The University of Central Florida Knights (5-1, 2-0 AAC), the American Athletic Conference’s top rushing offense, are on the road to take on the East Carolina University Pirates (4-3, 2-2 AAC), one of the conference’s softest ground defenses, at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium on Saturday. The Knights are five-point favorites, and the total is 64.UCF is coming off an impressive 70-13 win over Temple at FBC Mortgage Stadium last Thursday, their fourth straight victory. John Rhys Plumlee was 18 of 22 for 373 yards and four touchdowns. Thomas Castellanos ran three times for 88 yards and a touchdown. Kobe Hudson caught four passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns. East Carolina beat Memphis 47-45 at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium last Saturday. Holton Ahlers threw for 304 yards and a touchdown. Keaton Mitchell carried 29 times for 149 yards and three touchdowns. Isaiah Winstead added a touchdown of his own. He hauled in nine receptions for 154 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Knights won the only game between the teams last season, a 20-16 victory in October, their fifth straight win against East Carolina. Johnny Richardson had a rushing touchdown for UCF.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Knights are averaging 41.3 points per game for the season, 13th in FBS, and they are facing a Pirates defense that has surrendered 24.6 PPG (56th). Meanwhile, East Carolina has scored 33.1 points a game this season, 45th in the nation, and UCF is allowing 14.3 PPG (7th). The Knights rank as one of the nation’s top teams in rushing yards per game (261.2, 4th), while they are 49th in passing yards (264.0). The Pirates are 117th in passing yards allowed per game (278.3) and 23rd against the run (109.9).East Carolina has been one of the country’s top passing teams, averaging 310.0 passing yards per game (18th), while ranking 58th in rushing yards (164.7). The Knights are allowing 212.7 passing yards (44th) and 126.5 rushing yards per game (44th).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through six games, John Rhys Plumlee has thrown for 11 touchdowns (3 INT) and 252.7 yards per game to lead UCF in passing. In one previous away game this season, he had one TD (1 INT) and 339 yards passing. John Rhys Plumlee also leads the team in rushing with an average of 78.0 yards per game. He has seven touchdowns on the ground. Javon Baker is the Knights’ leading receiver with 67.2 yards a game and two TDs. Holton Ahlers has 17 passing touchdowns (5 INT) with 304.4 yards per game through seven games to lead East Carolina. In five home games this season, he has thrown for 10 TDs (3 INT) and an average of 275.6 yards. Keaton Mitchell has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 95.8 yards a game through six games. He has six touchdowns. Isaiah Winstead has been a star in the Pirates’ aerial attack. He has three touchdowns and a 102.0 yard per game average through seven appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
UCF (-200)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
