Game time: 8 p.m.

Where: Orlando, Fla; Acrisure Bounce House

TV: FS1

Vitals: Friday's matchup against the Houston Cougars (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) has added meaning for the UCF Knights (4-4, 1-4 Big 12). It is the team's ninth annual Space Game since its 2017 inauguration. They are undefeated in their Space Games, winning by almost an average margin of 30 points. These teams met in 2019 when UCF defeated them 44-29 on Nov. 2 for its third Space Game victory. The Space Game is similar to historic college football rivalries for the players and fans; it's the one game they cannot lose. 

Betting odds, courtesy of USA Today

Spread: UCF +1, Houston -1

Moneyline: UCF -105, Houston -115

O/U: 47.5 total points

DISCLAIMER: If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER

KEY UCF PLAYERS: 

QB Tayven Jackson: 1,334 YDS, 5 TDs and 4 INTs; 34 RUSH, 72 YDS and 3 TDs

RB Myles Montgomery: 112 RUSH, 572 YDS and 3 TDs, 14 REC, 121 YDS

WR Duane Thomas Jr: 38 REC, 393 YDS

LB Lewis Carter:  50 TOT TKLS (29 SOLO, 21 AST), 1 SACK and 1 FF

LB Jayden McDonald: 12 TOT TKLS (9 SOLO, 3 AST) and 1 INT

KEY UCF STATS:

SCORING OFFENSE: 27.3 POINTS/GAME (12th in Big 12)

• 226.3 PASSING YARDS/GAME (8th in Big 12)
• 191.4 RUSHING YARDS/GAME (5th in Big 12)

SCORING DEFENSE: 18.8 POINTS/GAME (4th in Big 12)

• 161.4 PASSING YARDS ALLOWED/GAME (3rd in Big 12)
• 146.3 RUSHING YARDS ALLOWED/GAME (8th in Big 12)

QUOTEABLE: Definitely never going to overlook anyone, but it's college football," senior linebacker Cole Kozlowski said about overlooking Houston in its loss against West Virginia. "I think anyone on any given day could beat anyone and that's the thing that's awesome about it. Just keeping the same confidence, treating every week the same and doing our jobs."

UCF Aims To Continue Space Game Dominance, Houston Falls Out Of The AP Top 25

Defeating Houston would extend the Knights' Space Game winning streak to nine straight games and continue spoiling Houston's stellar season. The Cougars were the No. 22-ranked team in the nation before losing to West Virginia (3-6, 1-5 Big 12) last Saturday, 45-35. Losing to the Mountaineers kicked them out of the AP top-25, replaced by Missouri. 

Back-to-back losses for the Cougars would aid UCF's chances of winning a bowl game, another goal for the Knights as the season inches closer to ending. Houston enters a hostile environment, charged up and ready to launch at any sign of positive momentum. 

A victory adds to their Space Game dominance, increases chances of a postseason appearance and gives them more bragging rights over Houston. 

The Friday night lights await in anticipation for the UCF Knights to launch off in victoriously.