Two teams competing for the American Athletic Conference title face off for the first time as football foes when Central Florida visits Navy on Saturday. The Midshipmen are still tied for the division lead in the AAC West with just one conference loss, though since that loss came to Memphis, it's going to require four straight conference wins and some help to make it to the conference title game. UCF has yet to lose this season, currently leading the nation in point differential defeating teams by an average of 33.8 points. 

The game features two of the top quarterbacks in the league with UCF's McKenzie Milton ranking second in the nation in passing efficiency and Navy's Zach Abey currently second only to Bryce Love on the national rushing leaders list. These two teams may have never played before Saturday, but it's possible that this could be one of the best games in the American this season. 

Viewing information

Date: Saturday, Oct. 21 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Navy Marine Corps Stadium -- Annapolis, Maryland 
TV: CBS Sports Network [Channel finder

Live stream: College Sports Live

Storylines

UCF: This is one of the toughest games on UCF's schedule and a hurdle on the path to a conference title and New Years Six bowl game consideration. To this point, UCF has been blowing opponents out and has yet to play in, much less win, a close game in 2017. If the Knights are set for a special season, it's going to show in their performance against a good Navy team. 

Other than the quality of competition, UCF has the look of a team that should be considered for the Group of Five spot in the New Year's Six. The offense is balanced with Milton taking care of the ball (70 percent passing, 15 touchdowns and just two interceptions) and sophomore Adrian Killins Jr. in the midst of a breakout season at running back. The defense commits to stopping the run first behind a terrific defensive line and superstar linebacker Shaquem Griffin. Now that the competition is tougher, we're judging the Knights to see if they are, in fact, championship caliber. 

Navy: The Midshipmen have never lost two conference games in a season as AAC members. This is only Navy's third season in the league, but it's still expected that this is the team to beat in the West Division. If Navy is going to return to the conference title game, it will need this win to stay in the hunt, and the key to winning will be long scoring drives from Zach Abey and the offense. 

UCF has the look and feel of old Oregon teams in the way they have simply blown the doors of opponents early in the season. A few stops on defense give the ball back to Milton and pretty soon the Knights have a double-digit lead after capitalizing on those early possessions. One thing Abey can do here is limit the possessions and the time between them with long drives to hope UCF doesn't get into a rhythm. 

Prediction

The Knights haven't had to win a close game yet this season, so there's some uncertainty in wondering how they'll perform in crunch time. But UCF has looked like the best team in the conference all season, and instead of doubting what we haven't seen, it's time to bank on what we know. UCF's offense is explosive and Navy's defense -- though improved from 2016 -- might be outmatched in this game. Pick: UCF -7.5


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Dennis Dodd
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Barton Simmons
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Jerry Palm
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Chip Patterson
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Tom Fornelli
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Ben Kercheval
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Barrett Sallee
UCF -7.5
SU