UAB Blazers (1-0) vs. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (1-0)
September 7, 2024 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks +12.5 / UAB Blazers -12.5; Over/Under: -
(Get latest betting odds)
The UAB Blazers and the LA-Monroe Warhawks meet on Saturday in college football action from Malone Stadium. Here’s an LA-Monroe vs UAB prediction. We will be looking at this from a betting perspective and determining the best LA-Monroe vs UAB pick.
UAB Blazers Betting Preview
Last year the Blazers managed to go 4-8 overall with a 3-5 run in AAC play. UAB would land in the bottom half of the standings with that conference mark, ahead of Florida Atlantic, Charlotte, Tulsa, Temple, and East Carolina.
In their first action of the 2024 season, the Blazers took on the Alcorn State Braves. UAB had very few issues in that opener, scoring in every quarter on the way to a 41-3 blowout win. QB Jacob Zeno finished with 215 yards, two TDs, and a pick. Lee Beebe added 15 carries for 82 yards and two scores.
LA-Monroe Warhawks
Over on the LA-Monroe side, they had a worse season in 2023, going just 2-10 overall. The Warhawks came up empty in Sun Belt play also, going 0-8 for a last-place finish in the West Division.
The Warhawks got their season started with a matchup versus the Jackson State Tigers last Thursday. LA-Monroe outscored the Tigers 9-0 in the final quarter to cap off a 30-14 win. General Booty threw for 104 yards and one TD, while Ahmad Hardy had a good day on the ground with 19 carries for 103 yards and a score.
Why the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks will win
- Louisiana-Monroe has won each of its last six home games against non-conference opponents.
- UAB has lost each of its last six road games.
- UAB has failed to cover the spread in nine of its last 10 road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- The home team has covered the spread in seven of UAB’s last eight games.
- UAB has lost the first half in each of its last three road games against non-conference opponents.
Why the UAB Blazers will win
- Louisiana-Monroe has lost each of its last nine games as an underdog.
- The favorite has won 11 of Louisiana-Monroe’s last 12 games.
- The favorite has covered the spread in six of UAB’s last seven games.
- Louisiana-Monroe has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Louisiana-Monroe has lost the first half in 26 of its last 31 games against non-conference opponents.
- UAB has won the first quarter in nine of its last 11 games against opponents from the Sun Belt Conference.
Total Points Facts
- Nine of Louisiana-Monroe’s last 10 September home games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of UAB’s last five road games against opponents from the Sun Belt Conference has gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Louisiana-Monroe ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q1 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- Louisiana-Monroe ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- UAB ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- UAB ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
LA-Monroe vs UAB Prediction
I’m going to stick with UAB. The Blazers drilled an overmatched Alcorn State team in their opener, bagging 517 total yards (302 rushing) and 32 first downs. On defense UAB was also great, giving up just 177 total yards (60 passing) and 12 first downs. The Blazers did have a few mistakes however, including three turnovers (two fumbles) and 10 penalties.
As for LA-Monroe, they weren’t spectacular through the air (132 pass yards) but made up for it with 204 rush yards and 34:49 in time of possession. The Warhawks will likely need to be a little less one-dimensional in this matchup, and in the end, I think UAB powers out the cover.
