Orlando, Fla. • BYU set the stage for one of the greatest moments in recent program history last week. It authored a game-winning drive with 10 seconds to play, keeping an undefeated season alive.

But for an encore this week, BYU knows a win could set the stage for something much larger.

If the Cougars can get to 8-0 and knock off UCF, they give themselves a clear path to the Big 12 title game in December. BYU will be favored in each of the final four games of the year and face two of the worst teams in the conference — Houston and Kansas — at home.

History shows BYU can realistically lose once, maybe even twice, and still have a shot to get to Arlington. So beating UCF will give it plenty of cushion heading into November.

Still, beating UCF won’t be easy.

BYU arrived in Orlando on Thursday for a trip that is two time zones away. Long trips haven’t been kind to the Cougars in recent years. West Virginia and Liberty both beat BYU the last time the program traveled to the East Coast.

The Knights also come in with the leading rusher in the Big 12, RJ Harvey.

Jay Hill’s defense struggled to stop the run against Oklahoma State last week. Ollie Gordon II went for over 100 yards and three total touchdowns. The Pokes had nearly 300 yards rushing (the most Hill’s team has allowed since West Virginia last year).

Head coach Kalani Sitake thinks the run game issues were fixable. A win in Orlando might depend on it.