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(AP) - Houston (7-1, 4-0 American Athletic Conference) at No. 19 UCF (6-1, 3-0) 7 p.m. (ESPN2)
Line: UCF by 10 1/2.
Series record: UCF leads 3-1.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
The lone unbeaten teams left in the American, Saturday's winner will take over sole possession of first place in the race for the race for the league's automatic berth in the BCS. The 19th-ranked Knights have their highest ranking in school history and can match the best start in program history with a win. The Cougars are trying to win their third straight since a one-point loss to BYU.
KEY MATCHUP
UCF defense vs. Houston offense. The Cougars lead the AAC, averaging 41.1 points per game and are also the only FBS team that has scored in every quarter this year. The Knights rank third in the conference in scoring defense, allowing 19.3 points and will look to put pressure on Houston freshman QB John O'Korn.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Houston: O'Korn isn't playing much like a freshman, completing 65.2 percent of his passes for 2,121 yards and 22 TDs, with four INTs. The 22 TD passes leads all FBS true freshmen. DBs Adrian McDonald and Trevon Stewart will also be key with three INTs apiece, accounting for six of the Cougars' FBS-best 29 takeaways.
UCF: RB Storm Johnson has a rushing TD in six of seven games to give him nine for the season. He also has three receiving TDs, ranking him ninth in the FBS in scoring. Defensively LB Terrance Plummer has been everywhere for the Knights, leading the team with 60 tackles. He's also tied for team lead with two INTs, and has two sacks.
FACTS & FIGURES
The Knights are ranked No. 21 in this week's Bowl Championship Series standings. ...The Knights are looking to become the first team in school history to post at least 20 points in their first eight games. ... Three of the Knights' four meetings with the Cougars have been decided by seven points or less, however UCF and Houston have not met since 2010. ...Houston has posted at least 22 points in all eight contests. ... The Cougars have turned the ball over only nine times to rank first in the nation in turnover margin.
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