By The Numbers: UAB vs. Miami

The UAB Blazers head to Dade County to take on the Miami Hurricanes live on ESPN, the only college football game on the scheduled on Thursday evening.

The Blazers picked up a 45-35 win last Thursday night in Birmingham at Legion Field over the Central Arkansas Bears. Starting quarterback Tyler Johnston III was 17/25 for 143 yards with two touchdowns and one interception before being replaced by Bryson Lucero (7/9, 83 yards, 1 TD). The Blazers averaged just 5.5 yards per play against their FCS opponent, but limited CAU to just 4.4 yards per snap offensively.

For the Hurricanes, new offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee brings a spread scheme, and senior transfer quarterback D’Eriq King steps in as the signal caller in Coral Gables. King threw for 4,925 yards and 50 TD’s and 10 INT’s during four seasons at the University of Houston, as well as another 1421 and 28 TD’s rushing. He’s considered a candidate for the Heisman Trophy, and will look to be the spark plug the ‘Canes offense lacked last season.

For a deeper dive about the X’s and O’s of the game, check out our game film preview here.

UAB Blazers (1-0, 0-0 C-USA) vs. Miami Hurricanes (0-0, 0-0 ACC)

Where: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.
When: 8:00 p.m.
TV: ESPN

Odds at DraftKings Sportsbook

Spread: UAB vs. Miami -14.5
Total: Over/Under 55
Money Line: UAB +525, Miami -770

SP+ Ranking

UAB: 66 (119 offense, 28 defense)
Miami: 23 (56 offense, 10 defense)

Returning Production

UAB

Overall: 81% (8 of 130 FBS)
Offense: 82%
Defense: 80%
Coaching Staff: New TE coach
Offense: 9 starters returning, including QB (Tyler Johnston III)
Defense: 9 starters returning
Offensive line games started: 52

Miami

Overall: 55% (91 of 130 FBS)
Offense: 59%
Defense: 50%
Coaching Staff: New OC (Rhett Lashlee), OL, & WR coach
Offense: 7 starters returning, new QB (D’Eriq King, transfer from Houston)
Defense: 4 starters returning
Offensive line games started: 65

Team Talent via 247 Sports Composite

UAB: 94th of 130
Miami: 18th of 130

Championship Odds

UAB: National Champion +100000, C-USA Champion N/A
Miami: National Champion +8000, ACC Champion +1000

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