again.

(10-09-2014 07:42 AM)FrancisDrake Wrote:  I think BYU is a in a tough spot. There is going to a lot of pressure to save the season when it feels like it all came unraveled in one weekend vs Utah St. I think UCF will frustrate the cougars and the loss to Utah St will beat BYU again.

Thanks for the info, Kruciff & Knighttime!

And FD, I can see the scenario you offered coming to fruition. Also, add in a short week with the time zone travel factor for BYU as well. I'm ready to see UCF open a can on them!

I'm not even going to TRY to handicap this game, more of a "pick 'em" fan here, but I think UCF pulls out the win.

Get a big win for the conference let's go Knights!

If our Oline gives Holman/Pati time to throw our receivers are going to have huge games. BYU has the slowest secondary I have seen all year which is a bad matchup for the cougars versus 5 very good receivers