If you’re looking to bet on the Central Arkansas-UAB game and need to do some last-minute research, you’re in luck! We’ve put together this handy betting guide, which includes the point spread, money line and point total, as well as the information you’ll need to make the best bet.
The game kicks off Thursday at 8 p.m. ET and can be seen on ESPN3. The weather forecast for Birmingham, Ala. tonight is calling for clear skies so weather should not be a factor.
Central Arkansas, an FCS team, comes into the game with a 1-0 record after defeating Austin Peay 24-17 last Saturday. UAB is playing its first game of the season after finishing the 2019 season 9-5, including a loss to Appalachian State in the New Orleans Bowl.
The lines, courtesy of BetMGM
- Point spread: UAB -19.5
- Money line: UAB -2000 / Central Arkansas +950
- Over-under: 49.5
What you need to know
- UAB is one of the more intriguing Group of 5 teams in the country and are the heavy favorites to win Conference-USA
- UAB led by a stout defense that returns most of its key players
- In 2018, UAB was a run-first team despite its issues on the ground
- The UAB passing game has a lot of potential with QB Tyler Johnson III coming off a season where he led the nation in big-time throw rate, per Pro Football Focus
- Johnson also led the nation in turnover-worthy play rate and was called “the Jameis Winston of college football” by PFF
- In Central Arkansas’ Week 0 win over Austin Peay, it relied on its run game to make up for an inefficient passing attack, which will be tough to do against what was one of the nation’s best run defenses last year
- ESPN’s matchup predictor gives UAB a 93.6% win probability
- 78% of the public is betting on UAB, per Action Network
Advice
Taking the favorites looks like a safe bet, given the mismatch between UAB’s defense and Central Arkansas’ offense. A few big plays from Johnson and the passing game should be enough to cover. If he can avoid the mistakes that plagued him last season, things will get ugly. Also consider the under with UAB being so committed to the run, which could lead to a shorter game.
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