Knights open as 10.5-point favorite

No. 15 UCF opened as a 10.5-point favorite to beat rival USF Friday, according to VegasInsiders.com.

The Knights are fired up to take on the Bulls in arguably the most important showdown of their rivalry series.

The winner will clinch a spot in the American Athletic Conference title game.

For the Knights, a win also extends a perfect season and keeps them in contention for a coveted spot in the Peach Bowl.

UCF (10-0) was ranked No. 13 in the latest AP top 25 poll released Sunday, moving up one spot. USF (9-1) is No. 22. As a result, the Knights and Bulls enter their rivalry showdown ranked in the AP poll for the first time. “Can’t wait. Everyone is excited,” UCF linebacker

said of playing USF. “Obviously, this isn’t a hard game to get pumped up and hyped up for so I think we’re all just ready and we’re all going to be real focused come tomorrow on USF and be ready to go.”

Though most coaches prefer to insulate themselves from cyberspace during the season, USF offensive coordinator

clearly has caught wind of the criticism heaped on his power-based, push-the-tempo system.

USF has failed to match the record-setting numbers the Bulls put up regularly under former coach last season.

“I just think that everyone, except us in this building and on this field, forgets this is a new offense, OK?” Gilbert said. “It’s a new offense. Things are new, things are different.”

No. 15 UCF vs. USF, Friday, 3:30 p.m., ABC

Jasinski Sterlin Gilbert Next game: Pat Willie Taggart