Date: Saturday, Oct. 3

Game time: Noon

Where: Houston, Texas; TDECU Stadium

Streaming/Radio: ESPN2/96.9 The Game

Vitals: The UCF Knights start their toughest three-week road stretch against the No. 20 Houston Cougars. Houston is the first of three straight ranked matchups. Both programs met last year in the Knights' annual Space Game, and the Cougars intercepted Davi Belfort to seal a 30-27 win and snap their opponents' undefeated Space Game winning streak. UCF aims to snap a 10-game road losing streak in a potential upset that inches the team closer to breaking a two-year bowl drought.

Betting odds, courtesy of USA TODAY

Spread: UCF +1, Houston -11

Moneyline: UCF +330, TCU -430

Total points: Over/Under 51 points

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KEY UCF PLAYERS:

QB Keyone Jenkins: 288 yards, 3 touchdowns and 1 interception; 16 carries, 32 yards and 2 touchdowns

WR Josh Derry: 10 receptions and 119 yards (11.9 yards per catch)

RB Duke Watson: 40 carries, 354 yards (8.8 yards per carry) and 3 touchdowns

LB Tackett Curtis: 28 tackles (12 solo, 16 assisted), 1 sack and 1 interception

DB Demari Henderson: 19 tackles (13 solo, 6 assisted), 2 interceptions and 2 passes defended

QUOTEABLE: "I think they're really well coached," coach Scott Frost said during Monday's media availability. "So, it's a big challenge for us, and I'm excited about it, and I think our team will be too."

TE Dylan Wade Is Questionable; Can UCF Pull Off Upset?

The Knights may miss their No. 1 tight end, Dylan Wade, who was ruled questionable in Wednesday's injury report. He sustained an upper-body injury in last week's Big 12 home opener against the TCU Horned Frogs.

Wade is a dynamic vertical threat at 6-foot-2, adding another layer to UCF's passing game. The senior has eight receptions for 53 yards, tying wide receiver Ric'Darious "Day Day" Farmer for the second-most on the team.

He's a major piece of the Knights' 12-personnel look (two tight end set), including Caden Piening. Twelve-personnel adds another receiving threat in the passing game or a blocker to create gaps in the running game.

Injuries are piling up for UCF at the worst time, as the team must pull off an upset in the next three weeks.

Houston is the Big 12's best-scoring team. The team leads the conference in touchdowns (24) and points per game (44.5).

Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch's defense will face a tough matchup against the Cougars' dual-threat quarterback Connor Weighman and running back duo Makhi Hughes and Re'Shaun Sanford II.