FACTS & STATS: Site: Legion Field (72,000) -- Birmingham, Alabama. Television: CSTV. Home Record: UCF 4-1, UAB 2-2. Away Record: UCF 2-2, UAB 0-5. Neutral Record: UCF 0-0, UAB 0-0. Conference Record: UCF 4-1, UAB 1-4. Series Record: UCF leads, 4-0.

GAME NOTES: A pair of teams headed in completely different directions clash at Legion Field this Saturday, as the UCF Knights take on the UAB Blazers in Conference USA play. The Knights enter the game on a roll, as they have won three consecutive outings, including a 47-13 triumph over Marshall this past weekend. With the streak of wins, UCF has improved to 6-3 overall and it now stands just a half-game back of East Carolina for first place in the East Division standings at 4-1. The Knights have split their four road outings this season, but they have lost two of their last three contests on foreign soil. As for UAB, its struggles continued this past weekend with a 37-7 setback against Southern Mississippi. It was the third straight loss by the Blazers, who dipped to 2-7 overall and an even 2-2 at home. UAB is also in the East Division of C-USA, where it is tied for last with Marshall at just 1-4. In terms of the all-time series, UCF owns a perfect 4-0 mark versus UAB, and that includes a 31-22 triumph in last season's encounter.

The Knights have enjoyed a good amount of success on offense this season, as they are averaging a hardy 36.1 ppg on the strength of 404.2 total ypg. A majority of this unit's success has come on the ground, where UCF has rushed for 219.0 yards and 27 touchdowns. Leading the way is Kevin Smith, who ranks second in the nation in rushing yards (1,448) and first in touchdowns (18). Last weekend, Smith went over the century mark for the eighth time this season, as he rushed for 188 yards and two touchdowns in a 47-13 triumph over Marshall. He scored one of his touchdowns on an 87-yard run and that set a school record. Quarterback Kyle Israel added 45 rushing yards to the mix last weekend and he also threw for 203 yards and a pair of scores. On the season, Israel has struggled some with some consistency, but he has thrown for 1,432 yards with 10 touchdowns against five interceptions. He also ranks second on the team with five rushing touchdowns.

The Knights have done a decent job on defense and they have shown a good deal of improvement since allowing 64 points in a loss to South Florida just about a month ago. The defense is limiting its opponents to 377.1 total ypg for the season and it has recorded 25 sacks to go along with 13 interceptions. Last weekend, UCF picked off three passes, while limiting Marshall to just 337 total yards in a victory. The defense was able to get into the Marshall' backfield on several occasions, and it finished the game with seven sacks. Sha'reff Rashad posted six tackles and interception in the victory and he leads the team with 68 stops and three picks for the year.

Unlike their opponent, UAB hasn't had much success moving the ball this season and it is currently averaging just 17.3 ppg behind a sub par 303.3 total ypg. The team's biggest problem has been its inability to run the ball, gaining just 104.8 ypg and two touchdowns on the ground so far. Last weekend, the Blazers were held to a dismal 244 total yards, including only 65 rushing, in a 37-7 loss to Southern Miss. Quarterback Sam Hunt paced the team in defeat by throwing for 125 yards and a touchdown on 11-of-26 pass attempts. Hunt hasn't had much success this season and he has completed only 46.3 percent of his pass attempts with nine touchdowns against 11 interceptions. Joseph Webb saw some time under center last weekend as well and he completed 6-of-11 pass attempts for 54 yards, while leading the team with 26 rushing yards. Webb hasn't played much at quarterback this season and that is because he has been utilized at the wide receiver spot. As a matter of fact, Webb leads UAB in catches (30) and yards (459) and he ranks second with three receiving touchdowns.

The Blazers have been flat out awful on defense this season, as they are giving up 33.9 ppg and 477.3 total ypg. The unit has been abused on the ground (248.7 ypg) and through the air (228.7 ypg) and it has forced just 14 turnovers thus far. Last weekend, UAB was torched by Southern Miss for 456 total yards, including a whopping 338 yards on the ground. The unit gave up 25 first downs and spent over 35 minutes of the game on the field. Joe Henderson paced the team in defeat with 15 stops, while Will Dunbar finished with 12. On the season, Dunbar is the team's leading tackler with 89 stops and Henderson is second with 76. Henderson also has a club-high 3.5 sacks to his name.

UCF is clearly the pick here and behind the explosive running of Smith, it should have no trouble getting past a slumping UAB club.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: UCF 38, UAB 17

Saturday, November 10th, 7:30 p.m. (et)