Alabama-Birmingham vs Louisiana-Monroe Picks and Prediction – 9/7/2024

On Saturday, the UAB Blazers (1-0) face off against the UL Monroe Warhawks (1-0) at Malone Stadium in Monroe, Louisiana. Get the rest of our free college football picks here!

UL Monroe comes into this matchup on a one-game winning streak, but has dropped four of their last five games dating back to last year. During the previous season, quarterback Jiya Wright accumulated 1,246 yards through the air, showcasing his proficiency in passing. Complimenting him, running back Hunter Smith contributed 507 yards on the ground, highlighting his capability in the rushing game. Wide receiver Tyrone Howell also played a substantial role, amassing 590 receiving yards for the Warhawks. However, the team's defense struggled considerably in their final five matchups of the season, allowing an average of 38 points per game. This defensive vulnerability was a significant factor in UL Monroe concluding the season with a disappointing overall record of 2-10. Despite last season's challenges, including an average scoring of merely 17.3 points per game, UL Monroe has started the new season on a positive note with a victory in their opening game. The Warhawks are now aiming to maintain this momentum, with aspirations of achieving a bowl game appearance and significantly improving their win tally compared to the previous year.

UAB enters this game on a one-game winning streak and has won three of their last five games dating back to last season. In a commanding 41-3 victory over Alcorn State, Blazers quarterback Jacob Zeno completed 23 out of 33 passes, racking up 215 yards and throwing for 2 touchdowns. Reflecting on his performance from the previous season, Zeno had an impressive 3,126 passing yards. Accompanying him in the offensive duties, running back Jermaine Brown Jr. contributed 803 rushing yards, while wide receiver Tejhaun Palmer added 858 receiving yards. However, the team's defense struggled during the final five games of last season, allowing an average of 37.4 points per game and finishing with a 4-8 overall record. This defensive lapse contributed to UAB's overall disappointing 4-8 record. This season, the Blazers are aiming to capitalize on UL Monroe's poor performance from last year in hopes of securing a crucial road win. Despite their defensive challenges, UAB managed to average 29.9 points per game through the season, showcasing their offensive potential.

UAB is entering this game with a specific goal: they are determined to secure their first road victory, something they couldn't achieve last season. In their previous campaign, UAB struggled significantly on the road, losing all six of their away games. On the other hand, UL Monroe managed to find some success at home, winning their only two games of the season at home. As the new season unfolds, both teams are eager to put their disappointing past performances behind them and demonstrate that they've made significant improvements. They are each aiming to show their fans and critics alike that this season will be markedly different. UL Monroe may have the home-field advantage, but I believe a streak will be broken in this one. Final Score Prediction, UAB Blazers win on the road but fail to cover the spread 31-24.