Navy comes out of its bye week with a Friday night American Conference road test at UAB, and the Midshipmen are laying 6.5 points. The line opened at Navy -7 and has ticked down, even though most spread bets are backing the road favorite. The biggest variable sits under center. Navy starting quarterback Braxton Woodson is working back from an ankle sprain, and his status remained unresolved heading into game day. Below, we break down the matchup, the line movement, and our best bets on the spread and the total for Navy vs. UAB.
Last Updated: Friday, September 25, 2026
Navy vs. UAB — Time & How to Watch
| Where | Protective Stadium, Birmingham, AL |
| When | Friday, September 25 – 7:00 PM ET |
| TV | ESPN |
Navy vs. UAB Betting Preview
Navy enters at 1-1 overall and 0-1 in American Conference play. The Midshipmen opened with a 42-15 win over Towson, then fell 38-30 at Florida Atlantic on September 12. FAU led 31-7 at the break and 38-7 late in the third quarter. Navy then scored the game’s final 23 points. FAU quarterback Caden Veltkamp threw for 386 yards and five touchdowns, which exposed a Navy secondary that remains the team’s soft spot.
The quarterback situation drives this handicap. Woodson sprained his ankle in the third quarter at FAU. An MRI showed no major structural damage, and he was labeled week-to-week. Before the injury, he was averaging 148 rushing yards per game, the top mark among FBS quarterbacks. If Woodson can’t go, backup Jackson Gutierrez gets the call. Gutierrez sparked the FAU rally in relief with two touchdown passes and a rushing score.
UAB sits at 1-2 and opens conference play Friday. The Blazers lost 42-23 at Illinois, beat ULM 26-20 at home, and fell 21-14 at Louisiana last Saturday. Head coach Alex Mortensen had the interim tag removed after last season. He called the Louisiana game one of the poorer offensive showings he has been part of. Quarterback Ryder Burton, who previously played at BYU and West Virginia, leads a passing attack averaging just 159.3 yards per game. The run game did carry UAB past ULM with 266 rushing yards.
Navy leads the all-time series 3-0, including a 38-24 win last season. This is also the second of three straight road games for the Midshipmen, with a trip to Air Force on deck next week. For a look back at how we handicapped the option attack last season, see our Navy vs. Cincinnati bowl prediction.
Navy vs. UAB Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navy | -6.5 (-110) | -250 | O 51 (-110) |
| UAB | +6.5 (-110) | +210 | U 51 (-110) |
Odds accurate as of Friday, September 25, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest NCAAF Odds – Futures – Props
Navy vs. UAB — Who Is the Public Betting?
| Navy | 65% | 35% | UAB |
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Navy vs. UAB Prediction — Will Midshipmen Cover Number?
The matchup at the line of scrimmage favors Navy. The Midshipmen rank second nationally at 376 rushing yards per game on 6.9 yards per carry. Their run defense is just as stingy, allowing only 40.5 rushing yards per game. The rest gap also leans toward the visitors. Navy has had nearly two weeks to prepare since the FAU game. UAB, in contrast, played last Saturday and has one fewer day than usual to get ready for an option offense.
The case against Navy is real. The spread has shaded toward UAB since opening, even though 65% of public spread bets are on the Midshipmen. That movement against the popular side hints at some resistance to the road favorite near the key number of 7. Woodson’s status is unresolved, and his backup’s only extended action this season came in relief at FAU. Navy’s pass defense has also been leaky, allowing 296.5 passing yards per game with opponents completing roughly 79% of their throws. If Burton finds a rhythm early, UAB can hang around.
Still, UAB’s offense has not shown it can punish that weakness consistently. The Blazers average 21 points per game, and they produced just one offensive touchdown at Louisiana. Navy, meanwhile, has scored touchdowns on all five of its red-zone trips. Even with a backup at quarterback, the Navy ground game should control possession and build enough separation. The move off the opener also hands the favorite a slightly better number.
The Pick: Navy -6.5 (-110)
Navy vs. UAB Prediction — Will the Clock Be the Biggest Factor?
The total has dipped a half-point since opening. Navy’s offense is built to shorten games. Long, run-heavy drives drain the clock and cut the number of possessions for both teams. UAB’s defense has also tightened after halftime. The Blazers kept Louisiana scoreless in the second half and held ULM to three second-half points. Overall, UAB’s three games have produced 65, 46 and 35 combined points.
The over does have a path. Navy’s two games finished with 57 and 68 total points, and the Midshipmen have been perfect in the red zone. Navy’s pass defense could also hand UAB explosive plays. However, a Navy offense that may be led by its backup and a UAB attack stuck in low gear both point toward a lower-scoring game. Fewer possessions make this total a tall order.
The Pick: Under 51 (-110)
Final Thoughts and Bonus Angle
Navy’s moneyline has eased from its -285 opener to -250. Even so, that price implies roughly a 71% win probability and offers little payoff for the risk. We are passing on a bonus play and sticking with the spread and the total. The key pregame item is Woodson’s status. If he is ruled out, watch for the number to move before kickoff.
Picks Recap: Navy -6.5 (-110) and Under 51 (-110).
NCAAF Navy vs. UAB FAQ: Friday September 25, 2026
What time does the Navy vs. UAB game start?
Navy vs. UAB kicks off at 7:00 PM ET on Friday, September 25, 2026. That is 6:00 PM local time in Birmingham, Alabama. The game is UAB’s American Conference opener and the first action for the Midshipmen since their September 12 loss at Florida Atlantic.
What channel is the Navy vs. UAB game on?
The Navy vs. UAB game airs nationally on ESPN, with kickoff set for 7:00 PM ET on Friday, September 25. Fans without cable can stream the broadcast through live TV streaming services that carry ESPN. The game comes from Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama.
Where are Navy and UAB playing?
Navy and UAB play at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, which is UAB’s home field. The game is the second of three straight road trips for Navy. The Midshipmen played at Florida Atlantic on September 12 and visit Air Force on October 3.
Who won the last meeting between Navy and UAB?
Navy won the last meeting 38-24 during the 2025 season. The Midshipmen lead the all-time series 3-0, so UAB is still searching for its first win over Navy. Friday’s game gives the Blazers a chance to break through on their home field in Birmingham.
What are Navy’s and UAB’s records this season?
Navy is 1-1 overall and 0-1 in American Conference play after beating Towson 42-15 and losing 38-30 at Florida Atlantic. UAB is 1-2 overall, with a 26-20 home win over ULM between road losses at Illinois and Louisiana. Friday is UAB’s conference opener.