It has not been a good couple of weeks on the road for the UAB football team and returning home could not have come at a better time as the Blazers hope to end a two-game skid against defending C-USA champion UTSA, Saturday, Nov. 5, at Protective Stadium in Birmingham.

Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. on Stadium.

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So how do the teams match up? Here is AL.com’s position-by-position breakdown for UAB’s showdown with the Roadrunners:

Quarterback

Dylan Hopkins missed last week’s loss at FAU but is expected back this week, barring any setback before kickoff. The junior has completed 67.2 percent of his passes for 1,233 yards, 7 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, and has not hesitated in tucking the ball and running in recent games, although it also resulted in the quarterback suffering a concussion at Western Kentucky.

Jacob Zeno played admirably in Hopkins’ stead, leading the Blazers on a possible game-winning, fourth-quarter drive against the Hilltoppers after being thrust into action and was 18-of-34 for 192 yards and touchdown at FAU, adding 48 yards rushing on 6 attempts.

The Roadrunners ride and die on the talents and late-game exploits of senior Frank Harris, inarguably the best quarterback in the league and frontrunner for C-USA Offensive Player of the Year. The San Antonio native leads an offense ranked 15 in the nation in total offense (489.8 ypg) and seventh in passing offense (330.4 ypg). He has completed 68.9 percent of passes this season, amassing 2,538 yards, 17 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, and is always a threat to make a play with his legs, rushing for 319 yards and 5 touchdowns. Advantage: UTSA

Running back

Regardless of circumstance, DeWayne McBride continues to do anything in his power to carry the Blazers to victory. The junior running back was recently named a Maxwell Award semifinalist and leads the nation in yards per game (163.7), amassing 1,146 yards and 12 touchdowns. McBride has appeared in seven games this season, missing the opener due to illness, but has rushed for at least 120 yards in all seven games played.

Hopkins and Zeno provide an additional element for a rushing offense ranked fourth in the nation (247.4 ypg), but Jermaine Brown Jr. is the X-Factor for UAB’s dominant run game. The junior is the only other running back to receive a carry in the last two games and has 496 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground this season, as well as 11 receptions for 78 yards in the passing game.

Considering UTSA’s all-time leading rusher Sincere McCormick wrapped up a special career with eh Roadrunners and offense transitioned more around Harris and the passing game due to his departure. Despite the loss of McCormick, UTSA continues to have a strong rushing game powered by a duo of senior running backs and Harris’ fleet of foot.

Brenden Brady owns a 39.3 percent share of rushing attempts and 40.5 percent of UTSA’s rushing production, amassing 517 yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground and 175 yards on 16 receptions, additionally throwing a 35-yard touchdown pass to Zakhari Franklin. Arkansas transfer Trelon Smith has rushed 51 times for 181 yards and 2 touchdowns as the secondary option and true freshman Kevorian Barnes has produced 202 yards and 2 touchdowns on 36 attempts. Advantage: UAB

Receiver/tight end

UAB’s receivers often take a backseat to the rushing game but are starting to make larger contributions in all areas of the passing attack. T.J. Jones has developed beyond his initial outside role into an all-around player for the Blazers, hauling in a team-high 23 receptions for 189 yards and scoring his first touchdown last week on a jet sweep.

Trea Shropshire and Tejhaun Palmer have the ability to take the top off most defenses and have brought down 18 catches each, Shropshire leading the duo with a team-high 449 yards and 2 touchdowns and the latter adding 276 yards and a score. Dexter Boykin, along with Samario Rudolph and Fred Farrier II, have all seen a rise in targets the last few weeks.

The Blazers are not getting the contributions they did last year from the tight ends, but the unit of Terrell McDonald, Bryce Damous, Brody Dalton and Maleak Bryant are doing plenty of dirty work in the trenches. UAB’s tight ends have combined for 16 receptions for 154 yards and 3 touchdowns this season, McDonald leading the group with 2 touchdowns.

The Roadrunners have a senior trio of receivers that is one of the best in the nation, all three hauling in at least 50 receptions for 675 yards and 3 touchdowns, and Harris has no worries with whomever he targets in the passing game. The trio has accounted for 78.3 percent of receptions (166), 79.4 percent of receiving yards (2,099) and all but one receiving touchdown.

Joshua Cephus leads the team in receptions (61) and yards (692), adding 3 receiving touchdowns and a rushing score, De’Corian Clark has 50 catches for 732 yards and a team-leading 8 touchdowns receptions, and Zakhari Franklin has 55 receptions for 675 yards and 7 touchdowns. Along with UTSA’s high-volume receiving trio, tight end Dan Dishman has contributed 7 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown, and Oscar Cardenas, who caught the game-winning touchdown against the Blazers last season, has 13 receptions for 174 yards. Advantage: UTSA

Offensive line

UAB’s offensive line still has a penchant for false starts and the occasional holding penalty, but have powered the Blazers this season in ranking fourth in rushing offense and 33rd in total offense (437.5 ypg), giving up 13 sacks (1.6) this season.

Left tackle Kadeem Telfort missed a couple of games early in the season but has not missed a start since the MTSU win. The rest of the line has remained intact through the year with left guard Matt Trehern, center Will Rykard, right guard Quincy McGee and right tackle Sidney Wells. Trey Bedosky has started two games this season, in place of Telfort, and is a primary blocker, along with backup center Brady Wilson, in UAB’s Rhino packages.

The Roadrunners have one of the more experienced offensive lines in the conference, especially with a senior trio working along the interior, but have given up 17 sacks while helping produce the 60th–ranked rushing offense in the nation (159.4 ypg). Ahofitu Maka, a three-year starter, anchors the line at center and has allowed only 2 sacks in almost 1,300 snaps. Right guard Kevin Davis and left guard Terrell Haynes are multi-year starters and combined for 77 in their career.

The tackle positions have seen some shuffling this season, primarily on the right side. Ernesto Almaraz and Frankie Martinez have alternated at right guard, due to an injury to senior Makai Hart. Sophomores Venly Tatafu and Walker Baty have manned right tackle this season, the latter starting the last two games at FIU and at home against North Texas. Advantage: Even

Defensive line

UAB is ranked 23 in total defense (328.2 ypg), but is less than optimal this season in ranking 85th in rushing defense (156.8 ypg). The skew in defensive allowance is partly because of a secondary that strikes fear into opposing offenses and the Blazers developing new additions to its defensive line.

Fish McWilliams and Isiah Forte are now leading the interior linemen and have aided in its rapid growth this season. McWilliams has 20 tackles (3.5 for loss) and 1.5 sacks, and Forte has 19 tackles (1 for loss). Drew Tuazama is the primary beneficiary of their tutelage, racking up 19 tackles (2.5 for loss) and 2.5 sacks, along with JUCO transfer Tyrique Howard. Michael Fairbanks II is excelling after taking over full-time duty at SAM defensive end, tallying 24 tackles (1.5 for loss) and 1/2 sack.

The Roadrunners operate out of a traditional 3-4 base and the defensive line provides a stabilizing front for a unit ranked 103rd in the nation in total defense (419.4 ypg). UTSA’s rush defense is allowing 150.4 ypg and 5.5 of its 13 sacks have come from the defensive line.

Junior Asyrus Simon and N.C. State transfer Nick Booker-Brown are the starting bookends, combining for 33 tackles (5.5 for loss), 2.5 sacks and 4 pass breakups, and Trumane Bell II and Jimmori Robinson round out the rotation. Bell has 15 tackles (4.5 for loss) and a sack while Robinson has 18 tackles (1 for loss).

The interior tackle position features senior Lamonte McDougle and sophomore Brandon Brown, the former of which has started every game at the nose and collected12 tackles (3.5 for loss) and 1.5 sacks this season. McDougle is not a drop-off when sliding into the game, racking up 12 tackles (2.5 for loss) and 1/2 sack. Advantage: Even

Linebackers

Noah Wilder moved into fourth place (305) on UAB’s all-time tackles list last week and is now 16 tackles away from third place. The senior MIKE linebacker makes the calls for a suffocating defense and leads the team with 77 tackles (2.5 for loss), 2 pass breakups and a forced fumble and recovery.

Tyler Taylor has started every game alongside Wilder and is prominent in pass defense and run support, notching 51 tackles (4.5 for loss), 1.5 sacks and an interception. Jackson Bratton and Reynard Ellis have played exceptionally well behind Taylor and Wilder, combining for 35 tackles on the season.

Kelle Sanders is quietly having a great season at JACK, totaling 33 tackles (3 for loss), 3 sacks and a fumble recovery, and Nikia Eason Jr. and Kyle Harrell are back in regular rotation after battling early-season injuries. Eason has 8 tackles (3 for loss) and a sack in 7 games, and Harrell has produced 6 tackles (1.5 for loss) and 1.5 sacks in six games.

UTSA’s linebacker corps consists of five of its top 10 tackle leaders and it begins at JACK with Jamal Ligon. The junior leads the team with 51 tackles (2.5 for loss) and gets a breather from sophomore Martavius French, contributing 16 tackles.

Trevor Harmanson directs the defense from the MIKE position, ranking third on the team with 41 tackles (4 for loss), 1/2 sack and 2 pass breakups, along with Avery Morris, who has 16 tackles (1 for loss), an interception, a pass breakup and a blocked kick. Dadrian and Donyai Taylor share the SAM role for the Roadrunners and have combined for 43 tackles (5.5 for loss) and a sack each. True freshman Trey Moore has settled in nicely at WILL, recording 28 tackles (7 for loss) and a team-high 4 sacks. Advantage: UAB

Secondary

The strength of UAB is its pass defense, ranking ninth in yards allowed (171.5) and fourth in pass efficiency defense (104.69). The Blazers have faced four high-volume passing offenses this season — Georgia Southern (No. 4), Western Kentucky (No. 11), Charlotte (No. 33) and MTSU (No. 51) — and held each one to season lows in passing yards and touchdowns, allowing 185.5 ypg and 3 touchdowns while forcing 6 interceptions.

Jaylen Key has turned an eye-opening fall camp into a stellar season, manning both the backend at safety and filling in for Keondre Swoopes, and leads the secondary with 33 tackles (1.5 for loss) and 2 interceptions. The latter has missed only one game, producing 31 tackles, 3 pass breakups and a pick in his seven starts at the STAR position. Grayson Cash is playing at a high-level and returning to his playmaking ways, amassing 28 tackles (2 for loss) and a sack, 3 pass breakups and 3 interceptions.

Starling Thomas V has started every at cornerback this season, racking up 18 tackles and 10 pass breakups, and Devodric Bynum is putting together a solid season with 18 tackles (2.5 for loss) and 6 pass breakups. Colby Dempsey has performed well as of late and CD Daniels provides plenty of experience in the rotation.

Starting corner Mac McWilliams was injured at Western Kentucky and did not play last week, and is considered day-to-day. Along with McWilliams, safeties Will Boler and Damien Miller also missed last week’s contest and are considered day-to-day. McWilliams is having an all-conference season, notching 19 tackles, 10 pass breakups and a pick-6, and Boler and Miller are valuable cogs in the backend of the secondary.

The Roadrunners are not the most adept at defending the pass this season and, despite a senior-laden secondary, rank 111th in the nation in passing yards allowed (269 ypg). UTSA has brought down only 4 interceptions, 3 belonging to the secondary, and is missing a key piece in senior leader and injured safety Rashad Wisdom.

The cornerback rotation employs an experienced trio in seniors Corey Mayfield and West Virginia transfer Nicktroy Fortune and junior Dywan Griffin. Mayfield leads the group with 35 tackles (1 for loss), 8 pass breakups and a team-high 2 interceptions. Fortune has 26 tackles (4 for loss) and 4 pass breakups, and Griffin has contributed 9 tackles and the only other interception in the secondary.

Senior Clifford Chattman leads the backend at free safety, notching 45 tackles (1 for loss) and a team-high 9 pass breakups, and junior Ken Robinson serves as the backup, producing 15 tackles and 2 pass breakups. With Wisdom expected to miss his second straight game, senior Kelechi Nwachuku is set to make his third start this season after racking up 28 tackles. Advantage: UAB

Special Teams

For all its mistakes, UAB is still more than capable of winning the field position battle with its special teams unit. Kyle Greenwell averages 45.3 yards per punt, knocking back 8 kicks of more than 50 yards and forcing 8 fair catches, 5 touchbacks, and 7 punts downed inside the 20-yard line. Reese Burkhardt is a semiautomatic touchback machine on kickoffs and Matt Quinn is 8-for-13 on field goals, with a long of 51 yards.

Similar to UAB, the Roadrunners have one of the more solid special teams units in the league. Jared Sackett is 9-for-13 on field goal attempts, knocking back a long of 49 yards, and has produced touchbacks on half of his kickoffs. Lucas Dean has only punted 25 times this season and averages 44.8 yards per kick, forcing 6 fair catches and 2 touchbacks and downing 10 kicks inside the 20-yard line. Chris Carpenter is a threat on kickoffs, having already returned one 97 yards for a touchdown. Advantage: Even

Coaching

Jeff Traylor has turned the UTSA program into a perennial conference title contender in only three short years and has the Roadrunners in position to compete at a high level once entering the American next season. Bryant Vincent has the UAB defense playing up to standard and the offense nearing school records, but turnovers and lapses in focus have spoiled what could have been another league title season. Despite a 4-4 record, the Blazers were in a position to win each game that they lost and only 21 total points separate them from a perfect record. Advantage: UTSA

Overall

The Blazers have an opportunity to rectify their season against the defending conference champions and getting UTSA at home is a welcome sight on the schedule. UAB is 6-0 at Protective Stadium since starting out 1-2 in the first three games and 28-3 in Birmingham since returning to competition in 2017. A good home crowd and possible rain showers could ground the Roadrunners and allow the Blazers to rely on its bruising rushing attack and lockdown defense. Advantage: UAB