Two of the nation’s top running offenses are set to square off at Protective Stadium on Saturday, as the University of North Texas Mean Green (6-4, 5-1 CUSA) head to take on the University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers (4-5, 2-4 CUSA). The Blazers are six-point favorites, and the total is 58.
North Texas is coming off a one-sided 52-14 win over FIU at Apogee Stadium last Saturday. Austin Aune threw for 414 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. Stone Earle ran 11 times for 60 yards and a touchdown.
Jyaire Shorter caught two passes for 92 yards and two touchdowns. UAB dropped a third straight game last Saturday, falling 44-38 to UTSA at Protective Stadium. Jacob Zeno was 27 of 38 for 332 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. DeWayne McBride carried 19 times for 141 yards and two touchdowns. Tejhaun Palmer added a touchdown of his own. He hauled in eight receptions for 110 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Blazers won the only game between the teams last season, a 40-6 victory in September, their third straight win against North Texas. Dylan Hopkins threw three touchdowns for UAB, as Gerrit Prince scored twice.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Mean Green are averaging 37.2 points per game for the season, 17th in FBS, and they are facing a Blazers defense that has surrendered 21.3 PPG (29th). Meanwhile, UAB has scored 31.0 points a game this season, 51st in the nation, and North Texas is allowing 30.3 PPG (96th).
The Mean Green rank as one of the country’s top teams in rushing yards per game (218.6, 14th), while they are 23rd in passing yards (285.2). The Blazers are 23rd in passing yards allowed per game (185.2) and 89th against the run (161.4).
UAB has been one of the nation’s top rushing teams, averaging 243.7 yards per game (6th), while ranking 98th in passing yards (205.9). The Mean Green are allowing 273.2 passing yards (112th) and 176.7 rushing yards per game (101st).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through 10 games, Austin Aune has thrown for 28 touchdowns (11 INT) and 275.3 yards per game to lead North Texas in passing. In five away games this season, he has 14 TDs (5 INT) and an average of 311.8 yards passing.
Ayo Adeyi leads the team in rushing with an average of 69.0 yards a game over 10 games. He has four touchdowns on the ground and three through the air. Roderic Burns is the Mean Green’s leading receiver with 69.2 yards a game and one TD.
Dylan Hopkins has seven passing touchdowns (2 INT) with 176.1 yards per game through seven games to lead UAB. In four home games this season, he has thrown for four TDs (1 INT) and an average of 206.2 yards.
DeWayne McBride has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 160.5 yards a game through eight games. He has 14 touchdowns. Trea Shropshire has been a key target in the Blazers’ passing game. He has three touchdowns and a 78.0 yard per game average through seven appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
UAB -6 (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
