by Chuck Sommers
Friday, Sep 24, 2021
Game time: 8 p.m. ET, September 25, 2021
Venue: Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, LA
Where to watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Tulane -3; O/U 55; Moneyline -- Tulane -170, UAB +150
BetMGM: Tulane -3.5; O/U 55.5; Tulane -170, UAB +145
Caesars: Tulane -3.5; O/U 55.5; Tulane -170, UAB +145
Season record
UAB: 2-1
Tulane: 1-2
Team Del Genio was a PERFECT 4-0 in all-sports on Saturday to further a 9 of 11 (82%) HOT STREAK this week, WINNING their 25* NCAA-F Pac-12 Game of the Month with USC and their 25* NCAA-F Saturday TV Total of the Month with the ASU/BYU under! Catch Del Genio’s and other plays available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.
UAB - Tulane preview and analysis
Recent form
UAB: won 40-6 at North Texas on Sept. 18
Tulane: lost 61-21 at No. 13 Ole Miss on Sept. 18
For the first time this season, thanks to Hurricane Ida, the Tulane Green Wave will play a home game in New Orleans.
The emotionally charged-up factor going into this week is what I think will drive the Green Wave over the UAB Blazers at Yulman Stadium on Saturday.
It’s been a rocky start for Tulane, but there’s still some to be excited about for what’s been produced over the last three weeks. The bulk of that comes from what they did opening weekend against the Oklahoma Sooners and nearly knocking off the No. 2-ranked team in the country, but it’s not the Green Wave’s fault that Oklahoma hasn’t recovered from that game.
The case can be made that the Ole Miss Rebels posed a bigger threat to Tulane than the Sooners did in Norman. Maybe even Morgan State was a more formidable opponent than Oklahoma to this point. But the Rebels proved why they’re a top team after a 40-point win against Tulane. Quarterback Michael Pratt was held to 166 yards on 10-of-18 passing, but threw two touchdowns.
Outside of that, Tulane couldn’t do much. Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral threw for three touchdowns and 335 yards passing, toying with Tulane’s defense in what was a lopsided effort between the quarterbacks. On top of that, Ole Miss had 372 yards on 6.1 yards per carry, as Tulane allowed six rushing touchdowns in the defeat.
UAB is coming off a 34-point win over the North Texas Mean Green, a much-needed answer after losing 56-7 against the No. 2-ranked Georgia Bulldogs. The Green Wave’s defense has to be ready for quarterback Dylan Hopkins, who needed only six completions and threw a pass attempt count of seven to throw for 202 yards and three touchdowns as UAB took a 30-0 lead at halftime.
Most of all, no interceptions for Hopkins, who will lead the underdog Blazers into Louisiana against some Tulane players that are bound to be fired up. No matter how this season unfolds for the remainder of Green Wave games; how they played against Oklahoma is the penultimate throughout all of Tulane’s games this season.
Prediction
While UAB players should be prepared for what’s coming for an exciting environment, the Blazers will need to find a way to keep the turnovers down and utilize every bit of that passing game. Tulane’s defense allows 277.7 pass YPG but last game needs to be flushed down the toilet. The Tulane pass rush will be ready to go for this one and make life tough on UAB. Tulane by 10
Betting trends
Tulane is 8-2 in its last 10 as a favorite between 3.5 and 10 points against the spread. As a favorite, Tulane is 12-3 in its last 15 and 7-1 ATS as a home favorite in its last eight.
UAB is 1-5 in its last six in games following a win by 17 points or more.
Players to watch
UAB: Most focus will be on slowing down tight end Gerrit Prince, but wide receiver Trea Shropshire has been a reliable outside target. He has six receptions for 165 yards and two touchdowns so far.
Tulane: Last time out, running back Devin Brumfield led Tulane with 47 yards on nine carries. If the Green Wave are going to take the pressure off Michael Pratt, one way to do it is utilize the running game against a UAB defense that hasn’t met much competition (116.7 rush YPG).
Statistical leaders
UAB:
Passing: Tyler Johnston III -- 390 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: DeWayne McBride -- 168 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Gerrit Prince -- 204 yards, 3 TD
Defense: Keondre Soopes -- 2 INT
Tulane:
Passing: Michael Pratt -- 586 yards, 7 TD, 0 INT
Rushing: Cameron Carroll -- 106 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Tyrick James -- 189 yards, 2 TD
Defense: Keith Cooper Jr. & Darius Hodges -- 2 sacks
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
