Owls vs Blazers College Football Lines
The Rice Owls will look to improve to 8-3 overall, and 6-1 in the conference. A win in Birmingham and the Owls will gain a half gain lead in the Conference USA West division over the North Texas Mean Green.
Rice Owls (7-3) vs UAB Blazers (2-8)
When: Thursday, November 21st, 2013, 7:30 PM ET
Where: Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama
Broadcast: Fox Sports 1
Spread: Rice -19
O/U: 62
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Rice Owls
After suffering a tough loss on Halloween to the North Texas Mean Green (a game in which may cost them a chance to play in the Conference USA Championship Game) the Owls did bounce back nicely with an emphatic win over the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at home 52-14.
The Rice Owls are led by Senior Halfback Charles Ross. Ross matched a Conference USA record with 5 rushing touchdowns versus the Bulldogs last week. Ross has been a huge weapon and a big reason for the Owls’ success this season. In the 8 games Ross has played this year he went over 100 yards in 6 of those games, including versus the Texas A&M Aggies where he ran for 107 yards and three rushing touchdowns.
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As a team, Rice average 427 yards a game on offense. They throw for 185 passing yards, run for 242 rushing, and average 31 points a game. On the defensive side, Rice allow 22 points a game, 373 total yards, 198 passing yards, and 175 rushing yards.
UAB Blazers
Meanwhile, on the otherside, UAB has scored 25 points per game thrown for 209 yards a game, and have rushed for 185 a game.
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On the defensive side, it’s been a bit rough. They’ve allowed a whopping 42 points a game, which has been good for over 500 yards of total offense, they given up 280 yards in the air, and 222 yards on the ground.
On the surface, it’s rough for UAB, but they had to deal with two SEC schools in the LSU Tigers and the Vanderbilt Commodores (both games in which they allowed over 50 points. 56 and 52 points respectively). So, their defense isn’t as bad as what it may be statistically. Against teams on their level they are a bit better.
In UAB’s three home games they haven’t done too badly, though. UAB beat Northwester State on September 21st, and they were competitive in losses versus Florida Atlantic (UAB lost 37-24), and Middle Tennessee (UAB lost 24-21).
Danny’s FREE College Football Pick:
This is a game in which home field plays a big part. The Rice Owls are 3-2 on the road and in two of those wins they’ve won by three and six. This is a game in which 19 points might be a bit too high. Meanwhile, UAB is a better team at home. Plus, this is short week game for both teams.
Both played this past Saturday and now have a short-ish week playing this Thursday. Given that both teams are coming to play on a short week, I think both teams might get out of the gates a bit slow.
Plus, both teams will run the ball, especially Rice, I expect this game to fall on the under side, as well.
Pick: UAB +19, Under 62
Prediction: Rice Owls 38 – UAB Blazers 21
