Akron Zips vs UAB Blazers Point Spread Picks

UAB won 11 games and the Conference-USA Championship last year. They look just as strong after opening the season with a victory over Alabama State with 176 yards rushing, while the defense allowed just 115 yards passing and only three third downs on 15 tries. This defense returns its top corps after allowing 17 points per game last season (seventh nationally). They also finished third in the nation in sacks and second in the country in third-down defense. They have excellent balance on offense, returning QB Tyler Johnston and workhorse RB Spencer Brown. UAB is on a 9-4 spread run, as well as 16-5-1 ATS on fieldturf. They face a rebuilding Akron squad with a new playbook and a new coach in Tom Arth. Akron's offense was a mess last year, third-worst in FBS, and looked just as lost last week in losing 42-3 at Illinois with 172 total yards. Akron is on a 3-7 spread run, plus 2-8 ATS on fieldturf. Play UAB.