Update South Alabama vs UAB Live: UAB’s offensive line was terrific in pass protection against Miami – for the most part, considering who it was going against – and it needs to get physical in a hurry. The South Alabama defensive front held up well for just over six quarters, but Tulane kept on battling on the ground, and things started to break through on the way to over 200 rushing yards. Click Here to watch NCAAF live stream FREE

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When: Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET

Where: Hancock Whitney Stadium, Mobile, AL

TV: NFL Network

Follow: CBS Sports App

Ticket Cost: $10

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On the other side, can South Alabama get its running game going? It hasn’t been anything special so far, and it failed to do much in the loss to Tulane, but UAB’s defensive front got ripped to shreds in the 31-14 loss to Miami a few weeks ago.gh

It’ll be too easy, though, for the Jaguars to move the ball through this air, with the combination of Kawaan Baker and Jalen Tolbert good enough to push a UAB secondary that isn’t giving up a whole lot deep so far, but hasn’t been stretched yet.Once again, South Alabama will be pesky.gf

The lines have been solid so far, and the passing game will be good enough to balance out what should be a good day on the ground. However, the UAB defensive line is about to eat.

Tulane had a whole slew of problems against USA, but it lived behind the line enough to slow things down. The Blazer offense won’t be anything special, but the D will lock down in the final ten minutes to survive.The UAB Blazers are getting used to playing on Thursday. UAB (1
-1) kicked off the 2020 college football season with a 45-35 victory over Central Arkansas on a Thursday night, and then followed with a 31-14 loss to Miami seven days later. After a week off, the Blazers travel to Mobile for a third straight Thursday night game to take on a South Alabama Jaguars team that is also familiar with the weeknight spotlight.gh

The Jaguars (1-1) took the field for the season-opening Thursday as well and pulled off the first upset of the campaign with a 32-21 victory over Southern Miss. South Alabama then took the seemingly rare step of playing on a Saturday and built a 24-6 lead over Tulane before
losing 27-24 in its first game at the new Hancock Whitney Stadium. With in-state bragging rights on the line in the Battle for the Belt, and another national television audience tuning in, the Jaguars also have an opportunity to secure their first win in the new building and match last year’s win total in the process.hg

UAB quarterback Tyler Johnston III suffered an injury to his non-throwing shoulder and will not play against South Alabama, meaning redshirt freshman Bryson Lucero is set to make the.

first start of his college career. For most teams, losing its starting quarterback would be a major blow. However, Blazers head coach Bill Clark has already worked Lucero into the mix this season, giving the young signal-caller valuable experience. There’s even an argument to be made that Lucero has outplayed Johnston this season.h

According to Pro Football Focus, Lucero has a 71.3 passing grade compared to Johnston’s 67.8. He also has averaged 6.6 yards per pass attempt compared to Johnston’s 6.1 and hasn’t thrown.

an interception (Johnston tossed a pick in the opener against Central Arkansas). But Lucero has completed fewer pass attempts for fewer yards, posting a 52.4 percent completion rate across 21 passes (compared to 66.7 percent for Johnston) while throwing for 138 yards and a touchdown — an 18-yarder to Myron Mitchell in the opener.gh

Mitchell could be Lucero’s top target this week. In addition to leading the team with 12 receptions and 164 yards so far this season, Austin Watkins, Jr. suffered an apparent injury against Miami that could limit him against the Jaguars. Watkins ranks second on the team with 10 catches, 104 yards, and a touchdown. Tight end Gerrit Prince caught both of his team-leading two touchdowns in the win over Central Arkansas.gh.

Lucero will have options in the passing game, but the Blazers could rely on the running game as well. Spencer Brown looks like his old self after dropping weight and getting healthy in the offseason. He leads the team with 201 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries. Speedy Jermaine Brown Jr. has gained 88 yards with a touchdown on 25 attempts.gh

South Alabama will also turn to a new starter at quarterback. Head coach Steve Campbell announced this week Chance Lovertich would get the nod on Thursday night after completing 18 of 29 pass attempts for 247 yards and two touchdowns against Tulane in relief of Desmond.

Trotter. Lovertich also threw a touchdown pass against Southern Miss and has averaged 9.7 yards per attempt this season, which ranks No. 13 nationally. Trotter, who has been limited by a shoulder injury, actually ranks eighth in that category at 10.7 yards per attempt across two starts. He has completed 20 of 35 passes for 373 yards and two touchdowns but also threw two interceptions in the win over the Golden Eagles.h

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