No. 10 UCF brings 19-game winning streak to East Carolina

No. 10 UCF (6-0, 3-0 American) at East Carolina (2-4, 0-3), 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Line: UCF by 21.

Series record: East Carolina leads 10-6.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

UCF looks to extend the nation's longest winning streak to 20 straight and keep alive its bid to crash the College Football Playoff from the Group of Five. For the Pirates, their first victory over a top-10 opponent in a decade would be a clear sign of progress under third-year coach Scottie Montgomery.

KEY MATCHUP

UCF offense vs. East Carolina defense. The Pirates' defense has improved significantly from last year, when it ranked last in both average yards (541.7) and points (45) allowed. But they haven't faced this tough of a test yet - the Knights have put up at least 38 points in every game but last week's 31-30 win at Memphis, and rank in the top 10 nationally in both points (45.7) and total yards (555.5).

PLAYERS TO WATCH

UCF: RB Taj McGowan. While QB McKenzie Milton gets most of the headlines, McGowan kept alive the Knights' pursuit of perfection last week, running 71 yards for the momentum-changing touchdown to beat Memphis.

East Carolina: QB Holton Ahlers, a highly touted freshman, draws quite an assignment for his first start. Ahlers has completed 46 percent of his passes as a backup, earning his chance at a position where there has been little separation among three candidates.

FACTS & FIGURES

The Knights will finally play in the state of North Carolina, after their visit to UNC last month was cancelled due to Hurricane Florence. ... The Pirates have lost five straight against Top 25 opponents, have allowed at least 60 points in their last four losses and haven't kept it closer than 10 points in any of them. ... East Carolina last beat a top-10 team in 2008 against No. 8 West Virginia.

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