The Liberty Flames and UAB Blazers clash in week 2 college football action at Williams Stadium on Saturday. The UAB Blazers look for another win after rocking Alabama A&M in their opener. The Liberty Flames look for another win after beating Southern Miss in 4 overtimes.
The UAB Blazers have won 4 of their last 5 road games. Dylan Hopkins is completing 72.2 percent of his passes for 191 yards, 1 touchdown and 0 interceptions. Tejhaun Palmer and TJ Jones have combined for 112 receiving yards on 8 catches, while Samario Rudolph has 2 receptions. The UAB Blazers ground game is averaging 240 yards per contest, and Jermaine Brown Jr. leads the way with 114 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, UAB is allowing 0 points and 240 yards per game. Noah Wilder leads the UAB Blazers with 9 tackles, Reise Collier has 1 sack and Mac McWilliams has 1 interception.
The Liberty Flames have won 4 of their last 6 home games. Kaidon Salter is completing 61.5 percent of his passes for 148 yards, 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Demario Douglas and CJ Yarbrough have combined for 133 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns, while Caleb Snead has 3 receptions. The Liberty Flames ground game is averaging 244 yards per contest, and Salter leads the way with 65 yards on 9 carries. Defensively, Liberty is allowing 27 points and 391 yards per game. Ahmad Walker leads the Liberty Flames with 8 tackles, Stephen Sings V has 1 sack and Durrell Johnson has 1 interception.
The Blazers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road games and 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall. The Flames are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 home games and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The over is 5-2 in Blazers last 7 games overall. The over is 5-2-1 in Flames last 8 games overall.
The UAB Blazers are probably the more talented team, and they’re a well coached side that’s proven over the years they can get the job done on the road. You can understand why they’re favored here. However, the Liberty Flames still returned a respectable amount of players from last year’s roster, and they still have a playmaker at quarterback. No, Salter isn’t Malik Willis, but he can make plays both through the air and on the feet. I wouldn’t sleep on Liberty in this game, even in an outright victory. I’ll snag the free touchdown.