The University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers (3-2, 1-1 CUSA) and their outstanding rushing offense host the University of North Carolina Charlotte 49ers (1-5, 0-2 CUSA), one of the nation’s weakest ground defenses, at Protective Stadium on Saturday. The Blazers are 23.5-point favorites, and the total is 63.5. Charlotte is coming off a 41-35 loss to UTEP at Jerry Richardson Stadium on October 1. Chris Reynolds threw for 347 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. Shadrick Byrd ran 13 times for 80 yards and a touchdown. He added two receptions for 33 yards. Elijah Spencer caught seven passes for 160 yards and a touchdown. UAB beat Middle Tennessee 41-14 at Protective Stadium last Saturday. Dylan Hopkins was 17 of 27 for 278 yards and a touchdown. DeWayne McBride carried 12 times for 120 yards and three touchdowns. Trea Shropshire added a touchdown of his own. He hauled in six receptions for 193 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The teams are meeting in the regular season for the first time since September 2018, a 28-7 win for the Blazers.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The 49ers are averaging 25.8 points per game for the season, 90th in FBS, and they are facing a Blazers defense that has surrendered 16.8 PPG (20th). Meanwhile, UAB has scored 34.6 points a game this season, 35th in the country, and Charlotte is allowing 46.3 PPG (131st).The 49ers rank as one of the nation’s worst teams in rushing yards per game (94.7, 122nd), while they are 25th in passing yards (286.3). The Blazers are 13th in passing yards allowed per game (168.6) and 80th against the run (149.0).UAB has been one of the nation’s top rushing teams, averaging 237.0 yards per game (9th), while ranking 106th in passing yards (200.4). Charlotte’s defense has been susceptible on the ground, as the 49ers are 130th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (253.3). Against the pass, the 49ers are 120th (284.2).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through four games, Chris Reynolds has thrown for 13 touchdowns (4 INT) and 271.8 yards per game to lead Charlotte in passing. In three away games this season, he has nine TDs (3 INT) and an average of 246.7 yards passing. Shadrick Byrd leads the team in rushing with an average of 45.8 yards a game over six games. He has one touchdown on the ground. Elijah Spencer is the 49ers’ leading receiver with 89.7 yards a game and three TDs. Dylan Hopkins has five passing touchdowns (1 INT) with 187.8 yards per game through five games to lead UAB. In three home games this season, he has thrown for three TDs and an average of 198.0 yards. DeWayne McBride has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 160.3 yards a game through four games. He has nine touchdowns. Trea Shropshire has been a star in the Blazers’ aerial attack. He has two touchdowns and a 104.7 yard per game average through three appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
UAB (-2500)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
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