TCU’s defense has been one of the quiet strengths of the Horned Frogs’ 2-1 start, but now it gets a very different kind of challenge.

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When TCU visits UCF on Saturday, the Horned Frogs will have to contain Duke Watson, a Louisville transfer who has quickly become one of the most explosive running backs in the Big 12.

MORE: TCU Returns To UCF With A Score To Settle

Watson enters the matchup with 297 rushing yards on just 27 carries, an average of 11 yards per attempt.

His biggest performance came last week against Georgia State, when he rushed for a career-high 177 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries in UCF’s 44-30 victory.

That’s an average of 12.6 yards per carry.

TCU can’t let that kind of explosiveness show up in Orlando.

The Horned Frogs have allowed only 29 points through three games, their lowest total through three contests since 2014.

They also held Arkansas State to 128 rushing yards in last week’s 31-7 win.

That success will be tested by a UCF offense that has leaned heavily on the ground game.

Watson already has two 100-yard performances this season after rushing for 110 yards in the opener against Bethune-Cookman.

He’s dangerous because he doesn’t need 25 carries to wreck a defensive game plan. One missed fit or bad angle can turn into a 40- or 50-yard gain quickly.

For TCU, the assignment starts with discipline.

The defensive front has to win first down, keep Watson from getting clean access to the second level and force UCF into situations where its passing game has to carry more of the burden.

That’s especially important with quarterback Keyone Jenkins expected to remain heavily involved while Alonza Barnett III deals with a hamstring injury.

If TCU can make UCF one-dimensional, the matchup tilts toward the Frogs.

If Watson starts breaking tackles and creating explosive runs, though, the entire complexion of the game changes.

MORE: How to Watch TCU Open Big 12 Play vs. UCF With Tough Road Test

TCU’s defense has looked legitimate through three weeks.

Saturday will show whether it’s ready for one of the Big 12’s most dangerous rushing threats.

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President Trump said on Saturday that he rejected the latest Iranian proposal that was conveyed to the U.S. during indirect negotiations in New York this week.

Why it matters: While Qatar and other regional mediators are trying to revive negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, the gaps on the key issues are still very wide.

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• While Iran wants to focus any talks on the Strait of Hormuz and the U.S. naval blockade, the Trump administration demands the Iranians agree to nuclear concessions.

What he is saying: "They have made a proposal and I rejected it," Trump said.

• But a U.S. official claimed "positive and constructive" discussions are still ongoing between the U.S. and Iran through the mediators, including on nuclear issues.

Driving the news: U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner held a new round of indirect negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York this week.

• Qatari officials participated in the negotiations, passing messages between the two parties, sources with direct knowledge said.
• Araghchi gave Witkoff and Kushner Iran's conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and resuming nuclear talks.
• Iran proposed reopening the strait and resuming nuclear talks in a week, if the U.S. lifts its naval blockade, removes sanctions on oil sales and reinstates a ceasefire across the region.
• The U.S. negotiators made it clear to the Iranians during the talks on Tuesday that Iran doesn't control the strait and therefore can't make demands about it, a source told Axios.

State of play: Dozens of oil tankers are transiting the strait each day under U.S. protection, moving millions of barrels of oil to global markets — still well below pre-war volumes but enough to ease some pressure.

• U.S. officials claim that over the last 72 hours around 60 million barrels of oil transited through the Strait of Hormuz.

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