A couple of teams that like to mix in a lot of running plays, Head Coach Bill Clark and the UAB Blazers (-2.5) are gearing up to take on the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Johnny (Red) Floyd Stadium. Kickoff for this crucial CUSA game is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch it live by tuning in to ESPN 3.
Betting Preview: UAB Blazers at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
In this Saturday Conference USA matchup, UAB is tabbed as the favorite and is currently giving up 2.5 points. The Blazers are also receiving -140 moneyline odds while the Blue Raiders are +120. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 52.5 points. If the underdog strikes early, it will likely produce a nice in-game betting opportunity.
Odds have shifted from when they were first posted. The opening line was -3, while the game’s O/U hasn’t changed after being initially posted at 52.5.
Each of these teams has rewarded gamblers this season as the Blazers have recorded 4.3 units and the Blue Raiders are ahead 4.7 units.
The Blazers have gone 9-2 straight up (SU), including 7-0 SU against conference opponents. The Blue Raiders are 7-4 SU overall and 6-1 SU in conference play.
These two teams met last year with the final result being a 25-23 win for UAB.
The Blazers look to get back on track after a 41-20 loss to Texas A&M last week. Tyler Johnston III completed 25 passes for 306 yards, two scores and two interceptions. Spencer Brown (80 rushing yards on 18 attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller Johnston III (25 yards on 15 carries) mounted the ground attack. Andre Wilson (seven receptions, 89 yards, two TDs) and Xavier Ubosi (six catches, 81 yards) shared the receiving duties in the defeat.
One week ago, Kentucky took care of this Middle Tennessee crew by a score of 34-23. Brent Stockstill completed 30-of-33 passes for 293 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Chaton Mobley (98 rushing yards on 19 attempts) and the signal-caller Stockstill (-30 yards on 12 carries) led the running game as Ty Lee (seven receptions, 85 yards, one TD) and Tavares Thomas (seven catches, 31 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
UAB has run the ball on 64.9 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Middle Tennessee has a rush percentage of 51.9 percent. The Blazers have rushed for 226.2 yards per game (including 219.6 per game versus Conference USA opponents) and have 30 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Blue Raiders are putting up 136.6 rushing yards per game (150.4 in conference) and have 14 total rush TDs.
It seems like the Blazers might hold an advantage in terms of RB efficiency. Their running backs has logged 4.9 yards per carry while their defense is allowing a YPC of 3.5 to opponents. The Blue Raiders have registered 3.7 yards per carry and allowed a YPC of 4.4 to opponents.
The Blazers offense has averaged 205.4 yards through the air overall (194.4 per game versus conference opposition) and has 13 passing TDs so far. The Blue Raiders have put up 245.2 pass yards per outing (241 against CUSA foes) and have 24 total pass scores.
UAB should possess an edge in both areas of the defense. The team’s allowed opponents to rush for an average of 119.8 yards and pass for 157.6 yards per game. The Middle Tennessee D has given up 230.9 yards per game to opposing passers and 168.5 yards per game to opposing runners. The Blazers are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 4.18 to opponents, while the Blue Raiders have given up a 5.68 ANY/A.
Offensively, Johnston III has put up 603 passing yards this season. He’s completed 62 percent of his 65 attempts with five passing scores and four interceptions. He’s got a 7.43 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 4.48 over the last two outings.
Kailon Carter (259 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown on the year), Spencer Brown (921 rush yards, 14 rush TDs) and Andre Wilson (390 receiving yards, four TDs) have all played significant roles of late.
In the other huddle, Brent Stockstill has completed 219-of-313 passes for 2,239 yards, 20 TDs and six INTs. Stockstill’s ANY/A sits at 6.41 for the season and 8.48 across his past two outings.
As a group, Ty Lee, Chaton Mobley and Zack Dobson have combined for 567 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns over the last couple of games.
UAB Blazers at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Free NCAA Betting Tip
,Betting Trends
- The Middle Tennessee offense has lost eight fumbles this season while UAB has lost four.
- The UAB defense has 38 sacks on the year while Middle Tennessee has just 27.
- UAB, as a team, has rushed for 4.7 yards per attempt over its last three games and 2.6 over its last two.
- Middle Tennessee has averaged 4.1 yards per carry over its last three outings and 3.2 over its last two.
- Over its last three contests, Middle Tennessee is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
- The Over/Under for UAB’s last game was set at 46.5. The over cashed in the team’s 41-20 defeat to Texas A&M.
- In its last three matchups, UAB is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for Middle Tennessee’s previous outing was set at 48.5. The over cashed in the team’s 34-23 loss to Kentucky.
