LAST MEETING: LSU 56, UAB 17 (Sept. 7, 2013)
OPENING LINE: LSU by 14½
On UAB
RECORD: 5-5, 3-4 Conference USA
LAST THREE GAMES: Lost to Florida Atlantic 24-17, lost to Texas-San Antonio 44-38 (2OT), defeated North Texas 41-21
OFFENSIVE LEADERS: Quarterback Dylan Hopkins, running back DeWayne McBride, wide receiver Trea Shropshire
DEFENSIVE LEADERS: Linebacker Noah Wilder, linebacker Tyler Taylor, safety Grayson Cash
RUMBLINGS: After being picked to finish second in C-USA, the Blazers are in the middle of the pack of the 11-team league. A three-game losing streak took them out of contention to earn a spot in the conference’s championship game, but they proved they’re still capable with a 20-point drumming of second-place North Texas on Saturday.
ON THE BLAZERS OFFENSE
UAB’s dynamic running game ranks sixth in the FBS with 247.1 yards a game behind McBride, who’s second in the nation with 1,407 yards and 17 TDs. He’s rushed for 2,778 yards and 30 TDs in the past two seasons, while Brown has 689 yards and four scores this season. Shropshire is a big-play wideout who’s averaging 20.4 yards on 30 catches.
ON THE BLAZERS DEFENSE
UAB ranks 29th nationally in allowing 338.4 total yards per game, which leads C-USA. The Blazers also lead the league and are 18th in FBS in giving up 182.6 yards a game. They are in the bottom third of the nation, ranking 81st in giving up 155.8 yards rushing. They have allowed more than 24 points just twice this season and give up 21.3 a game.
