Central Florida @ Florida International preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 3, 2015 ) Florida International 15, Central Florida 14

Freshman quarterback McKenzie Milton had several promising moments in his career debut last week and is slated to get another start when UCF visits FIU on Saturday to renew their burgeoning Sunshine State rivalry. Milton fumbled six times – losing three – and was intercepted once, but threw for 260 yards and a pair of touchdowns in UCF’s 30-24 double overtime loss to Maryland.

“(Milton) can turn lemons into lemonades really quick,” Knights coach Scott Frost told reporters. “. … Some of the stuff he’s pulled off in fall camp was amazing. Now he has to learn how to dial that in. We want to take the wild out of him without taking the play-maker ability out of him.” UCF amassed 455 total yards of offense in the near-upset of Maryland and is averaging 223.7 on the ground through the first three games as they approach the final tune-up before American Athletic Conference play. “This game is huge for us,” Frost told reporters. “If we can go into conference play 2-2 coming off a win, I like where we’re going.” FIU dropped a 41-14 decision to Maryland in Week 2 before falling to Massachusetts 21-13 last Saturday and is giving up 452.3 yards per contest – 106th in the nation.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, beIN Sports. LINE: UCF –6.5

ABOUT UCF (1-2): Senior quarterback Justin Holman won the opener against South Carolina State and was injured in the Week 2 loss at Michigan, but is expected to back up Milton on Saturday. Milton has several weapons at his disposal with freshmen Jawon Hamilton and Adrian Killins, along with senior Dontravious Wilson, all rushing for at least 147 yards and sophomore receiver Tre’Quan Smith catching 12 passes for 179 yards and a pair of scores. Senior linebacker Mark Rucker leads the UCF defense, which is giving up 416 yards per game, with 25 tackles.

ABOUT FIU (0-3): Junior quarterback Alex McGough threw for 480 yards in the first three contests, but has four interceptions without a touchdown pass. Junior running back Alex Gardner struggled with just 23 yards rushing in the opening night loss to Indiana, but has averaged 6.2 per carry with 239 yards and a pair of touchdowns over the last two weeks. Senior tight end Jonnu Smith, who is fifth in school history with 152 receptions, has caught 16 for 176 yards in 2016 and freshman receiver Stantley Thomas boasts 164 yards on 11 catches in the early going.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The teams meet for the fifth time and they have split the first four after FIU edged the Knights 15-14 in Orlando last year.

2. Preseason Conference USA selection, junior LB Anthony Wint, leads the Panthers with 32 tackles.

3. UCF has given up nine sacks in the first three games and owns a minus-5 turnover ratio – tied for last in the AAC.

PREDICTION: UCF 27, FIU 24