WHAT: UAB vs. No. 1 Georgia

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 23 — 6:30 p.m. CT

WHERE: Sanford Stadium — Athens, Ga.

SERIES: Georgia leads, 3-0

TV: ESPN2

LINE: UAB +42.5

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE

If UAB can right a few wrongs and show improvement before heading into league play next week. The Blazers are a heavy underdog and competing on Georgia’s level could do wonders in building confidence for a team seeking answers following two straight losses.

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Roam. Keondre Swoopes scored the only points for UAB in its last meeting with the Bulldogs — returning an interception 61 yards for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter — and is currently tied with linebacker Jackson Bratton for the team-lead in tackles (19), despite missing the season opener. The senior safety has played well on the big stage but his seasoned leadership, along with Bratton, is sorely needed in helping break the defensive downward spiral of the last two weeks.

2. Space Wrangler. There should be plenty of aerial acrobatics as the Blazers and Bulldogs are both high-volume attacks and currently tied for 14th nationally in passing offense (318.7 ypg). Jacob Zeno and Georgia quarterback Carson Beck have a bevy of receivers in which to distribute the ball – UAB has five players with at least 100 receiving yards — but the latter has the definitive advantage in All-American tight end Brock Bowers.

3. Everybody Hurts. UAB is 0-7 all-time against the teams ranked in the top five but this year’s meeting with Georgia is the first time facing the No. 1 team in the nation. A win by the Blazers would arguably be one of the greatest upsets in college football history and Georgia is in a vulnerable position following a close win over South Carolina and its first road trip of the season at Auburn next week. However, Georgia, under Kirby Smart, is not easily susceptible to trap games and is 18-1 at home against non-conference opponents and 21-1 overall in the regular season in non-conference games.

KEY MATCHUP

UAB’s offensive line vs. Georgia’s defensive front: The Blazers gave up seven sacks to Louisiana last week and face a much tougher test in the Bulldogs’ deep and physically dominant defensive front. UAB’s offensive success hinges on the ability to give Jacob Zeno time in the pocket and swift improvement is required from a young and lightly experienced offensive line.