Win or lose, this is historic day for Knights
QUICK SLANT: UCF plays its first game in Bright House Networks Stadiumagainst the 2005 national champions. It is the first ranked foe the Knightshave faced at home since West Virginia in 2004.
ABOUT TEXAS: The Longhorns are 2-0 but weren't overwhelming in eithervictory. TCU led Texas 10-0 at halftime last week but was outscored 34-3 afterthe intermission. Junior TB Jamaal Charles posted back-to-back 100-yard games.
ABOUT UCF: The Knights are coming off a bye week but went into it on a highafter an upset of N.C. State to open the season Sept. 1. TB Kevin Smith rushedfor 217 yards on 35 carries. The passing game was off with QB Kyle Israelthrowing for just 93 yards.
THE BUZZ: This will be the fourth meeting between UCF's George O'Leary andTexas' Mack Brown, who met on three previous occasions as coaches in the ACC.Brown, who owns a 2-1 edge, was at North Carolina and O'Leary was at GeorgiaTech. The Knights have never beaten a ranked foe.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR
1. Texas run defense: The only way UCF will have a chance is if it canestablish the run game to take pressure off QB Kyle Israel. The Knights' KevinSmith is leading the nation in rushing yards per game after a 217-yard effortat N.C. State. But getting Smith room to run could prove to be hard against aTexas defense that held TCU to just 43 rushing yards in its win last week. 2.UCF TB Kevin Smith: That said, Smith is living up to his preseason talk afterposting a national-best rushing performance in the Knights' opener. He'll alsoget some help in the backfield, with sophomore Phillip Smith back aftersitting out in Week 1. Smith carried 35 times against N.C. State, more thanthe UCF coaches want on a regular basis.3. UCF's defense: The Knights showedimprovement against the Wolfpack, holding them to just three points in thefirst half. Texas strugged against Arkansas State and then was shut out in thefirst half against TCU. Can the Knights hold up in the second half? Texasbroke out for 34 points in the second half last week while UCF allowed 20 inthe second half to N.C. State.
WHO HAS THE EDGE?
UCF run offense vs. Texas run defense: One of the most intriguing matchupsof the day and the one that will probably decide the game. UCF's offensiveline is pumped after pushing Kevin Smith to a big game against N.C. State, butTexas yielded only 43 yards to a strong TCU offense. And despite losing twoplayers who combined to start 83 games, Texas returns five players withstarting experience on the defensive line that was one of the nation's best in2006. If UCF can't run the ball effectively, it's hard to imagine the offensegetting much done against a stout Texas defense EDGE: Texas.
Texas run offense vs. UCF run defense: Texas junior Jamaal Charles, a DoakWalker Award candidate, has carried the ball 49 times for 246 yards and twotouchdowns this season. Also a track standout for Texas, he's a threat tobreak a big play any time he touches the ball. He opened the season with a112-yard effort against Arkansas State and had 134 yards and a score a weeklater against TCU. The Knights' defensive front is probably the strongest partof their defense with T Keith Shologan, E Leger Douzable and E Emeka Okammor.All three played well against N.C. State but have their work cut out for themagainst an experienced Longhorns line. EDGE: Texas
Texas pass offense vs. UCF pass defense: After toiling near the bottom teamsin the nation in pass defense for most of 2006, the Knights showed somepromise in this department -- looking more like the form they showed in 2005in their turnaround march to the C-USA Eastern Division title. Junior CB JoeBurnett got an interception in the opener, albeit off a game-ending Hail Marypass. The Knights also get back the services of '06-leading tackler JohnellNeal, who sat out in Week 1 with a pulled hamstring. But neither has had todeal with many quarterbacks the likes of Texas' Colt McCoy, either. EDGE:Texas
UCF pass offense vs. Texas pass defense: Knights QB Kyle Israel struggled tofind a groove against N.C. State, passing for only 93 yards, and it won't getany easier against the fast-footed Longhorns secondary. Returning to lead apromising DB unit is Marcus Griffin, who started 10 games and was second onthe team in tackles in 2006. He opened the 2007 season with 10 tackles againstArkansas State. He is joined by senior CB Brandon Foster, senior S ErickJackson and junior CB Ryan Palmer, who have 91 starts between them. That seemslike too much experience and talent for a young set of UCF receivers and aninconsistent quarterback to overcome. EDGE: Texas
Texas special teams vs. UCF special teams: The Knights were touch-and-go inthis department last season, especially as it dealt with the inconsistenciesof PK Michael Torres. Torres made all of his attempts last week but hasbattled a leg injury. The departure of Selvin Young (kickoff returns) andAaron Ross (punt returns) means junior Quan Cosby, who was named one of thenation's Top 10 return men by Sporting News, is handling both duties for Texasin 2007. He is averaging 24.6 yards per kickoff return and 12.0 yards per puntreturn. EDGE: Texas
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