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FACTS & STATS: Site: Legion Field (82,000) -- Birmingham, Alabama. Television: CSS. Home Record: UCF 3-0, UAB 0-2. Away Record: UCF 0-3, UAB 0-4. Neutral Record: UCF 0-0, UAB 0-0. Conference Record: UCF 1-1, UAB 0-3. Series Record: UCF leads, 7-1.

GAME NOTES: UCF is coming off its first loss on the year, while UAB is looking for its first win. The Blazers are hoping Thursday night will be there chance to break into the win column, as they welcome the Knights to Birmingham for Conference USA action.

The Knights took on SMU this past weekend in what was a replay of last year's Conference USA title game. UCF was victorious in that matchup, but this time around it was the Mustangs who reigned supreme, as they crushed UCF, 38-17. It was the third loss in four games for UCF, which is now 1-1 in conference action.

Sure, the Knights were defeated in their last matchup, but at least they have tasted victory this year. The same cannot be said for the Blazers, who have dropped their first six games of the season. The most recent setback was a 37-20 setback to Tulsa on the road. It has been a nightmare of a season for UAB, but maybe some home cooking can heal the wounds.

This is a relatively new series, but a lopsided one already, as the Knights have won seven of the eight matchups, including a 42-7 decision this past season.

The Knights have found the majority of their success on the ground this season, but there is not one main tailback leading the charge. In fact, a large portion of the damage has been created by quarterback Jeff Godfrey, who has scored eight of the team's 15 rushing touchdowns. The quarterback only has 228 rushing yards though and he trails Brynn Harvey, who is leading the team with 392 rushing yards.

Godfrey has not been as impressive with his arm though and even with his 68.1 percent completion percentage, he still comes into this game with only two scores through the air. One of those touchdowns came in the team's loss to SMU, as the signal caller finished with 231 yards on 20-of-32 passing, which was one of the best showings on the year for Godfrey.

However, Godfrey, along with the rest of the backfield was shut down by SMU, as the Knights finished with just 110 yards on 3.1 yards per carry.

Even though it was not the best game by the offense, it did not help matters that the defense was clobbered by SMU. The Knights were torched for 358 yards through the air and two touchdowns, and even though the Mustangs only tallied 82 rushing yards they averaged an impressive 5.1 yards per carry.

Clearly this was one of the worst performances put forth by this unit this year, especially when factoring in that the team allowed just 50 total points through the first five games.

UCF did manage to stop the run for the most part, but the secondary, which did not allow a touchdown through five games, finally showed some vulnerability and it cost the team a win. Opponents could begin to air it out more against UCF, especially since the team lacks the ability to create pressure. Through six games the Knights only have seven sacks, two of which are from Josh Linam, who is also pacing the team with 7.5 TFLs.

The Knights should not have much trouble bouncing back defensively considering how poorly UAB has been in terms of offensive production. The Blazers are producing a weak 13.2 ppg, and have found little success on the ground or through the air.

The rushing attack is just barely hovering over 100.0 ypg (103.7) and the best option has been Pat Shed, but he has just 223 yards on the year. The passing attack has not been much better, as Bryan Ellis and Jonathan Perry have both struggled under center.

Ellis has thrown two touchdowns on the year, but has been picked off five times, while Perry has yet to hit a target for a score and has completed less than 50.0 percent of his throws.

Both of Ellis' touchdowns came in the team's loss to Tulsa this past weekend, but the quarterback also threw two interceptions and completed less than 50.0 percent of his throws. The rushing attack did not contribute much in the contest, as the Blazers finished with just 81 yards on 3.0 yards per carry.

The offense should not take full blame for the debacle of the season, because the defense has been just as bad and at times much worse. UAB is being clobbered for 33.0 ppg and that is because the unit is unable to stop the run or the pass.

Teams are currently abusing UAB for 292.2 ypg through the air, and have averaged a ridiculous 222.8 ypg via the run, which ranks UAB 113th in the nation in that category.

Tulsa was able to find plenty of running room last Saturday, as UAB's league foe rumbled for 218 yards. However, it was the passing of the Golden Hurricane that sunk the Blazers, as they were dismantled for 341 yards and three touchdowns.

The only reason the Blazers had some life in the matchup is because the defense did force four turnovers, giving the squad 14 on the year. Jamie Bender led the way in the loss with 10 tackles, and now has a team-best 60 stops on the year.

The Knights were embarrassed by SMU this past weekend, so they will be looking to take their frustrations out this Saturday. That does not bode well for the Blazers, who are clearly struggling. That first win won't come this weekend, as UCF should roll rather easily.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: UCF 38, UAB 10