Week 6: SMU at UCF

Both teams find themselves reeling heading into this encounter, especially Central Florida, the defending league champion. The Knights, who have lost three straight, self-destructed on the road against UTEP, turning the ball over six times and having a punt blocked. The six turnovers led to 24 points.

SMU has been a work in progress from the start of the season, struggling to grasp June Jones' run-and-shoot offense without the necessary personnel. The Mustangs rank 11th in total offense in C-USA with an average of 312.6 yards per game. Its pass offense has been respectable in terms of yardage (276.6 ypg), but freshman quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell has thrown as many interceptions (12) as touchdowns (12).

And while the Mustangs have attempted to adapt to a new offense, their defense hasn't offered any support. SMU ranks last in the league in scoring defense, pass defense, rush defense and total defense. SMU allows 519.2 yards per game . . . PER GAME! Yes, that's last among 119 Football Bowl Subdivision teams.

What should make this an even matchup on paper is UCF's anemic offense. The Knights average 15.2 points per game and rank last in the league in total offense (283 ypg). Freshman Rob Calabrese started for the Knights, his first career start, and completed 13-of-31 passes for 167 yards. He also rushed 11 times for 86 yards.

Notes:

SMU junior Emmanuel Sanders and sophomore Aldrick Robinson each had more than 100 receiving yards against Tulane. It marked the second time this season the duo had topped 100 receiving yards.

UCF senior cornerback Joe Burnett had a fourth-quarter interception against UTEP. It was the 13th of his career, tying him with Keith Evans (1986-88) for the school record. Burnett's total ranks fifth on the C-USA career list.

SMU freshman quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell tossed three touchdown passes against Tulane. It was the third game Mitchell had passed for three or more touchdowns in a game. He finished 21-of-44 for 256 yards.

Through four games the Knights are averaging 150.5 yards rushing per game. Last year, UCF running back Kevin Smith averaged 183.4 yards per game, leaving after the season to enter the NFL Draft.

Key player (Mustangs) — Bo Levi Mitchell, QB

Mitchell, a true freshman, is enduring a difficult introduction to college football. Not only has he been thrust into the starting role, but he's having to learn, along with his teammates, a new system. When he's on, SMU can be high-scoring. When he's off, he's getting no help from his defense. The past two weeks, the Mustangs have been outscored 91-14.

Key player (Knights) — Kamar Aiken, WR

Aiken, a sophomore, returned from a foot injury that had sidelined him since the beginning of the season and caught five passes for 58 yards and a touchdown against UTEP. Last season he established school freshman receiving records for catches (33), yards (584) and touchdowns (5). His return could reboot a struggling offense.

UCF by 10