Knights gearing up for championship run at SMU

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With 2 regular-season games left, an excited team looks to stay on top of its game.

A week ago, UCF was enjoying a muted celebration.

The Knights had just become bowl eligible but were trying to temper their joy as they chased, hoped and dreamed about slipping their way into a shot for the Conference USA title.

Seven days later, the Knights begin their final 14 days of the regular season with everything they wanted tucked away tightly in their pocket.

UCF's 45-31 win over a feisty UAB Saturday night, coupled with East Carolina's loss to Marshall, has put it in the East Division top spot with two games to go. If the Knights win their final two games of the season, it looks like a reset of the inaugural C-USA title game in 2005 against Tulsa.

Kyle Hightower: Orlando Sentinel