WHAT: UAB vs. Louisiana

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 16 — 6:00 p.m. CT

WHERE: Protective Stadium — Birmingham, Ala.

SERIES: UAB leads, 4-3

TV: ESPN+

LINE: UAB -2.5

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE

If the UAB defense can catch up to the offense and recapture its mystique of the last few years. The Blazers have one of the best passing attacks in the nation but the defense must reclaim its former glory for this UAB team to succeed.

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Shock the Monkey. Although the Blazers have one of the most proficient passing offenses in the nation, their heralded running game of years past is only averaging 129.5 ypg on the ground despite the immense talent of Jermaine Brown Jr. and Isaiah Jacobs. The offensive line has given up only one sack but must reassert its dominance to jolt the rushing attack back to life.

2. Bitter Taste. The last meeting between the two programs saw the Ragin’ Cajuns end UAB’s 21-game home winning streak in the final game for the Blazers at Legion Field. A majority of that squad has either graduated or departed the program but there may still be a bit of revenge on the mind of the upperclassmen who witnessed Louisiana rally from a double-digit deficit to earn the 24-20 victory.

3. Heroes. UAB is expounding on the Children’s Harbor game tradition started by former coach Bill Clark and will honor Smile-A-Mile with alternate black and lime uniforms with patient names on the back of jerseys. The Blazers will wear the black uniforms once more this season to honor Smile-A-Mile and the Children’s Harbor uniforms will also be worn twice.

KEY MATCHUP

UAB’s defensive front vs. Louisiana’s offensive line: The Blazers are giving up 132.5 ypg on the ground and have yet to maintain control of the line of scrimmage through two games. Louisiana has an experienced offensive line and UAB’s ability to stop the run and affect the quarterback are paramount to pulling out the victory.