The UAB Blazers (2-2, 0-1 C-USA) welcome the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (3-2, 0-1) to Protective Stadium in Birmingham Saturday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Middle Tennessee at UAB odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
UAB comes into this game following a 28-24 loss at Rice. It has home wins over Georgia Southern and Alabama A&M, while losing by 4 at Rice and 7 (21-14) at o Liberty.
Starting RB DeWayne McBride has been the most efficient Blazers player, totaling 521 rushing yards (a 6.9 yards-per-carry average) and 6 touchdowns. UAB averages 220.5 rushing yards per game.
As for Middle Tennessee, it lost in its opener to James Madison 44-7. It then went on a 3-game win streak, which included a 45-31 win at the then-No. 25 Miami Hurricanes 2 weeks ago. However, the Blue Raiders lost to visiting UTSA 45-30 last week.
The Blue Raiders are led by QB Chase Cunningham, who is in his 2nd season as the starter. He’s thrown for 1,368 yards and 8 touchdowns so far this season.
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Middle Tennessee at UAB odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:20 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Middle Tennessee +290 (bet $100 to win $290) | UAB -380 (bet $380 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Middle Tennessee +9.5 (-108) | UAB -9.5 (-112)
- Over/Under (O/U): 53.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
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Middle Tennessee at UAB picks and predictions
Prediction
UAB 27, Middle Tennessee 24
Moneyline
PASS.
While Middle Tennessee did beat Miami, it also has some ugly losses that make it hard to trust in this battle. Expect UAB to win, especially at home, but at -380, I wouldn’t back it.
Against the spread
BET MIDDLE TENNESSEE +9.5 (-108).
Middle Tennessee played well against UTSA but just couldn’t convert on its forced turnovers.
The Blue Raiders have defended well against what the Blazers do best – run the ball. Middle Tennessee ranks 9th in the nation in opponents’ yards per rushing attempt at just 2.8.
It allows just 107.8 rushing yards per game. UAB, on the other hand, ranks 15th in rushing yards per game (220.5 per game as mentioned above). This battle – Blue Raiders rush defense vs. the Blazers running game – will be what wins the game, and against teams like Miami, the Blue Raiders’ defense held up.
With this being coach Bryant Vincent’s first season at UAB, he still doesn’t have a great track record and he hasn’t had his team impressive against competent opponents, which Middle Tennessee is.
The Blazers have only beaten an FCS side and a low-tier Sun Belt opponent. I’ll take the BLUE RAIDERS +9.5 (-108) to cover here.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 53.5 (-108).
The expectation is that Middle Tennessee throws UAB off its rhythm, and if that’s the case, the Blazers may not be able to hit its 33-points-per-game average.
UAB is also allowing just 17.5 points per game. The Blazers’ defensive strength is in the pass defense. They allow just 161.8 passing yards per game, which is Middle Tennessee’s strength.
Simply put, both teams defend their opposing offenses’ strength well. Considering that, I’ll take UNDER 52.5 (-108).
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