South Alabama at UAB Expert College Football Picks Against the Spread 9/21/2019

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Legion Field

Cephus Johnson and the South Alabama Jaguars go to Legion Field on Saturday where they'll meet the UAB Blazers. UAB opens this matchup as 11-point favorites. The O/U has been set at 50. The Jaguars are 1-2-0 ATS and 1-2-0 when betting on the total. The Blazers are 1-1-0 when wagering on the over/under and 1-1-0 against the spread.

Key South Alabama Jaguars Injuries

09/15/19 WR Jalen Wayne Foot is questionable Saturday vs UAB
09/15/19 RB Tra Minter Concussion is questionable Saturday vs UAB
09/10/19 RB Jalin Buie Knee is out for season

Key UAB Blazers Injuries

08/06/19 CB Brontae Harris Foot is out for season

The last time they took the field, the South Alabama Jaguars took on the Memphis Tigers and were beaten 42-6. Cephus Johnson led the team in rushing in the game. He broke a long run for 20 yards but he wasn't able to run one in for a touchdown. He racked up a total of 37 yards by way of 14 carries which meant he was running for 2.6 yards per run. Kawaan Baker led the team in receiving yardage by earning 84 yards on 2 catches. He notched an average of 42.0 yards per reception in the game. Leading the way at QB for the Jaguars was Tylan Morton who went 4/12 with 105 yards passing and tossed 1 touchdown. He tossed 1 interception in the game. The South Alabama Jaguars ended up running the ball 39 times and added 101 yards giving them an average of 2.6 yards per attempt. On the day, they ran 65 plays which added up to 248 yards. In the game, the Jaguars had a total of 14 1st downs and they had a total of 3 infractions for 30 yards which is telling in terms of how disciplined they are. When it comes to their defensive performance, South Alabama allowed 14 catches on 22 attempts totaling 218 yards, and a completion percentage of 63.6%. On the ground, the Jaguars allowed 312 yards on 45 carries which means they allowed 6.9 yards per rushing attempt allowed. Overall, they conceded 530 yards and earned 2 turnovers.

The Jaguars come into this matchup with a record of 1-2 this year. For total yards, they currently sit at 5th in the conference and 76th in Division 1 with 1,100 yards. In terms of scoring, they are one of the worst in the country averaging 21.3 points per contest, ranking them 105th in Division 1. As a team, they are averaging 199 rushing yards per game which is 6th in the Sun Belt Conference. The Jaguars have one of the most lackluster defenses in the country, giving up 30.3 points per game which has them at 5th in the conference. When it comes to passing yards, the Jaguars have allowed 503 yards. Opponents are completing 60% of the passes they throw against them and averaging 7.4 yards per attempt. In discussing yards rushing, South Alabama is giving up 184 yards per game ranking them 7th in the Sun Belt Conference and 106th in Division 1. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 4.6 yards per carry putting them 4th in the Sun Belt and 97th in the nation overall. In total, they have allowed 552 rushing yards through 3 games.

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In their last contest, the UAB Blazers played the Akron Zips and ended up getting the win by a score of 31-20. Leading the way at QB for the Blazers was Tyler Johnston III who went 15/24 with 319 yards passing and completed 4 TD's. He threw 1 pick on the day. Spencer Brown paced the team in rushing for that game. He tore off a long run of 7 yards but he wasn't able to run one in for a touchdown. He rushed for 35 yards by way of 16 carries which meant he averaged 2.2 yards per carry. Austin Watkins was the leader in receiving yardage by racking up 95 yards on 3 receptions. He averaged 31.7 yards per reception for that game. The UAB Blazers ran the ball a total of 34 times and earned a total of 83 yards earning them an average of 2.4 yards per rush. In the game, the Blazers got 15 1st downs and they had a total of 4 infractions for 35 yards which tells us their heads weren't always in the game. On the day, they ran 58 plays for 402 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, UAB allowed 25 catches on 44 attempts for a total of 359 yards, and a completion percentage of 56.8%. For this contest, they allowed 393 yards and earned 2 turnovers. Against the run, the Blazers allowed 34 yards on 29 carries giving the other team an average of 1.2 yards per attempt allowed.

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The Blazers come into this matchup with a record of 2-0. In terms of offensive proficiency, the Blazers have one of the middle tier offenses in the country. UAB hasn't done much to make teams fear their rushing game by averaging 129.5 yards on the ground per game, ranking them 95th in college football. As a team, they have a total of 259 yards rushing through 2 contests, so they are going to want to make some changes to the ground game if they want to make teams respect them. The Blazers average 346 yards per contest overall putting them 104th in the nation and 9th in the conference. The Blazers are giving up 19.5 points per game which puts them at 1st in C-USA and 45th in college football. In regard to points allowed, they have given up 39 total points. In regard to yards rushing, they are giving up 89.5 yards per game ranking them 29th in the country and 1st in the conference. For the 2019 season, they have allowed a total of 179 yards rushing and 2 rushing TDs. Their passing defense is one of the middling units in Division 1. They are giving up 237 passing yards per contest. For passing yards allowed per game, the Blazers sit in 10th in Conference USA.

Who will win tonight's Jaguars/Blazers college football game against the spread?

Guy's Pick: Take the Jaguars +11

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