WHAT: UAB vs. UTSA

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 5 — 2:30 p.m. CDT

WHERE: Protective Stadium — Birmingham, Ala.

SERIES: UAB leads, 4-2

TV: Stadium

LINE: Even

THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE

If UAB can get back on track following a two-game skid on the road, allowing second-half rallies in each game and all but eliminating the Blazers from C-USA title game contention. UTSA is the defending conference champion, currently 12-1 in its last 13 conference games, and the top-scoring offense (35.6 ppg) and passing offense (330.4 ypg) in the league.

THREE THINGS TO LOOK FOR

1. Bulls on Parade. DeWayne McBride was added to the Maxwell Award semifinalist list this week and the junior running back is on the brink of a historic season on the Southside. McBride is the nation’s leader in yards per game (167.3) and has the second-most rushing yards this season (1,146) despite missing the season opener with illness. He has rushed for at least 120 yards in each game played this year, including two 200-yard performances, and is 46 yards away from joining Spencer Brown as the only UAB player with 3,000 career rushing yards.

2. Handle With Care. Jacob Zeno had an efficient performance in his first career start at FAU, completing passes to nine different receivers and picking up crucial third-down conversions with his legs, but Dylan Hopkins is expected back this week for the Blazers — barring a last-minute setback. Hopkins had a strong outing last year against UTSA and, if fully healthy, can take advantage of a defense ranked 103rd in the nation (419.4 ypg).

3. Slippin’ Into Darkness. There are rain showers in the forecast for Saturday afternoon, possibly grounding UTSA’s seventh-ranked passing offense, and UAB has proven successful this season against top-50 passing games The Blazers held Georgia Southern (No. 4), Middle Tennessee State (No. 51), Charlotte (No. 33) and Western Kentucky (No. 11) to season lows in passing yardage, allowing an average of 185.5 ypg and collecting six interceptions against three passing touchdowns.

KEY MATCHUP

UAB’s defensive front vs UTSA’s Frank Harris: The Blazers are aggressive with their pass rush but will need to stay disciplined in the face of the league’s most electrifying player. Harris can make plays with both his arm and legs and keeping him contained in the pocket alone will not be enough. UAB must force Harris into quick decisions in the passing game and not hesitate when the senior quarterback breaks the pocket.