Week 13: UTEP at UCF

Two of the league's high-profile coaches — UTEP's Mike Price and UCF's George O'Leary — match wits with one another, although they'll lead programs moving in different directions.

UTEP has encountered a second-half-of-the-season meltdown, losing five straight after looking like a lock for the postseason by opening 4-2, including an impressing win over West Division leader Tulsa.

UCF has won five straight, averaging nearly 44 points per game in the process. A win for UCF rewards O'Leary with his second division title in three seasons and atones somewhat for last year's 4-8 disaster. Should the Knights lose to UTEP and East Carolina win, the Pirates would be the division champion.

The Knights should have plenty of motivation to get the job done. UCF will be playing at home, against a struggling UTEP team, with the knowledge a victory rewards the Knights with the homefield advantage in the league title game.

Offensively, UCF will be led by Kevin Smith, as it has throughout the season. Smith, the nation's second-leading rusher at 176.8 yards per game, leads the nation with 24 rushing touchdowns. During the Knights' five-game win streak, Smith has been a leader. He has rushed for 1,031 yards and 14 touchdowns and has 1,945. With 55 yards against UTEP, he'll become the second back in the conference to surpass 2,000 yards and the first back to accomplish the feat in the state of Florida.

The defense should help, too. In last week's win over SMU, the Knights forced four turnovers, including three interceptions. Defensive back Johnell Neal returned one of the interceptions 72 yards for a touchdown. He is averaging 45 yards per return.

Overall, the Knights rank second in the conference in total defense (376.5 yards per game), second in scoring defense (38.1 points per game) and third in pass defense (227 ypg).

Price's UTEP squad may not be able to lift itself off the floor following a lopsided home loss to Southern Miss. The Miners have had a strong season from freshman quarterback Trevor Vittatoe (2,808 yards, 24 touchdowns, 5 interceptions) and are among the league's top offensive units, but defensively the Miners have suffered. They allow 507 yards per game, last in C-USA and 117th nationally, and gave up 42 second-half points in the loss to Southern Miss.

UCF by 21