The University of Central Florida (UCF) Knights (19) are treating their Friday night matchup against the University of South Florida (USF) like an early bowl game.
According to ESPN, the matchup has been dubbed "the War on I-4," UCF is 0-4 against their in-state rivals, but this year the Knights are nationally ranked and have a shot at a BCS bowl game.
"We just look at it as another championship game, another conference game that we've got to win," senior wide receiver Jeffrey Godfrey said. "We're just going out there like every week, practicing hard for a championship game and not worrying about the rivalry (or) anything else anybody wants to call it."
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UCF will be playing at home against a 2-8 USF team. The Knights can clinch at least a share of the American Athletic Conference with a win. At 9-1, the Knights' only blemish is a loss to South Carolina Gamecocks.
George O'Leary, the only UCF coach to lead the Knights to a bowl game, understands his team's desire to get back to a bowl game.
"You've got to understand, these kids were in junior high the last time we played," O'Leary said Monday. "If there's any still around, they're ineligible."
He is also in favor of a yearly game against USF, saying it encourages healthy in-state rivalry for both sides.
"I've always been pushing" to play South Florida every year, O'Leary said. "I think it would help both schools from a growth standpoint. I think it would help both schools from a stadium attendance capacity standpoint. I think it would help both schools from a fan interest standpoint."
UCF should be heavily favored in this game, as they average 22 more points per game, eight less points and nearly 200 more total yards. Blake Bortles, UCF's quarterback will also be looking to cap off a strong season Friday and next weekend against Southern Methodist.
