Charlotte vs. UAB Odds
| Charlotte Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+23.5 -110 | 64.5 -106o / -114u | +1280 |
| UAB Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-23.5 -110 | 64.5 -106o / -114u | -3500 |
UAB hosts Charlotte Saturday night hoping to build off of its monster win over Middle Tennessee last week.
The Blazers, who were projected to finish near the top of the Conference USA, are 3-2 on the season. UAB has dominated in those three wins by a cumulative score of 135-49.
The program laid an egg two weeks ago, though, losing 28-24 to Rice as double-digit favorites.
The Blazers will again be double-digit favorites against a Charlotte program that is 1-5 on the season. The 49ers have been playing better the last three weeks since quarterback Chris Reynolds returned to the starting lineup.
However, the defense has been one of the worst in the nation, as it has allowed 46 points per game.
UAB will put up points against the Charlotte defense, but whether either team covers the spread will come down to if the Reynolds and the Charlotte offense can hold their own.
Charlotte 49ers
It’s been a rough season for the 49ers, who are just 1-5 while being outscored by 21 points per game.
Much of their struggles can be attributed to Reynolds' absence, as he missed the first three games of the year with an injury. Since his return, the offense has improved from scoring 19 points to 32 points per game.
Reynold brings an explosive element to the offense, as he is averaging 8.6 yards per pass attempt while tossing 13 touchdowns to four interceptions. The redshirt senior threw for 400 yards against Georgia State and is fresh off of a 350-yard, four-touchdown performance against UTEP.
He’s consistently fed wide 6-foot-3 wide receiver Grant DuBose, one of the top pass catchers in the Conference USA. DuBose is averaging six catches for 72 yards while finding pay dirt seven times this season.
The offensive numbers for Charlotte are impressive partly because it must be since this defense is absolutely horrific. The 49ers have allowed all six opponents — including FCS foe William & Mary — to score 40 points this season.
The Charlotte defense is allowing 5.8 yards per carry and over 250 rushing yards per contest. That’s not the worst of it — the 49ers are also giving up 11.2 yards per pass attempt.
Slowing down a UAB offense that is productive — both on the ground and through the air — will be nearly impossible.
UAB Blazers
It will be family weekend in Birmingham, as the UAB football program will play its fourth home game this season. The Blazers have won all three of those contests and will likely put on a show for their families in this matchup.
The Blazers' offense is spearheaded by a two-headed monster in the backfield in DeWayne McBride and Jermaine Brown Jr. Each back is averaging over seven yards per carry this season.
McBride is putting up 160 rushing yards per game and has scored nine touchdowns this season.
With two dominant running backs, it's no surprise that UAB's 64% Rush Rate ranks 11th nationally.
Quarterback Dylan Hopkins has been an efficient game manager, throwing five touchdowns to only one interception. He’s completed 67% of his passes while averaging 9.4 yards per pass attempt.
The Blazers' defense ranks among the best in the conference, as it is allowing fewer than 17 points per game.
The unit has been especially strong against the pass, allowing just five yards per pass attempt. The group ranks 34th in Passing Success Rate Allowed and sixth in PFF Coverage Grade.
That will be an important factor against a Charlotte offense that throws the ball at a top-10 clip nationally.
Charlotte vs. UAB Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Charlotte and UAB match up statistically:
Charlotte Offense vs. UAB Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 129 | 55 | |
| Line Yards | 91 | 56 | |
| Pass Success | 65 | 34 | |
| Pass Blocking** | 111 | 49 | |
| Havoc | 67 | 35 | |
| Finishing Drives | 62 | 6 | |
| ** Pass Blocking (Off.) vs. Pass Rush (Def.) | |||
UAB Offense vs. Charlotte Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 23 | 119 | |
| Line Yards | 106 | 121 | |
| Pass Success | 75 | 131 | |
| Pass Blocking** | 10 | 125 | |
| Havoc | 100 | 130 | |
| Finishing Drives | 41 | 104 | |
| ** Pass Blocking (Off.) vs. Pass Rush (Def.) | |||
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 109 | 13 |
| PFF Coverage | 130 | 6 |
| SP+ Special Teams | 88 | 101 |
| Seconds per Play | 26.4 (66) | 30.1 (125) |
| Rush Rate | 42.4% (120) | 64.0% (11) |
Data via CollegeFootballData.com (CFBD), FootballOutsiders, SP+, Pro Football Focus and SportSource Analytics.
Charlotte vs. UAB Betting Pick
Charlotte’s defense has been historically bad through the first six games, and there is no reason to anticipate any improvement in this matchup.
The 49ers are allowing 5.8 yards per rush attempt and 250 yards per game, while allowing 17 touchdowns on the ground this season.
The Blazers have the top two running backs in the conference and will surely run over this defense at will.
But Charlotte’s offense has shown improvement in the last three weeks with Reynolds back in the lineup. The passing attack has accounted for 15 touchdowns over the last four games against some solid defenses.
I expect the 49ers to move the chains through the air.
Play the over in this matchup, as this number is surprisingly low for a Charlotte game (the 49ers have allowed all six of their opponents to score at least 40 points). I trust Charlotte’s Air Raid offense to do its fair share, and for this Conference USA matchup to go over the total.
