WHAT: UAB vs. FAU

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 29 — 6 p.m. CDT

WHERE: FAU Stadium — Boca Raton, Florida

SERIES: FAU leads, 5-3

TV: CBS Sports Network

LINE: UAB at -5.5

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE

If the Blazers can get the turnover monkey off their back and win a road game for the first time this season. All three losses were one-possession games and only 14 points separate UAB from a perfect record.

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Turn the Beat Around. The Blazers have given up 10 turnovers away from home while forcing only three takeaways, resulting in a minus-3 turnover margin and a 0-3 record on the road. DeWayne McBride is responsible for four fumbles, but it’s not like the nation’s leader in yards per game (162.5) is going to be benched. A tighter grip on the ball was without a doubt the theme of the week in practice and whoever is throwing the ball needs to be aware of a pick-friendly FAU secondary.

2. Who Can It Be Now? Speak of the Devil. Dylan Hopkins succumbed to an injury in the first quarter of the Western Kentucky loss and did not return to the game. His status was day-to-day this week and whether he starts or not will be a game-time decision. If Hopkins can’t play, Baylor transfer Jacob Zeno gets his first start of the season and faces a defense ranked 88th in the nation (395.2 ypg) but capable of forcing turnovers (16) and racking up sacks (18).

3. Architecture of Aggression. UAB has one of the best defenses in the land, ranked second in pass efficiency defense (98.50) and 21st in total defense (323.9 ypg), but the Owls have plenty of south Florida playmakers who create mismatches and take advantage of miscues in miscommunication. The Blazers are a resilient unit but the offense must not give the opposition a short field for the defense to guard.

KEY MATCHUP

UAB’s offensive line vs FAU’s defensive front: The Blazers have allowed 13 sacks through seven games and must improve its protection to ease Jacob Zeno in the event that Dylan Hopkins is unable to give it a go against the Owls. The former is still shaking off the rust from an almost two-year layoff and a secure pocket would go a long way in securing a much-needed road victory.