MTSU football vs. UAB: Scouting report, score prediction for pivotal C-USA game

Cecil Joyce, Murfreesboro Daily News Journal
·3 min read

Middle Tennessee State's football team will try to rebound from a Conference USA-opening loss to Texas San-Antonio when it travels to Birmingham, Alabama, to play UAB on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, Varsity Network).

The Blue Raiders (3-2, 0-1 C-USA) dropped a 45-30 decision to the Roadrunners on Friday night while the Blazers (2-2, 0-1) lost 28-24 to Rice in a league game last Saturday.

It will be a big game for C-USA standings, with the loser falling to 0-2 in league play.

Following is a scouting report, including a score prediction by The Daily News Journal's Cecil Joyce:

First meeting since 2018

The last time MTSU and UAB met was in the Conference USA championship game in 2018, won by the Blazers 27-25. The two teams had played a week earlier to end the regular season, with the Blue Raiders winning 27-3.

That was just two seasons after football was reinstated at UAB after the program was shut down in 2015-16.

The two teams were scheduled to play in 2020, but it was one of many games canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The all-time series between the two teams is knotted at 4-4.

More:How MTSU's Chase Cunningham went from 'too small' to giant killer

Blazers not lacking in offense

UAB enters the game averaging 33 points and 401 yards a game.

The Blazers have a fairly balanced offense but like to keep it on the ground, where they're averaging 220 yards a game.

UAB junior running back Dewayne McBride is one of the league's best with 75 rushes for 521 yards and six touchdowns in only three games, having missed the season opener with an injury.

The 5-foot-11, 215-pound McBride had 400 yards and five touchdowns combined in his first two games before rushing for 121 yards and one TD in last week's loss to Rice.

UAB redshirt junior quarterback Dylan Hopkins, who led Maryville High to two state titles, is 50-of-73 for 661 yards, four TDs and one interception. He has thrown to 11 different receivers thus far.

More:Former MTSU great Kevin Byard has jersey retired

MTSU players run onto the field before the start of the game against UTSA on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, in Floyd Stadium at MTSU.
MTSU players run onto the field before the start of the game against UTSA on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022, in Floyd Stadium at MTSU.

UAB defense played well in loss

The Blazers defense has played well all season, particularly in last week's loss to Rice.

UAB allowed just 211 yards to the Owls, but turnovers (two) and penalties (12 for 116 yards) were costly to the Blazers, who blew a 17-7 halftime lead.

For the season, the Blazers are allowing 313 yards and just 17.5 points a contest. UAB is allowing just 168 yards through the air per contest.

Cunningham's two-week stretch one for the books

MTSU quarterback Chase Cunningham has had a massive two weeks.

After throwing for 408 yards and three TDs in a 45-31 win over Miami, Cunningham followed it up by completing 35-of-56 for 368 yards and a TD in the loss to UTSA. The attempts are tied for second in program history and the completions are third all-time for a single game.

Cunningham has already thrown for 1,368 yards and eight touchdowns in five games.

Score prediction

MTSU 31, UAB 27: The Blue Raiders are playing very well on offense and should be able to dent what has been a good Blazers defense. The game will likely come down to which defense can make the crucial stop late.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: MTSU football vs. UAB score prediction, scouting report for C-USA game