The nation gets its first look at a Power 5 conference football team this Thursday night as Miami hosts UAB. Fans also get a look at graduate transfer QB D’Eriq King, who electrified crowds in 2018 to the tune of 50 touchdowns (36 passing, 14 rushing).

The Blazers already have a game under their belts, a 45-35 win over FCS Central Arkansas. The final score is a bit misleading though as UAB gave up a fumble return touchdown and two late touchdowns after leading 45-21.

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Bill Clark’s Blazers are a veteran team - 18 starters return from the Conference USA West Division champs - and will not fear the Hurricanes. The smarter bettor should keep that in mind.

Game: UAB Blazers (1-0, 0-1 ATS) at Miami Hurricanes (0-0, 0-0 ATS)

When: 8:00 PM ET, Thursday, September 10, 2020

Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

Current Line: MIA -14 Total: 54.5

TV Coverage: ACC Network

For those not familiar with UAB, this is a program that wasn’t a program just four seasons ago. After the 2014 season, the school decided to cancel the football program. Tremendous support to bring it back led to the Blazers returning to the field in 2017.

Past Results

Clark and his team have been “blazing” ever since. The Blazers went 8-5 in 2017 and won Conference USA with an 11-3 record in 2018. UAB won its division last season but lost to Florida Atlantic in the conference title game finishing 9-5 overall.

UAB’s strength recently has been on defense. The Blazers will have their hands full with the dynamic King who transferred from Houston. He is the key to a revamped Miami offense that was not good in 2019.

New offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee is known for his wide-open spread attack. That plays right into the skill set of King as well as tight end Brevin Jordan and RB Cam’Ron Harris.

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The Hurricanes are hopeful their offensive line is improved over last year. All five starters return from a unit that allowed 51 sacks last season. That was the most among Power 5 programs in 2019.

Interestingly enough, UAB finished in the top 15 in the nation in several defensive statistical categories. One of those was sacks where the Blazers were 11th. They were 14th in tackles for loss and eighth in pass defense.

If you’re expecting King to just walk all over UAB, that might not happen. Remember, you have a first-year quarterback in a new system installed by a first-year offensive coordinator. It will take some time to work out some kinks and could provide some value on your sports picks. Plus, the Hurricanes are going up against a defense that is pretty good, even though its a Group of 5 defense.

UAB has been one of the better bets in college football over the past two seasons. They are 18-11 ATS in their last 29 games. The Blazers have also played well enough in their last six road games to cover the spread in four of them.

Miami’s offense will be improved over last season. UAB’s defense will not be intimidated and will give the ‘Canes some problems. In the end, it will be just enough to cover that two-touchdown spread.

NCAAFB Free Pick: UAB +14

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