UCF vs. Southern Miss: Last Minute Spread Info, Line, BCS Impact and Predictions

Southern Miss has entered the top 25 this week with an 8-1 record, and takes on Conference USA rival UCF on Saturday night.

The Golden Eagles are in first place in the East division of Conference USA, just one game ahead of East Carolina and Marshall.

UCF is 4-5 thus far this season and have not been a consistent team.

Southern Miss is looking to climb up the polls and that challenge starts this week against UCF, let's look at everything you need to know about this game.

When: Saturday, Nov. 12 at 8 p.m. EST

Where: M.M. Roberts Stadium, Hattiesburg, Mississippi

Watch: CBSSN

Listen: Southern Miss IMG Sports Network

Betting Line: Southern Miss -9 (according to Bodog.eu)

Southern Miss is a good offensive team and average just under 38 points per game. Last week they scored 48 points in a win against East Carolina.

Against an inferior UCF defense, Southern Miss should be able to cover this spread easily. The Golden Eagles have beaten better teams by more than 10 this season.

Key Storyline

Despite an impressive 8-1 record, Southern Miss is still fighting to win the East division of Conference USA.

Winning the conference would allow the Golden Eagles to earn a bid to a good bowl game, and would complete a goal they set at the beginning of the season.

Who might not play for Southern Miss

Kendrick Hardy (RB) is questionable for Saturday's game against UCF with a shoulder injury. He has been out of action since Week 6.

Who might not play for UCF

Khymest Williams (WR) is questionable for Saturday's game against Southern Miss with an arm injury and has missed the last two games.

BCS/Top 25 implications

Southern Miss is currently ranked No. 22 in the BCS standings, and while they won't make a BCS bowl game this season, they certainly have a good chance to move up in the top 25 of the AP poll with some more wins.

UCF is not a factor in the BCS or a weekly top 25 poll.

What they're saying

Southern Miss head coach Larry Fedora spoke in a CBS article about his team being ranked for the first time in the AP poll since 2004.

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"It's good to be noticed," Fedora said. "Our guys have a special type of chemistry that comes with a lot of maturity. We're excited, but we also understand there's a lot more that we want to accomplish. There are plenty of teams that were in the AP poll earlier this season that have fallen out of it."

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Southern Miss player to watch

Quarterback Austin Davis has thrown for 2,147 yards this season with 18 touchdown passes and eight interceptions.

He's played well for the Golden Eagles this season and is a major reason why they average 37.6 points per game.

Davis will have a very good game on Saturday against UCF.

UCF player to watch

Quarterback Jeff Godfrey has thrown just one interception in the four wins for the Golden Knights this season.

When he plays well the UCF offense is capable of beating just about every team in Conference-USA.

Key Matchup

The UCF defensive line must get to Southern Miss quarterback Austin Davis and force him into making some bad throws.

If Davis has a lot of time to sit in the pocket and find the open receiver, the Golden Eagles offense will cruise to an easy win.

On the hot seat

UCF coach George O'Leary needs to win this game for the Golden Knights to have a shot at playing in a bowl game this season.

UCF is 4-5 so far this season and have three games to get two wins in order to become bowl eligible.

Prediction: Southern Miss wins 38-17

The Golden Eagles offense is too good for the UCF defense to contain and playing at home as a ranked team will give Southern Miss the energy it needs to get a big win on Saturday.