ORLANDO, Fla. _ The UCF versus Stanford football game still is scheduled to be played at 3:30 p.m. Saturday despite the threat of a tropical storm in the region, according to school officials.
The National Hurricane Center released a forecast Thursday afternoon that projects Tropical Storm Humberto will form and make landfall at 2 p.m. Saturday in Melbourne with 50-mph winds. Spectrum Stadium is about 60 miles northwest of Melbourne.
"We are certainly monitoring weather conditions and will do that on an ongoing basis," UCF senior associate athletics director John Heisler said.
"We have various protocols in place for lightning and other major weather issues. We routinely are in contact with the National Weather Service in Melbourne, including a direct line during all football games. We expect the Stanford football game to be played at 3:30 p.m. as planned."
UCF coach Josh Heupel said he has focused on preparing to take on Stanford and not the weather.
"You have no idea what's going to happen weatherwise here," he said Thursday. "A week ago, we were dealing with the hurricane, and so our guys and our coaching staff, too, just take it day by day. Whatever we face, we'll be ready to take it on."
The Stanford football team plane was en route to Orlando on Thursday afternoon, according to Rivals.com affiliate UCFSports.com. The Cardinal planned to arrive early to help get acclimated to the weather and time-zone change.
UCF fans have been posting pictures of their preferred ponchos on social media all week. The school does not allow umbrellas in Spectrum Stadium, so fans will have to wear rain gear.
If there is lightning within eight miles of the stadium on game day, play will be suspended, and fans will be advised to take shelter in the concourse until at least 30 minutes have passed without lightning detected in the area.
No. 17 UCF (2-0) has touted its comfort playing in hot, humid and rainy conditions as a tactical advantage against Stanford (1-1), which is not accustomed to the Central Florida climate.
The Knights enter the game, set to be broadcast on ESPN, as a 7.5-point favorite.
