UAB Blazers vs BYU Cougars Prediction, 12/18/2021 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: UAB Blazers vs BYU Cougars

Date: Saturday, December 18, 2021

Location: Independence Stadium in Shreveport, LA

TV: ABC

Odds/Point Spread: Cougars (-8.5)

Total/Over-Under: 54.5

The UAB Blazers (8-4) are en route to Independence Stadium on Saturday where they will try to beat the BYU Cougars (10-2) in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl. BYU opens this game as 8.5-point favorites from Vegas oddsmakers. The total is set at 54.5.

The UAB Blazers come into this matchup with a record of 8-4 this year. In their last contest, the Blazers played the UTEP Miners and walked away with a win by a score of 42-25. Jermaine Brown Jr. was the rushing leader for the Blazers with 16 totes for 88 yards (5.5 yards per carry). Dylan Hopkins went 15/20 with 108 yds through the air and 2 TDs. He had a quarterback rating of 143.4 and finished the game with 1 interception. On the ground, the Blazers gave up 99 yds on 30 tries, which is an average of 3.3 yds per rush allowed. UAB relinquished 21 completions on 34 attempts for 204 yds, and a completion rate of 61.8%. In the game, they tallied 62 plays which converted into 328 yds. The UAB Blazers ended up rushing 41 different times and totaled 220 yds, which came out to an average of 5.4 yards per carry.

When it comes to putting points on the board, the UAB Blazers have an average of 29.4 PPG. As a unit they're averaging 176.7 yards via the ground game ranking them 52nd in D-1. The Blazers have tallied 4,614 total yards this season. In terms of distribution of touchdowns, UAB has amassed 17 touchdowns through the air and 26 touchdowns via the ground. UAB has accumulated 210 1st downs as a unit, and they have been flagged for 112 penalties for 1093 yards. They have surrendered the ball 16 times.

Concerning passing yards, the Blazers have allowed 2,628 yards which ranks them 49th in college football. They have yielded 219.0 yards per game through the air as well as giving up a completion percentage of 58.0%. During the season, they have yielded 323.9 yards per game which has them ranked 15th in the nation. They have conceded 24 touchdowns via the pass as well as 12 touchdowns via the ground game. Opposing teams are running for an average of 3.0 yards per tote and 104.9 yards on the ground per game this season. During this campaign, they have given up 1,259 running yards through 12 games. The Blazers sit in 40th in the country when it comes to team defense, giving up 22.8 points per contest.

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The Cougars head into this matchup 10-2 for this season. The last time they took the field, the Cougars got the win with a final of 35-31 against the USC Trojans. Jaren Hall (2 touchdowns) ended the game with 276 yds on 20/32 passing while his QB rate was 143.1. He tossed 2 interceptions and his average yards per attempt was 8.6. Tyler Allgeier carried the rock 21 times for 111 yds, ending the game with 5.3 yds per carry for BYU. BYU rushed the ball for 4.5 yards per attempt, finishing with 189 yards on 42 carries. The Cougars finished the contest with 465 yds on 74 plays (6.3 yards per play). The Cougars passing defense conceded a completion rate of 63.9%, surrendering 248 yds on 23 out of 36 through the air. BYU conceded 44 running attempts for 210 yds (4.8 yds per rush).

The BYU Cougars have an average of 457.4 yards per contest, ranking them 17th in the country. The BYU offense has compiled 529 penalty yards on 64 infractions, which has them sitting 94th in Division 1 in terms of giving up free yards. For the season to this point, the Cougars have thrown for 3,238 yards via the pass together with an average of 269.8 throwing yards per contest, which has them sitting 26th in the nation. When it comes to their scoring prowess, the Cougars rank 29th in the nation holding an average of 33.5 points per contest.

The Cougars are allowing 24.3 points per contest, which puts them 47th in D-1. BYU has conceded a total of 1,810 yards rushing (150.8 yards per outing) as well as 23 touchdowns via the rush so far this season. This year, they have given up 292 points in total. They have given up 11 touchdowns from the passing game and 235.5 yards/outing, ranking them 77th in college football. The Cougars defense has taken part in 815 plays, which is good for 53rd in the country.

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

Josh's Pick: Take the Cougars -8.5

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