No. 22 UCF (7-2, 4-1 American Athletic Conference, No. 22 CFP) at No. 16 Tulane (8-1, 5-0, No. 17 CFP), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. EST (ESPN)
FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK COLLEGE LINE: Tulane by 1 1/2
Series record: UCF leads 9-2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Both teams are trying to remain in the national rankings and in contention for the American Athletic Conference championship. The winner takes over first place in the conference as the regular season nears its end.
KEY MATCHUP
UCF’s conference-leading offense against Tulane’s league-leading defense. UCF averages 501 yards per game and Tulane allows 307.3 yards per game. The Knights have gained more than 330 yards in every game this season. The Green Wave has allowed 380 yards just three times this season. UCF is scoring 35.7 points per game. Tulane is allowing just 16.9 points per game.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
UCF: RB RJ Harvey is averaging 7.4 yards per carry this season. He’s part of a three-pronged rushing attack that also includes QB John Rhys Plumlee and RB Isaiah Bowser, who combined have gained more than 1,500 yards on the ground.
Tulane: RB Tyjae Spears has averaged nearly 6 yards per carry and has scored 10 touchdowns, including one that spanned 75 yards. He also has 15 receptions for 205 yards and a score.
FACTS & FIGURES
The game will mark the first time Tulane has hosted a game between two teams ranked in the AP Top 25 since 1949, when the No. 10 Green Wave hosted 13th-ranked LSU. … UCF’s red zone defense ranks No 1 nationally. The Knights have allowed touchdowns on just 12 of 36 drives inside their own 20-yard line. … UCF has gained more than 600 net yards in three games this season, with a high of 737 against Temple. … UCF has won the past four meetings, while Tulane is 3-2 all time against UCF in New Orleans. … UCF’s Bowser has an AAC-leading 11 TDs rushing this season. … Tulane went 2-10 in 2021. … The Green Wave has won five straight. … Tulane held opponents to 13 or fewer points five times. … Tulane QB Michael Pratt has completed 66.7% of his passes for 1,843 yards and 14 TDs vs. four interceptions.
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