The UAB football team opened the conference slate with a second straight loss to Rice last week but have more than pride to play for as they return home for a two-game stand.

The Blazers face off against Middle Tennessee State in the annual Children’s Harbor homecoming game, Saturday, Oct. 8, at Protective Stadium in Birmingham.

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

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RELATED: UAB faces off against Middle Tennessee State for annual Children’s Harbor game

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

Quarterback

The Blazers finally got a chance to air it out this season but mistake and penalties eventually led to Rice pulling off its second straight win over UAB — the first conference opponent to do so since the Return. Dylan Hopkins threw for more than 200 yards for the first time this year, finishing 15-of-21 for 231 yards and 2 touchdowns, but hesitated on a short throw that was intercepted and threw a backward pass that was recovered by Rice in the end zone for a score.

Hopkins has amassed 661 yards and 4 touchdowns against 1 interception this season, adding a score on the ground, but is not yet the game-changing asset he was last year. With the running game powering the offense early and UAB taking its bye after only three games may have affected Hopkins’ rhythm to open the season, but the junior has an opportunity to take command against a defense ranked 121st in the nation in passing yards allowed (284.4 ypg) but stingy with 9 interceptions through five games.

As with all teams coached by Rick Stockstill, the passing game is the strength of the offense. The Blue Raiders are averaging 272.2 ypg through the air, ranking 40th in the nation, and Chase Cunningham is the man who pulls the trigger. The redshirt senior is completing 68.2 percent of passes this season, accumulating 1,368 yards and 8 touchdowns against 3 interceptions, and has 75 yards and 2 scores on the ground despite taking 11 sacks. Advantage: Even

Running back

Similar to death and taxes, UAB’s rushing attack is constant. Maybe even a little immortal. The Blazers have the nation’s 14th-ranked running game (221.5 ypg), leading Conference USA, and powered by the duo of DeWayne McBride and Jermaine Brown Jr.

McBride ranked 13 nationally in rushing yards (521) and leads the country in yards per game (173.1), more than 25 yards than the next player, national rushing yardage leader and Illinois running back Chase Brown (146.6 ypg). He is also ninth in yards per rush (6.95) and is currently the nation’s active leader in that category (7.2) and tied for 11th in NCAA history.

When McBride is not leveling defenders and racking up another 100-yard outing, Brown is cutting through open lanes and finding space in the passing game, amassing 264 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground and 64 yards on 6 catches. A.J. Gates made his season debut at Rice, although he did not have a rushing attempt, and Lee Witherspoon had 56 yards and 2 touchdowns in the first 3 games before missing last week.

Middle Tennessee State is not a run-heavy offense by design and currently ranks 113th in the nation in the running game (107.0 ypg). Sophomore Frank Peasant leads the rushing attack with 305 yards and 6 touchdowns, followed by Central Michigan transfer Darius Bracy, who has 114 total yards and 2 touchdowns on 31 touches. Terry Wilkins and A’Varius Sparrow have a combined 37 yards on 16 attempts, Sparrow adding 46 yards on 5 catches. Advantage: UAB

Receiver/tight end

The Blazers are starting to get their passing attack off the ground and have three receivers with at least 100 yards and four players with a touchdown reception. After hauling in a single catch in the first three games, Trea Shropshire had 4 receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown at Rice and has 6 catches for 121 yards on the season.

Tejhaun Palmer currently leads the team with 192 yards on 10 receptions and TJ Jones has a team-leading 14 catches for 104 yards. Ryan Davis and Samario Rudolph have combined for 10 catches and 140 yards in the slot, Rudolph adding a score, and Dexter Boykin has 3 receptions for 25 yards. Fred Farrier II has appeared in every game but has yet to haul in a catch.

Terrell McDonald has been performing well at tight end, blocking with impunity and leading the team in touchdown catches (2), and Bryce Damous had a 25-yard touchdown in the season opener. Maleak Bryant has appeared in every game but recorded a catch.

It goes without saying but a majority of the offensive production is in the hands of Middle Tennessee State’s receiving corps, a unit devoid of all tight ends but one on roster. Sophomore Jaylin Lane leads the pack, amassing 410 yards and a score on 21 receptions, and senior Izaiah Gathings has a team-high 33 catches for 272 yards.

Redshirt freshman Elijah Metcalf and junior DJ England are the deep threats and have combined for 327 yards on 12 receptions, scoring 2 touchdowns each. Metcalf is averaging 20.4 yards per catch while England has a whopping 36.8 yards per reception, albeit with only 5 catches on the year. Senior Yusuf Ali has 21 receptions for 166 yards and 2 touchdowns and Samford transfer AJ Toney has 8 catches for 46 yards. Marquel Tinsely, Bud Tolbert and Javonte Sherman have all recorded a catch this season. Advantage: MTSU

Offensive line

UAB’s offensive line continues to pave the way for McBride and Brown, ranking 16th in rushing offense (220.5 ypg), but has allowed 8 sacks through four games this season. Not all sacks can be attributed to the offensive line alone as Hopkins has attempted to extend plays far longer than necessary.

Outland Trophy nominee Kadeem Telfort did not start last week at Rice, Trey Bedosky taking up left tackle for the second time this season, but he did make his way into the game. Telfort is dealing with a minor injury but should be available against MTSU. Matthew Trehern went down for an extended period of time at Rice but is one of the toughest players on the team and is no worse for wear heading into the weekend. Will Rykard, Quincy McGee and Sidney Wells have not missed a start all year and gelling well on the right side of the line.

The Blue Raiders have given Cunningham enough time in the pocket to flourish this season but have allowed 11 sacks through 5 games and are not particularly adept at heavy run-blocking. Middle Tennessee State is set on the left side of the line but is still figuring out the best combination on the right.

Sophomore Sterling Porcher and redshirt junior Tyler Falrey have started every game for the Blue Raiders at left tackle and left guard, respectively, and senior Jordan Palmer anchors the middle at center. The latter missed two games early this season but returned last week in the loss to UTSA. Juniors Jahlil Ryles and Seth Falley continue to rotate at right guard and Jacqui Graham has missed one game at right tackle, Ethan Ellis subbing for the Miami contest. Advantage: UAB

Defensive line

The Blazers are currently ranked 80th in rushing defense (151.2 ypg) but it hasn’t exactly cost them games this season as turnovers and penalties can be directly attributed to both of their losses. Michael Fairbanks II leads the front at SAM defensive end, tallying 11 tackles (1.5 for loss) and 1/2 sack, and continues to impress with his versatility and durability in playing a majority of the defensive snaps.

Fish McWilliams and Isaiah Forte are plugging holes and keeping blockers occupied on the interior and McWilliams is having his best season on the Southside, notching 11 tackles (2.5 for loss) and 1/2 sack. Forte has 9 tackles (1 for loss) and behind him Drew Tuazama is making an early name for himself, putting up 11 tackles (1 for loss), a sack and a pass breakup. Tyrique Howard rounds out the regular rotation and Kevin Penn and Jalen Mayala have played two games each.

Middle Tennessee State operates out of a base 4-3 defense and it’s been working quite well as the Blue Raiders lead C-USA in rushing defense (107.8 ypg), good for 30th in the nation. While the tendency for a lot of programs is to allow outside linebackers to create the pass rush, Middle Tennessee State is freeing its defensive lineup to make plays, notching 13 of the team’s 16 total sacks.

Senior Jordan Ferguson is a legitimate player of the year candidate on defense, amassing 30 tackles (4 for loss), 3 sacks, 3 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles and a blocked kick, and sophomore Zaylin Wood, who has 15 tackles (4 for loss), 4 sacks, 2 pass breakups, a fumble recovery and interception, pairs well with the former to create a lethal bookend duo. Quindarius Dunnigan has been impressive on the edge as well, bringing in 14 tackles (5 for loss), 2.5 sacks and a pass breakup.

Marley Cook anchors the interior of the defensive line, collecting 10 tackles (4.5 for loss) and 3.5 sacks, and Jordan Branch and Ja’Kerrius Wyatt provide quality depth, combining for 20 tackles (2.5 for loss) and three turnovers. Advantage: MTSU

Linebackers

Noah Wilder is having an All-American season through four games, leading C-USA and tied for 12 in the nation with 42 tackles (1.5 for loss) and adding 3 quarterback hurries, 2 pass breakups and a forced fumble and recovery. The senior linebacker rose the UAB career ranks to ninth place (270) on the all-time tackles list last week and can move into seventh place with at least 7 tackles Saturday against MTSU.

Following an impressive season last year, Tyler Taylor has only improved this year and is devastating opponents who enter his personal space, logging the second-most stops on the team with 31 tackles (2 for loss), including a sack and an interception. Kelle Sanders is upholding the strong tradition at Jack linebacker set by NFL draftees Jordan Smith and Alex Wright and has 17 tackles (2 for loss), a team-leading 2 sacks, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery.

Reynard Ellis and Jackson Bratton provide quality depth behind Wilder and Taylor in the middle, combining for 19 tackles and Ellis adding 1/2 sack, and Reise Collier is a playmaker in the making, despite committing a crucial personal foul on a kickoff last week at Rice. Nikia Eason Jr. and Kyle Harrell have been hampered by injury at times early this season but are returning to form heading into the meat of the schedule.

The Blue Raiders are led by Devyn Curtis at Mike linebacker and Raquon Hartley at the Will position, where they have combined for 49 tackles (3 for loss) this season, and Towson transfer Christian Dixon has settled in nicely in the middle, producing 24 tackles (3 for loss) and 2 sacks. Drew Francis and Jalen Davis provide an additional pass rush at SAM, each collecting 18 tackles and Davis adding 4.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks and an interception.

Former UAB linebacker Jalen Rayam transferred to MTSU during the offseason and has played primarily on special teams, collecting 13 tackles (2 for loss) and 1/2 sack. Advantage: UAB

Secondary

The Blazers are ranked second nationally in pass efficiency defense (90.36), allowing opponents to complete only 51.2 percent of passes while collecting six interceptions, and rank 13th in passing yards allowed (161.8 ypg). Additionally, UAB has not allowed a pass of more than 46 yards and given up only 2 touchdowns through the air.

Safeties Grayson Cash and Jaylen Key lead the backend of the secondary, a group that includes senior Will Boler and Damien Miller. Cash has not only locked down his area of the field but played an important role in run support, racking up 19 tackles (1.5 for loss), a sack and a pass breakup. Key has 18 tackles and a team-leading 2 interceptions and Boler and Miller each have 9 tackles with Miller forcing 2 fumbles, recovering 1 on defense, and scoring on a blocked punt recovery in the end zone.

Keondre Swoopes is easily one of UAB’s best defenders at the star position and is adept at guarding the pass and playing in the box, producing 11 tackles, 3 pass breakups and an interception. Mac McWilliams has developed into a lockdown corner for the Blazers, posting 10 tackles, 5 pass breakups and a 78-yard interception return for a score, and Starling Thomas V is just as dangerous on the other side, notching 6 tackles and 3 pass breakups. Devodric Bynum is also playing at a high level this season, breaking up 3 passes, and along with CD Daniels, provides no drop-off behind McWilliams and Thomas.

While the Middle Tennessee State defense has dominated opponents on the ground, it is allowing 284.4 ypg through the air, ranking 121st in the nation. However, the Blue Raiders are a stingy bunch and have collected 9 interceptions this season, returning three for touchdowns.

Teldrick Ross leads the secondary from the strong safety position, producing a team-high 40 tackles (1 for loss) and a pass breakup, and is flanked by free safety Tra Fluellen, recording the second-most stops on the team with 31 tackles, including 2 pass breakups and an interception. Deidrick Stanley is tasked with providing run support from the backend and has 21 tackles (1 for loss), a sack and a pass breakup.

The Blue Raiders rotate three cornerbacks regularly, led by Jalen Jackson and Towson transfer Decorian Patterson. Jackson has 20 tackles (1.5 for loss) and 2 pass breakups and Patterson is the playmaker of the unit, amassing 26 tackles (1.5 for loss), 4 pass breakups and 4 interceptions. Deonte Stanley handles the slot, recording 13 tackles (1 for loss), a pass breakup and an interception. Advantage: UAB

Special Teams

The Blazers are as solid as they come on special teams and are often the victor of any field position battle. Kyle Greenwell is UAB’s best weapon in the war on average starting field position, averaging 45.8 yards on 15 punt attempts and keeping returns to a bare minimum with 4 touchbacks, 3 kicks downed inside the 20-yard line and 2 fair catches. Matt Quinn got back on track with a 43-yard field goal at Rice, after missing his two previous attempts inside 30 yards, and Reese Burkhardt has 15 touchbacks on 23 kickoff attempts.

Middle Tennessee State has excelled on special teams and the only weakness may be the ability to count to 12. Zeke Rankin is a perfect 6-for-6 on field goals this season but with only a long of 35 yards. Kyle Ulbrich is driving punts deep onto the other side of the field, averaging 43.7 yards and forcing 6 fair catches and 4 touchbacks and downing 7 kicks inside the 20-yard line. He has a long punt of 66 yards and 10 kicks of more than 50 yards. The Blue Raiders have also blocked a punt and recovered for a touchdown. Advantage: Even

Coaching

Bryant Vincent is 2-2 as UAB’s head coach but game planning and coaching have not exactly gotten the team beat this season. Turnovers, penalties and questionable rulings on the field have plagued the Blazers in the two losses, a total of 11 points separating them from a 4-0 record, but there is no reason to panic with their conference title goal still attainable. Rick Stockstill is the dean of coaches in C-USA, turning his team around since opening with a 44-7 loss at James Madison, and may still have some offensive magic up his sleeves.

Advantage: Even

Overall

Middle Tennessee State is playing at a level not seen since the 2018 season but the Blazers are playing for more than themselves as they honor Children’s Harbor patients with its alternative uniforms. UAB has not started 0-2 in league action since before the Return and that should start this week. Advantage: UAB