Former AAC Foes UCF, Cincinnati Resume Rivalry In Big 12

UCF (3-5, 0-5 Big 12) at Cincinnati (2-6, 0-5), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (FS1)

Line: Cincinnati favored by 4 1/2, in keeping with FanDuel Sportsbook.

Series file: Tied 4-4

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

UCF and Cincinnati rapidly developed a heated rivalry whereas members of the American Athletic Conference. The two colleges bolted the AAC in July and now will resume that rivalry as the brand new bloods within the Big 12 Conference. While each packages loved profitable runs of their former convention, they’ve but to earn a win in Big 12 play. That will change when each groups take their 0-5 convention file into Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium, the place the Bearcats are 3-1 all-time in opposition to the Knights. UCF final gained at Cincinnati in 2017.

KEY MATCHUP

While Cincinnati has had its struggles offensively this season underneath first-year coach and offensive playcaller Scott Satterfield, the Bearcats have been dominant within the run sport. They enter with the sixth-best dashing assault within the FBS, averaging practically 223 yards per sport. Cincinnati will face a Knights protection that’s permitting greater than 207 yards on the bottom per contest. That ranks 126th within the FBS. The Bearcats outgained Baylor 288-80 on the bottom at residence on Oct. 21 however misplaced 32-29.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

UCF: RB RJ Harvey leads UCF’s fourth-ranked run sport, totaling 712 yards on 126 carries with six touchdowns. Harvey has rushed for 100-plus yards in every of his final three video games. The senior racked up 84 yards and two scores in a 25-21 win in opposition to the Bearcats final season. He led a backfield that racked up 258 dashing yards on the Cincinnati protection.

Cincinnati: Ryan Montgomery is scheduled to return for the Bearcats after lacking the final 4 video games with an harm. The senior operating again and return specialist seems to offer a spark to a reeling Cincinnati squad that has misplaced six straight. Montgomery ran for 95 yards on eight carries in opposition to the Knights in 2021.

FACTS & FIGURES

UCF ranks sixth within the FBS and leads the Big 12 in whole offense, averaging 495 yards per sport. … Cincinnati has rushed for 200 or extra yards six occasions and UCF has finished it 5 occasions. … UCF leads the Big 12 and ranks twelfth nationally in passing yards per completion (14.49). … The Knights protection leads the Big 12 in fewest passing yards allowed per sport (194.6). … Both UCF (121) and Cincinnati (102) rank towards the underside of the FBS in turnover margin. … UCF is changing 49.5% of its third-down makes an attempt, which ranks eleventh within the FBS and second within the Big 12. … A workforce has scored at the least 50 factors 3 times in eight all-time conferences. … Satterfield’s Louisville squad defeated UCF in 2021 and 2022.

___

Get alerts on the most recent AP Top 25 ballot all through the season. Sign up right here ___

AP school soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is revealed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)