Where: Bright House Networks Stadium
TV: Fox Sports Net
Weather: 66 degrees, 0% rain chance
Online: OrlandoSentinel.com/sports/blogs/knights-notepad, @osknights or #osucf
Quick slant: It’s simple for UCF: A win and the Knights lock up the C-USA East division and a spot in the conference championship game against Tulsa next week. A loss would be disastrous for a team that was favored for the title before the season.
About UCF: The Knights must get back on track offensively after two subpar weeks. It starts up front with the offensive line play as they look to get RB Latavius Murray going again after his streak of four straight 100-yard rushing games was snapped.
About UAB: The Blazers had won two straight games before last week, when they were blown out at home by Memphis. RB Darrin Reaves (1,216 total yards, 13 TDs) is the biggest all-around threat on offense.
What to watch
1. Run the football. It will be critical that UCF is again getting push up front and opening holes for Murray. How well they do that early will speak volumes to where the offense stands.
2. Don’t give up the big play. The easiest way to let a team stick in a game with upset hopes is the big play, turnovers or long scores. UCF’s defense has not often been prone to giving up big yardage, and the offense must protect the ball.
3. Step on the gas. It is important for UCF to regain its confidence before heading back to Tulsa, and that means capitalizing on every opportunity. A dominant win could be crucial in providing some momentum for the C-USA championship.
E-mail Paul Tenorio at ptenorio@orlandosentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @OSKnights.
