Analyze today's football matchup between UAB and Houston by the numbers and it's easy to see why the Blazers are in the neighborhood of two-touchdown underdogs.
Houston's offensive numbers are a bit staggering. The Cougars average 514 yards per game and are coming off a 748-yard effort against Rice.
UAB's defensive numbers don't match. The Blazers allow 471.5 yards per game and yielded 695 yards earlier this season in a loss at Tulsa. The Cougars defensive numbers are rather pedestrian - 374.2 yards and 33.3 points per game - but UAB's offense hasn't exactly sizzled. The Blazers average 327.7 yards per game and are the only Conference USA team with more field goals (16) than offensive touchdowns (10).
So UAB head coach Neil Callaway is searching for some equalizers in the C-USA game that kicks off at 6 p.m. at Legion Field.
How about turnovers and special teams?
Callaway said earlier this week that his team's turnover margin "has really helped us" and special teams have "really benefited us."
UAB (2-4 overall, 1-1 C-USA) needs both those areas to be positive today.
We'll start with turnovers.
UAB has caused 12 turnovers this season and turned the ball over eight times.
The plus-four in the turnover margin trails only East Carolina and Memphis in C-USA.
Houston (3-3, 2-1) is susceptible to turnovers. Houston has thrown 11 interceptions, lost nine fumbles and have caused just nine turnovers.
The minus-11 difference is tied for last in C-USA with UCF. But Houston is explosive enough offensively to overcome the turnovers. The Cougars had five turnovers last week against Rice yet still scored 56 points to win.
Special teams will also be a huge factor for the Blazers.
UAB's Swayze Waters has definitely been an asset. He's made 16-of-19 field goal attempts and leads the nation in field goals made per game (16.7). He leads C-USA in kick scoring at 9.8 points per game and averages 41.4 yards per punt.
The Blazers' kickoff and punt coverage also has been solid. UAB allows just 2.5 yards per punt return and leads the conference in kickoff coverage.
Reggie Jones has been solid on kickoff returns and Frantrell Forrest has been explosive in that area. Forrest averages 31.2 yards per return and had a 92-yard return for a touchdown last week against Tulane. Rashaud Slaughter filled in at punt returner when Kevin Sanders left with a leg injury and Slaughter had three returns for 54 yards.
Houston's offensive numbers are a bit staggering. The Cougars average 514 yards per game and are coming off a 748-yard effort against Rice.
UAB's defensive numbers don't match. The Blazers allow 471.5 yards per game and yielded 695 yards earlier this season in a loss at Tulsa. The Cougars defensive numbers are rather pedestrian - 374.2 yards and 33.3 points per game - but UAB's offense hasn't exactly sizzled. The Blazers average 327.7 yards per game and are the only Conference USA team with more field goals (16) than offensive touchdowns (10).
So UAB head coach Neil Callaway is searching for some equalizers in the C-USA game that kicks off at 6 p.m. at Legion Field.
How about turnovers and special teams?
Callaway said earlier this week that his team's turnover margin "has really helped us" and special teams have "really benefited us."
UAB (2-4 overall, 1-1 C-USA) needs both those areas to be positive today.
We'll start with turnovers.
UAB has caused 12 turnovers this season and turned the ball over eight times.
The plus-four in the turnover margin trails only East Carolina and Memphis in C-USA.
Houston (3-3, 2-1) is susceptible to turnovers. Houston has thrown 11 interceptions, lost nine fumbles and have caused just nine turnovers.
The minus-11 difference is tied for last in C-USA with UCF. But Houston is explosive enough offensively to overcome the turnovers. The Cougars had five turnovers last week against Rice yet still scored 56 points to win.
Special teams will also be a huge factor for the Blazers.
UAB's Swayze Waters has definitely been an asset. He's made 16-of-19 field goal attempts and leads the nation in field goals made per game (16.7). He leads C-USA in kick scoring at 9.8 points per game and averages 41.4 yards per punt.
The Blazers' kickoff and punt coverage also has been solid. UAB allows just 2.5 yards per punt return and leads the conference in kickoff coverage.
Reggie Jones has been solid on kickoff returns and Frantrell Forrest has been explosive in that area. Forrest averages 31.2 yards per return and had a 92-yard return for a touchdown last week against Tulane. Rashaud Slaughter filled in at punt returner when Kevin Sanders left with a leg injury and Slaughter had three returns for 54 yards.
