Tulsa vs. UAB Preview, Prediction

Coming off an emotional and dramatic win on Saturday, the Golden Hurricane will head to Birmingham for their Conference USA road opener.

Waiting for them will be a UAB team that is desperate for a win. The Blazers are 0-3, losing all three by double digits. UAB opened up by losing a home game to Troy and then dropping road games at South Carolina and Ohio State.

UAB may be desperate for a victory, but it won't come easy against a surging Tulsa squad. Despite turnover problems and some sloppy play, TU has won three in a row and at least appears to be coming together as a team.

Matchup:

The way Tulsa's defense has been playing, it might be tough for UAB to put points on the board. Their offense hasn't found the end zone since the Troy game to open the season and has been downright dreadful on the ground. The Blazers are only averaging 2.5 yards per carry and their longest run of the season is 16 yards.

Tulsa has been quite the opposite in the explosiveness department. TU has seven plays of 40 yards or more this season, compared to just one such play for UAB. To be specific, UAB ranks 118th among FBS teams in scoring offense this season, while Tulsa ranks exactly 100 spots higher at No. 18.

The Blazers' defense hasn't been much better, allowing 39 points per game, coincidentally also ranking 118th in the country. If the home team wants any chance to win Saturday, they'll need to force multiple Golden Hurricane turnovers.

Prediction:

UAB has never beaten Tulsa, and I doubt that changes Saturday. TU won last seasons' meeting by 17 despite four turnovers. If TU can limit turnovers and run the ball like we all know they can, this one could get out of hand.

I'll take Tulsa: 41-17