FACTS & STATS: Site: Dolphin Stadium (74,916) -- Miami Gardens, Florida. Television:ESPNU. Home Record: UCF 2-1, Miami 1-2. Away Record: UCF 0-2, Miami 1-1. Neutral Record: UCF 0-0, Miami 0-0. Conference Record: UCF 1-1, Miami 0-2. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: Instate foes are set to collide at Dolphin Stadium this weekend, as the UCF Knights take on the Miami-Florida Hurricane in a non-conference affair. The Knights head into this matchup on a winning note, as they defeated SMU 31-17 last weekend. The win put the breaks on a three-game slide and marked the team's first win since opening the season with a 17-0 blanking of South Carolina State. UCF however, is just 11-13 all-time against schools from the Sunshine State and it hasn't defeated an instate rival since downing Florida Atlantic in 2003. As for Miami, it was involved in a Sunshine State battle last weekend, coming up short in a 41-39 decision versus Florida State. It was the second loss in a row by the Hurricanes, who fell to 2-3 overall and just 1-2 at home. Miami owns an 8-1 all-time record versus Conference USA, but this will be the first-ever meeting against UCF on the gridiron.

The Knights have struggled some on the offensive side of the ball early on and they are currently averaging only 18.4 ppg and just 282.4 total ypg. The offense, which is gaining a solid 151.2 rushing ypg, has had issues hanging on the ball and has committed 12 turnovers already. In a win over SMU last weekend, UCF managed just 280 total yards, but 154 of those came on the ground and the team turned the ball over just once. Freshman Ronnie Weaver led the way, as he rushed for a career-best 123 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. It was certainly a positive effort for the team and Weaver, who heads the squad with 328 rushing yards for the season. Quarterbacks Michael Greco and Rob Calabrese have also played a part in the team's success on the ground, combining for 296 rushing yards thus far. The duo however, haven't had much success through the air, totaling five touchdowns against six picks. Calabrese started under center last weekend, but was removed after throwing for just 32 yards. Greco stepped in and finished the game by passing for 94 yards and a pair of important touchdowns. Neither QB has a clear cut advantage over the other, so whomever has the hot hand will likely get a majority of the playing time.

UCF's strength comes on the defensive side of the ball with an experienced unit that is limiting opponents to 362.8 total ypg. The defense has been stout versus the run (104.4 ypg), while compensating for its passing yards (258.4 ypg) allowed by picking off 10 throws. Last weekend, the Knights intercepted three passes by SMU and it also notched four sacks. The defense did give up 351 yards through the air, but on a positive note, the unit held SMU to only 25 yards on the ground. Joe Burnett turned in an all-around effort in the win, as he posted seven tackles, a fumble recovery and interception. He is now one of three players on the roster that has picked off two passes this season.

Despite gaining only 303.8 total ypg this season, the Hurricanes have been able to average a healthy 31.8 ppg. The unit has not only made the most of its opportunities, but it has also fared well in protecting the ball, committing just seven turnovers. Last weekend however, was a different story, as Miami turned the ball over three times in a 41-39 loss to rival FSU. The team managed only 256 total yards and that didn't help either. Redshirt freshman quarterback Robert Marve had a rough outing against FSU's defense, completing only 17-of-40 tosses for 122 yards and two interceptions. The inexperienced signal-caller has gone through some tough stretches as expected and for the year he has passed for 538 yards, with five touchdowns against the same amount of interceptions. Tailback Graig Cooper has tried to pick up the slack due to the lack of a passing game and he leads the team with 322 yards and three scores on the ground. Last weekend though, Cooper was held in check, toting just six times for 31 yards. He did however, lead the team with seven receptions.

Miami's defense has been solid at times this season, especially against the run, where it is allowing just 108.2 ypg. The unit though, has struggled against the pass a bit, giving up 206.2 ypg, and hasn't forced many mistakes from its opponents, creating a mere seven turnovers thus far. Four of those turnovers, however, came last weekend versus FSU, which still abused Miami's defense for 440 total yards. FSU found lots of running room against the Hurricane's stingy defense though, gaining 281 yards on the ground. Sean Spence paced the Hurricanes in defeat with 10 stops and he also returned an interception seven yards for a touchdown. He now has 21 tackles for the year and that ranks fourth on the team.

Neither team has an offense that would be deemed explosive and that could result in a low scoring contest. Miami is simply the more athletic team here and it should be able to power past UCF and avoid an 0-3 homestand with a big win this weekend.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Miami-Florida 28, UCF 10

Saturday, October 11th, 3:45 p.m. (et)