Two schools that like to run the football, Head Coach Bill Clark and the UAB Blazers (-2.5) are gearing up to pay a visit to their conference foe Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at Johnny (Red) Floyd Stadium. This key afternoon game is scheduled to get underway at 3:00 p.m. ET and ESPN 3 has the TV rights.
UAB Blazers vs. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders Betting Preview
Middle Tennessee is a live dog and is currently getting 2.5 points in this CUSA game. The Blazers are also receiving -140 moneyline odds while the Blue Raiders are +120. Vegas has set the over/under (O/U) at 52.5 points. There could be some good in-game betting opportunities for the showdown.
This game’s total has not moved after being set initially at 52.5. Having said that, the opening line was -3 and has recently moved up to 2.5.
Each of these teams has been profitable this season as the Blazers have gained 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.
The Blazers came up short to Texas A&M 41-20 in a blowout where the passing attack wasn’t where it needed to be as Tyler Johnston III completed 25-of-39 passes for 306 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Spencer Brown (80 rushing yards on 18 attempts, one TD) and the signal-caller Johnston III (25 yards on 15 carries) led the running attack in the loss. Andre Wilson (seven receptions, 89 yards, two TDs) and Xavier Ubosi (six catches, 81 yards) shared the receiving duties.
Middle Tennessee just fell 34-23 to Kentucky. The defense allowed the Wildcats to rush for 203 yards on 40 attempts, including two rush TDs. Benny Snell put up a productive showing in the win, posting 116 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 26 attempts for Kentucky. For Middle Tennessee, 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 ground game in the defeat while Ty Lee (seven receptions, 85 yards, one TD) and Tavares Thomas (seven catches, 31 yards) led the pass-catching attack.
UAB’s 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 produced 226 rush yards per game (including 220 per game against Conference USA opponents) and have 30 scores via handoffs this year. The Blue Raiders are putting up 137 rushing yards per game (150 in conference) and have 14 total rush TDs.
It appears that the Blazers may own the edge in terms of RB effectiveness. Their running backs has produced 4.9 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 3.5 YPC to opponents. The Blue Raiders have ran for 3.7 yards per carry and given up a YPC of 4.4 to opponents.
The Blazers offensive scheme has averaged 205 yards through the air overall (194 per game versus conference opposition) and has 13 passing scores so far. The Blue Raiders have put up 245 pass yards per outing (241.3 against CUSA foes) and have 24 total pass TDs.
UAB appears to possess the upper hand in both areas of the defense. The team’s allowed opponents to run for an average of 120 yards and pass for 158 yards per game. The Middle Tennessee defense has allowed 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 just 4.18 to opponents, while the Blue Raiders have given up a 5.68 ANY/A.
Offensively, Johnston III is up to 603 passing yards on the year. The signal-caller has completed 40-of-65 attempts with five scores through the air and four interceptions. Johnston III’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, Spencer Brown and Andre Wilson have combined to account for 461 total yards and five touchdowns over the last couple of outings.
Brent Stockstill has managed to complete 219-of-313 passes for 2,239 yards, 20 TDs and six INTs for Middle Tennessee. His ANY/A stands at 6.41 for the year and 8.48 over his last two games.
Ty Lee (548 receiving yards, five receiving touchdowns on the year), Chaton Mobley (424 rush yards, three rush TDs, 99 receiving yards, one receiving TD) and Zack Dobson (65 receiving yards, one receiving TD) have combined to account for 567 total yards and five touchdowns the past couple of games.
When these two teams met a year ago, UAB earned the win 25-23.
RELATED: Week 13 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free NCAA Betting Tip: UAB Blazers at Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders
SU Winner – Middle Tennessee, ATS Winner – Middle Tennessee, O/U – Under
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Over/Under for UAB’s previous game was 46.5. The over cashed in the team’s 41-20 loss to Texas A&M.
UAB has produced 4.7 yards per carry 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 past two.
The Middle Tennessee offense has lost eight fumbles this season while UAB has lost four.
Over its last three matchups, UAB is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in each of those three.
The Over/Under for Middle Tennessee’s last outing going into it was 48.5. The over cashed in the 34-23 loss to Kentucky.
Over its last three contests, Middle Tennessee is 3-0 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Blazers offense has produced six pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Blue Raiders have put up seven such plays.
The UAB defense has allowed five pass plays of 40 yards or more, while Middle Tennessee has given up 10 such plays.
The UAB offense has created 21 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Middle Tennessee has created 10 such runs.
The Blazers defense has allowed 16 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Blue Raiders have given up 19 such runs.
The UAB defensive unit has 38 sacks on the year while Middle Tennessee has just 27.
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