Free College Football Picks Today: Rice Owls vs Alabama-Birmingham Blazers 10/1/22

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers (2-1, 0-1 Away), the Conference USA’s strongest rushing offense, are on the road to face the Rice University Owls (2-2, 2-0 Home), one of the conference’s softest ground defenses, for a CUSA opener at Rice Stadium on Saturday. The Blazers are 10-point favorites, and the total is 51.5. UAB is coming off a convincing 35-21 win over Georgia Southern at Protective Stadium on September 17. Dylan Hopkins threw for 125 yards and a touchdown. DeWayne McBride ran 28 times for 223 yards and four touchdowns. Ryan Davis caught one pass for 36 yards. Rice lost 34-27 to No. 25 Houston at TDECU Stadium last Saturday. TJ McMahon was 25 of 39 for 334 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. Kobie Campbell carried one time for 34 yards. Bradley Rozner had five receptions for 123 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Owls won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 30-24 victory in October. Wiley Green threw three touchdowns for Rice. McBride had two touchdowns for UAB.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Blazers are averaging 36.0 points per game so far this season, 43rd in FBS, and they are facing an Owls defense that has surrendered 32.8 PPG (104th). Meanwhile, Rice has scored 31.5 points a game this season, 65th in the nation, and UAB is allowing 14.0 PPG (13th).The Blazers rank as one of the country’s top teams in rushing yards per game (253.3, 6th), while they are 115th in passing yards (162.0). The Owls are 40th in passing yards allowed per game (196.0) and 82nd against the run (154.8).Rice is 53rd in the nation in passing yards per game (262.3) and 83rd in rushing (147.8), while the Blazers are allowing 181.0 passing yards (25th) and 166.7 rushing yards per game (98th).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through three games, Hopkins has thrown for two touchdowns and 143.3 yards per game to lead UAB in passing. In one prior away game this season, he had zero TDs and 114 yards passing. McBride leads the team in rushing with an average of 200.0 yards a game over two games. He has five touchdowns on the ground. Tejhaun Palmer is the Blazers’ leading receiver with 36.7 yards a game.McMahon has eight passing touchdowns (7 INT) with 244.0 yards per game through four games to lead Rice. In two home games this season, he has thrown for seven TDs (3 INT) and an average of 288.5 yards. Ari Broussard has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 40.0 yards a game through four games. He has six touchdowns. Luke McCaffrey has been the primary target in the Owls’ passing game. He has three touchdowns and an 80.8 yard per game average through four appearances.