UCF @ Penn State preview
Beaver Stadium
A pair of former coaching pals try to remain unbeaten at one another's expense when Bill O'Brien's Penn State squad hosts George O'Leary and Central Florida on Saturday. O'Brien worked under O'Leary at Georgia Tech from 1995-2001, serving as the offensive coordinator in the final season, and now his promising offense must try to solve a Knights defense that has dominated its first two contests. The Nittany Lions have won four straight dating to last season, and their defense has been impressive through two games this year, allowing an average of 221.5 total yards and 12 points.
The Knights look to start 3-0 for the first time since 1988 and only the fourth time since the program's inception in 1979. To do so, they'll have to chalk up a first - Central Florida is 0-7 all-time against Big Ten opponents. Penn State has won both previous meetings - 27-24 in 2002 and 37-13 in 2004 - but both victories were vacated by the NCAA.
TV: 6 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network. LINE: Penn State -5.5.
ABOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA (2-0): Central Florida has dominated its first two opponents, beating Akron 38-7 and pounding Florida International 38-0. Running back Storm Johnson leads the potent offense with 188 rushing yards and five of the team's 10 touchdowns, and quarterback Blake Bortles has been efficient, completing 30-of-43 passes for 528 yards and four scores without an interception. Perhaps the most important statistic for the Knights is their turnover margin - they've forced three takeaways already this year and have not committed a turnover in their last three games dating to last season.
ABOUT PENN STATE (2-0): Christian Hackenberg passed for a Penn State freshman-record 311 yards in a 45-7 win against Eastern Michigan last week and is 45-of-64 for 589 yards and three touchdowns - all of which have gone for 45 or more yards. The Nittany Lions have three running backs with over 100 yards rushing and a receiver in Allen Robinson who has topped the century mark in both of the first two games. They need to be better on third down, however, after converting only 2-of-26 chances in their first two games.
EXTRA POINTS
1. The teams will meet again next season, opening the 2014 campaign in the inaugural Croke Park Classic in Dublin, Ireland.
2. Penn State K Sam Ficken has made a school-record 14 consecutive field goals dating to last season, including his first four attempts this year.
3. Bortles has thrown 17 touchdown passes since his last interception on Oct. 27, 2012. His run of 217 pass attempts without a pick is the longest active streak in the nation.
PREDICTION: Penn State 27, Central Florida 23