The details:
WHAT: Old Dominion (1-5, 0-2) @ UAB (5-1, 2-1)
WHEN: Saturday at 3 p.m. CT
WHERE: Legion Field
SERIES: First meeting
TV: ESPN+
LINE: UAB at -16
THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE…
If the Blazers can avoid the distractions that come with homecoming week while not looking ahead to its bye week before beginning a five-game gauntlet to end the regular season. It also serves as the Children’s Harbor game so there is more than enough motivation for the Blazers to use against the Monarchs.
THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR
1. Return of Brown? The Blazers’ all-time leading rusher, Spencer Brown, has been sidelined the past two games with a lower leg injury but that has only elevated the talents of Lucious Stanley and true freshman Jermaine Brown Jr. Stanley has set a career-high in rushing yards in back-to-back games and Brown has showcased the ability that made him a two-time Alabama Back of the Year the final two seasons of his prep career. The elder Brown is likely to return this week but expanded opportunities are there for Stanley and Brown Jr., along with senior Jonathan Haden.
2. No late-game dramatics. The last two homecoming games have come down to the final moments with a last-second game-clinching block of a Louisiana Tech game-winning field goal attempt in 2017 and a second-half rally against North Texas last season. That won’t be the case against the Monarchs as they have the worst offense in the nation, statistically speaking, and a defense that is only slightly better.
3. Bowl eligibility. The Blazers can become bowl-eligible for a fourth consecutive season with a win over Old Dominion. Prior to Bill Clark’s arrival, UAB was bowl eligible a total of three times in its 18 seasons as an FBS-level program with only one bowl appearance.
KEY MATCHUP
UAB’s front seven vs. Old Dominion’s rushing attack: The Monarchs are absolutely atrocious in the passing game – their leading receiver is a running back and the only one to eclipse the century mark this season – so there should be a focus on running the ball. Unfortunately for Old Dominion, the Blazers are the top defense in the league and a top-20 nationally ranked defense in the four major defensive categories along with sacks and tackles for loss per game and third-down defense.
Let’s block ads! (Why?)
