kepdawg
10-31-2006, 07:16 PM
Preview: UAB at SMU
6:30 p.m., Gerald Ford Stadium (ESPN2; KTCK-AM 1310, KTDK-FM 104.1)
09:18 PM CST on Monday, October 30, 2006
By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News
UAB (3-5, 2-2) at SMU (4-4, 2-2)
Line: SMU by 4 ½
What's on the line
UAB:The Blazers, on a two-game losing streak, can rise to the top of the messy East Division. Their bowl hopes improve with a win. SMU won, 28-27, last season on a TD pass as time expired.
SMU:The Mustangs need two wins in their final four games to become bowl eligible. A win today makes the task more realistic.
Who's hot
UAB: RB Marculus Elliott rushed for 129 yards vs. Marshall. RBs Corey White and Dan Burks also get a lot of carries.
SMU: Redshirt freshman QB Justin Willis (19 TDs) needs three more TD passes to set the school record (Chuck Hixson, 21, 1968) for a season.
Who's not
UAB: The Blazers gave up 317 yards on the ground vs. Marshall.
SMU: The pass defense ranks 117th in Division I-A (279.4 ypg). FS Bryce Hudman and CB Bryan McCann take over starting roles in the secondary.
Stat that tells the story
SMU has won five straight home games, the most since a seven-game streak over 1981 and 1982.
Key matchup
SMU's rushing game vs. UAB defense: RB DeMyron Martin is healthy enough to play at home for the first time this season. If he has a big game, it only helps Willis.
UAB wins if
DE Larry McSwain, the preseason C-USA defensive player of the year, and the Blazers can pressure Willis.
SMU wins if
Willis and his receivers get in a groove and the defense doesn't allow UAB's quarterbacks, Chris Williams and Sam Hunt, to get going.
Predicted score
SMU 27, UAB 21
6:30 p.m., Gerald Ford Stadium (ESPN2; KTCK-AM 1310, KTDK-FM 104.1)
09:18 PM CST on Monday, October 30, 2006
By KATE HAIROPOULOS / The Dallas Morning News
UAB (3-5, 2-2) at SMU (4-4, 2-2)
Line: SMU by 4 ½
What's on the line
UAB:The Blazers, on a two-game losing streak, can rise to the top of the messy East Division. Their bowl hopes improve with a win. SMU won, 28-27, last season on a TD pass as time expired.
SMU:The Mustangs need two wins in their final four games to become bowl eligible. A win today makes the task more realistic.
Who's hot
UAB: RB Marculus Elliott rushed for 129 yards vs. Marshall. RBs Corey White and Dan Burks also get a lot of carries.
SMU: Redshirt freshman QB Justin Willis (19 TDs) needs three more TD passes to set the school record (Chuck Hixson, 21, 1968) for a season.
Who's not
UAB: The Blazers gave up 317 yards on the ground vs. Marshall.
SMU: The pass defense ranks 117th in Division I-A (279.4 ypg). FS Bryce Hudman and CB Bryan McCann take over starting roles in the secondary.
Stat that tells the story
SMU has won five straight home games, the most since a seven-game streak over 1981 and 1982.
Key matchup
SMU's rushing game vs. UAB defense: RB DeMyron Martin is healthy enough to play at home for the first time this season. If he has a big game, it only helps Willis.
UAB wins if
DE Larry McSwain, the preseason C-USA defensive player of the year, and the Blazers can pressure Willis.
SMU wins if
Willis and his receivers get in a groove and the defense doesn't allow UAB's quarterbacks, Chris Williams and Sam Hunt, to get going.
Predicted score
SMU 27, UAB 21