The Knights of UCF have sold out the house for Saturday night's game against the Miami Hurricanes.

Apparently, Orlando and its Knights -- nearly two dozen of the UCF athletes are from Miami-Dade and Broward counties -- believe this show will be better than Illuminations at Epcot or Spectromagic at Magic Kingdom.

Or maybe they just smell an upset.

``I feel like anytime we go out and play we can win the game, Miami or not,'' said UCF cornerback Darin Baldwin, a junior from Homestead South Dade High. ``The players here don't feel like we should have been at Miami. It doesn't really matter where you go, you still have to play. The best players play.''

The ninth-ranked Hurricanes (4-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) once again insist they are not taking anyone for granted, let alone an in-state team with players who have added incentive to dazzle. This is the Hurricanes' third of four in-state opponents this season: Florida State, Florida A&M, UCF and a post-Thanksgiving season finale at South Florida.

UM took care of FSU and FAMU and travels for the first time to Orlando -- by bus, no less -- to meet the Knights (3-2, 1-2 Conference USA) at 7:30 p.m. at Bright House Networks Stadium, capacity 45,323.

``I think they're setting it up,'' said UM center A.J. Trump, who played at Clearwater Central Catholic. ``It's a sold-out night game, and they've got some athletes. I watched them on film and played against them last year. They can play.

``With an in-state rivalry you're always going to play up. You want to talk trash because half the kids from my high school went to UCF. They might not be playing football, but on Facebook you know I'm going to get murdered if we lose this game.''

Last year's game at Land Shark Stadium was the first meeting between the Hurricanes and Knights. And it was ugly. Former UM quarterback Robert Marve threw three interceptions and his offense gained 216 yards and converted 2 of 17 third downs. But the Hurricanes defense dominated, holding UCF to 4 yards on the ground and 74 through the air.

UM won 20-14 when linebacker Darryl Sharpton batted down former starting quarterback Rob Calabrese's fourth-down pass from the Miami 36-yard line.

The Knights made numerous errors last year. Calabrese, now a sophomore, will be Saturday's backup to senior Brett Hodges (77 of 125 for 908 yards and six touchdowns, with six interceptions).

``We gave up close to 16 points on special teams,'' UCF coach George O'Leary said this week, recalling the game. ``We had a punt blocked, which led to a touchdown. We gave up a safety on a high snap, and we dropped a punt return on the 10 that went to the 6, and they eventually scored.

``You can't do that, especially with the way Miami is playing right now. They're playing with a lot of confidence and making good decisions.''

The Knights are coming off an open week.

The Hurricanes, who haven't had a break since Sept. 12, have been hit hard with injuries, especially on defense. End Eric Moncur and tackle Josh Holmes are listed as out for this game, as well as four other linemen who are out for the season.

``You can't worry about it,'' UM coach Randy Shannon said. ``You've got some depth, and you've got to keep coaching.''

Hurricanes defensive tackle Joe Joseph, a fifth-year senior, grew up in Orlando and played at Oak Ridge High. He said he tries to play ``through nicks and pains,'' and is especially eager about playing college ball in Orlando for the first time.

``It's very meaningful, a homecoming game,'' Joseph said. ``I'm very excited to go home and play in from of my hometown. It feels real good to play a team from your own state and get the job done, because you pretty much feel like you're the top dog.''

Knights defensive end Darius Nall, who overcame cancer last year and is back on the field, believes it's time for the Knights to prevail.

``I just know everybody is ready to make a statement on this team,'' he said. ``It's going to be a great game.''

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