UAB vs. Miami Week 2 Prediction
There’s only one game on Thursday’s Week 2 college football slate and it features a non-conference matchup between 1-0 UAB and Miami, which will play its season-opener tonight. With the Hurricanes laying over two touchdowns and the total sitting at 55, what’s the optimal play for bettors?
Game Snapshot
393 UAB Blazers (+14) at 394 Miami Hurricanes (-14); o/u 55
Thursday, September 10, 8:00 p.m. ET, ACC Network
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
UAB Blazers Game Notes
UAB redshirt junior QB Tyler Johnston completed 17-of-25 passes for 143 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in Thursday’s 45-35 win over Central Arkansas. And with that, we are officially off for the FBS football season. Come what may. Johnston hit Gerrit Prince for a little six-yard touchdown pass midway through the first quarter for the initial scoring foray in the contest, one of two touchdown tosses which made their way to Price (the other came in the second quarter). To Central Arkansas’ credit, though, this ended up a game into the fourth quarter before UAB finally pulled away. As for Johnston’s performance, colored us relatively unimpressed. He showed off the same questionable decision-making which led to 15 picks last season, and this game was against a subpar opponent. Early wobbly results, especially after a fractured offseason, should be considered understandable, though. UAB remains one of the CUSA’s best teams.
Miami Hurricanes Game Notes
Miami WR coach Rob Likens recently said that freshman WR Xavier Restrepo “makes our (wide receivers) room better.” Restrepo (5’10/196) performed well during fall camp, and he’s listed third on the Hurricanes depth chart at slot receiver heading into the team’s opener against UAB Thursday night. The freshman won’t be starting, as Mike Harley earned that honor, but based upon Likens’ comments Restrepo should get some chances to make plays. “He’s just a really hard-work guy, no-nonsense dude, tough as nails, really smart, takes great pride in doing everything right,” Likens said. “He’s very similar in Marshall Few in that way. Extremely happy that we have him. He makes our room better. He pays attention to details. Just a great dude.”
UAB vs. Miami Betting Prediction
Houston grad transfer D’Eriq King was brought in by Miami to win the starting job and that’s exactly what he did this offseason. He’ll start tonight for a Hurricanes team that will unveil a different look under new offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. That said, how can Miami, or any program for that matter, look sharp in its opening game with a new coach or new coordinators on either side of the ball? The offseason was disrupted by the pandemic and teams couldn’t possibly accomplish what they wanted to accomplish this summer. Meanwhile, UAB has already played a game and while it was against a weaker opponent than the Blazers will see tonight, the bottom line is that they’ve already gotten their pads dirty this 2020 season. I’m taking the points.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL WEEK 2 BETTING PREDICTION: UAB BLAZERS +14