GAME OF THE WEEK

UCF Knights vs. No. 6 Oklahoma Sooners When — 12 p.m. Where — Memorial Stadium TV — ABC

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Oklahoma is well positioned to reach the Big 12 title game after defeating previously unbeaten Texas two weeks ago. A much-improved defense has helped the Sooners climb into the College Football Playoff conversation. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel is a strong Heisman candidate after an electric start to the season, and he wants to perform well against UCF, the school he transferred from two seasons ago. A loss here derails much of the progress Oklahoma has made during coach Brent Venables' second year and costs Gabriel dearly. New Big 12 member UCF seeks its first league win.

KEY MATCHUP

UCF run game vs. Oklahoma defensive front. The Knights rank third nationally with 246.3 yards rushing per game. R.J. Harvey leads the way with 511 yards and six touchdowns on the ground this season. Johnny Richardson has rushed for 441 yards and averages 8.3 yards per carry. Oklahoma allows just 113.7 yards rushing per contest.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

UCF: QB John Rhys Plumlee. He's set to return after missing most of the last month with a leg injury. He's a dual threat and averages 8.6 yards per carry. It will be worth watching how mobile he is against an Oklahoma defense that ranks third nationally in tackles for loss per game.

Oklahoma: WR Nic Anderson. The 6-foot-4 freshman has six touchdown receptions on just 11 catches and averages 25.6 yards per catch. He could get more targets now that Andrel Anthony, the team leader in yards receiving, is out for the season with a leg injury.