Central Florida @ South Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 26, 2015 ) South Florida 44, Central Florida 3

South Florida can set a school record for wins in a season and give itself a chance at a berth in the American Athletic Conference championship game with a victory over visiting rival Central Florida on Saturday. The Bulls would reach the AAC title game with a win and a Temple loss to East Carolina on Saturday, after equaling their wins record last week with a 35-27 triumph at SMU.

“I really want it for those (seniors),” fourth-year USF coach Willie Taggart told reporters. “Those guys believed in me and our vision when I came here and asked those guys to come be part of the Bulls. … They wanted to turn USF football around and they’re doing it.” USF’s high-powered offense, which has produced at least 30 points in 15 consecutive games led by quarterback Quinton Flowers and running back Marlon Mack, faces a talented UCF defense. The Knights are tied for eighth in the nation in red-zone defense, tied for 11th in interceptions (15) and tied for 14th in sacks (34) while sitting 35th in total defense. UCF dropped a 35-20 decision to Tulsa last week after consecutive victories over Tulane and Cincinnati clinched bowl eligibility under first-year coach Scott Frost, following a 0-12 season in 2015.

TV: Noon ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: South Florida --10

ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA (6-5, 4-3 AAC): Linebackers Mark Rucker (81) and Shaquem Griffin (80), who has 11 sacks, are the leading tacklers for the Knights and defensive back Shaquill Griffin boasts team highs with four interceptions and 12 pass breakups. Offense has been a struggle at times, but freshman quarterback McKenzie Milton (57.3 completion percentage, nine TDs, five interceptions) continues to progress. UCF does not have a 500-yard rusher, but sophomore receiver Tre’Quan Smith has 47 catches (99 in two seasons) for 625 yards and three scores.

ABOUT SOUTH FLORIDA (9-2, 6-1): Flowers continues to put up huge numbers, both on the ground and through the air, passing for 2,399 yards and 22 touchdowns while running for 1,273 and 13 scores. Mack, the school’s all-time leading rusher, needs 18 yards to reach 1,000 for the third straight season and has rushed for 13 touchdowns in 2016 – at least one in all 10 games he has played. Rodney Adams is the top target with 51 catches for 677 yards to go along with 10 total touchdowns (rushing and receiving), while linebacker Auggie Sanchez tops the team with 99 tackles and six sacks.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Adams, a senior, has 16 career touchdown receptions - one shy of Andre Davis’ USF school record.

2. UCF RB Dontravious Wilson leads the team with 459 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.

3. The Bulls took last year’s contest 44-7 to snap a two-game slide and improve to 5-2 overall against the Knights in the “War on I-4.”

PREDICTION: USF 41, UCF 21