UAB vs. UTSA Odds
- Spread: UTSA +12
- Over/Under: 47
- Time: 6 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN+
Odds as of Friday and via PointsBet, where Action Network users can access an exclusive promotion to get a 200% deposit match (deposit $50, bet with $150).
No one would blame UAB and head coach Bill Clark for being a bit fatigued. The Blazers played in the longest game in program history, just over 6 hours due to multiple lightning delays against Rice. UAB would go on to win 35-20, but a finish time past midnight in the driving rain could linger into Week 7.
Clark mentioned in his Monday presser that going on the road is always a challenge.
The Blazers had uncharacteristic turnovers at Akron and against at Western Kentucky. UAB lost to WKU as a favorite after quarterback Tyler Johnston threw four interceptions.
Heading on the road to UTSA, the Blazers may be without their top running back.
Injury to UAB RB Spencer Brown vs. Rice “isn’t as bad as it looked” & he’s hopeful to play Saturday at UTSA, sources told @Stadium. Brown, who left after 1 carry vs. Rice, is the school’s all-time leading rusher
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) October 6, 2019
As for UTSA, the Alamodome will celebrate the 100th game in Roadrunner history with Hispanic Heritage Game and Family Weekend. There will be Lucha American Wrestling as one of the festivities, and that alone is enough to energize a fan base to rally UTSA.
As far as the football itself, there is reason to think the Roadrunners can keep this close. UAB will rely on the arm of quarterback Tyler Johnston even if Spencer Brown is starting.
The Blazers are 15th in the nation in pass yards per attempt and 60th in passing success rate. Johnston can throw the ball deep, which is where the UTSA defense excels. The Roadrunners have allowed just 12 passes over 20 yards, good enough to rank 22nd in the country.
Expect UTSA to prevent most big passing plays for UAB, and with a total of 47, there is plenty of value on the current number of 12.
Also, UAB has arguably the easiest strength of schedule to this point. Rice, South Alabama, Akron and Western Kentucky all rank outside the Action Network top 100 and this Blazers team might not be as good as we think.
Pick: UTSA +12
