The South Florida Bulls and the UAB Blazers meet Saturday in college football action from Protective Stadium. USF just finished up a matchup versus Navy over the weekend. In that one the Bulls won by two touchdowns. As for UAB, they last played Tulane back on Saturday. The Blazers went on to fall again, this time by 12 points. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

South Florida Bulls 

The Bulls got off to a 2-2 start over their first four games this year. The two losses came versus Western Kentucky 41-24 and Alabama 17-3. Otherwise the two wins were over Florida A&M 38-24 and Rice 42-29. In the win over the Owls, USF quarterback Byrum Brown threw for 435 yards and a pair of scores. 

In last weekend’s matchup against Navy, the Bulls scored in every quarter—and also coughed up points in every quarter—in a 44-30 victory. Brown managed 338 yards and three touchdowns this time, and K’Wan Powell led the rush with 48 yards. Sean Atkins caught four balls for 116 yards and two touchdowns as well. 

South Florida Bulls Team Facts

South Florida has lost 19 of its last 20 road games.
The underdog has covered the spread in each of South Florida’s last four games.
South Florida has lost the first half in 10 of its last 13 games against conference opponents.
Eight of South Florida’s last nine October games as a road favorite against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.

UAB Blazers 

Over on the Blazers’ side, they managed a 35-6 opener win over North Carolina A&T this year. The next three games were all rough losses though. First came a 49-35 result versus Georgia Southern, then a 41-21 loss to Louisiana. Game four was an unenviable matchup against Georgia and a 49-21 defeat. 

In the Tulane game the Blazers did a good job in the first half and went into the locker room up 20-14. UAB was outscored 21-3 from there however and ended up with a loss 35-23. Jacob Zeno threw for 236 yards, and Isaiah Jacobs had 95 rushing yards and a pair of scores. Amare Thomas put up 99 yards receiving off eight catches. 

UAB Blazers Team Facts

UAB has won 20 of its last 22 home games against conference opponents.
The road team has covered the spread in each of UAB’s last three games.
UAB has lost the first half in four of its last five home games against conference opponents.
Each of UAB’s last six October games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

UAB ranked 10th among FBS teams for Q4 points allowed per game last season (4.3).
UAB was one of only 14 FBS teams to lose 3+ games when leading at HT last season.
South Florida was one of only two FBS teams to lose 5+ games when leading after Q1 last season.
South Florida was one of only six FBS teams to lose 4+ games when leading after Q1 last season.

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to stay with South Florida. The Bulls did a pretty good job against Navy in their win over the weekend, however there are still plenty of areas to improve upon. USF had 435 total yards (338 passing) and 24 first downs but also lost three fumbles. Defensively South Florida gave up 240 rushing yards but only 11 first downs. The Bulls have scored 38 or more points in each of their three wins this year, so getting off to a fast start here will be key. 

As for UAB, they held Tulane to just 3-of-10 on third downs and came up with a couple of fumble recoveries. The offense really lost steam after halftime, though. I like the Blazers to hang around in this one with USF eventually powering out the cover.