The University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers (5-6, 3-4 CUSA) and Louisiana Tech University Bulldogs (3-8, 2-5 CUSA) face off Saturday at Joe Aillet Stadium for their regular season finales. The Blazers are 17.5-point favorites, and the total is 55.5. UAB is coming off a crushing 41-10 loss at the hands of No. 6 LSU at Tiger Stadium last Saturday. Dylan Hopkins threw for 158 yards.
DeWayne McBride ran 13 times for 34 yards and a touchdown. Bryce Damous caught three passes for 56 yards. Louisiana Tech lost 26-21 to Charlotte at Jerry Richardson Stadium last Saturday. Landry Lyddy was 23 of 31 for 213 yards and two interceptions. Marquis Crosby carried 21 times for 105 yards and three touchdowns. Cyrus Allen caught three receptions for 82 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Blazers won the only game between the teams last season, a 52-38 victory in November. DeWayne McBride had four touchdowns for UAB. JD Head tossed two touchdowns for Louisiana Tech, as Smoke Harris found the end zone twice.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Blazers are averaging 30.0 points per game for the season, 54th in FBS, and they are facing a Bulldogs defense that has surrendered 38.0 PPG (128th). Meanwhile, Louisiana Tech has scored 29.2 points a game this season, 60th in the country, and UAB is allowing 23.1 PPG (42nd).
The Blazers rank as one of the country’s top teams in rushing yards per game (228.4, 10th), while they are 99th in passing yards (208.9). They have an advantageous matchup on the ground, as the Bulldogs are 130th in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (228.4).
Against the pass, Louisiana Tech is 90th (237.8).Louisiana Tech is 33rd in the nation in passing yards per game (269.1) and 108th in rushing (116.1), while the Blazers are allowing 193.2 passing yards (25th) and 165.8 rushing yards per game (87th).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through nine games, Dylan Hopkins has thrown for eight touchdowns (2 INT) and 180.6 yards per game to lead UAB in passing. In four away games this season, he has three TDs (1 INT) and an average of 141.5 yards passing. DeWayne McBride leads the team in rushing with an average of 143.8 yards a game over 10 games.
He has 18 touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Trea Shropshire is the Blazers’ leading receiver with 74.0 yards a game and four TDs. Parker McNeil has 18 passing touchdowns (8 INT) with 238.5 yards per game through eight games to lead Louisiana Tech. In four home games this season, he has thrown for 11 TDs (2 INT) and an average of 195.0 yards.
Marquis Crosby has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 76.9 yards a game through 11 games. He has eight touchdowns. Tre Harris has been a key target in the Bulldogs’ aerial attack. He has nine touchdowns and a 79.3 yard per game average through 11 appearances.
HOME AND AWAY
UAB has yet to taste victory away from home this season.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
UAB -17.5 (-110)
Want up to a $1K risk free bet for this pick?
Claim with today!
If you need more news, information and predictions, head over to our college football hub page for all your college football needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.