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Blazers need win over Knights to become bowl eligible
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Central Florida's Ronnie Weaver, right, and Josh Robinson celebrate after recovering a fumble in the Knights' 49-0 win over Tulane. AP/Photo: Phelan M. Ebenhack
The UAB Blazers must have a victory this Saturday over the Central Florida Knights in order to finish with six wins and become bowl eligible.
The Blazers would be 6-6 if they win the contest and would still not be guaranteed a postseason bid. However, if UAB loses the matchup and does not make the postseason, it is still clear that this team has improved vastly from last year.
The UAB program has been able to move in the right direction under the leadership of its 17 seniors. Quarterback Joe Webb is one of these seniors who have helped improve the program and will be playing at Legion Field for the last time this Saturday.
Webb has been able to lead this strong Blazers offense, which ranks second nationally with an average of 5.93 yards per rushing attempt. This trails only Nevada’s 7.76 yards per carry.
Webb has led this rushing game with his 1,290 yards on the ground and 10 rushing touchdowns. His throwing is not as effective, but he may need to work on that as he faces a UCF defense that ranks third nationally in holding opponents to an average of 71.4 rushing yards per game.
Webb should be able to throw the ball and get things going, but UAB’s main weakness has been its defense. The Blazers have allowed 318.9 passing yards per game this season, which is the most among FBS programs.
Central Florida will be led by its defense that ranks behind only Alabama and Texas in stopping the run this season. Defensive ends Bruce Miller and Jarvis Geathers share the conference lead in sacks with 10 apiece.
The Knights will definitely be looking for revenge after losing last year to UAB 15-0. That game was the first time that Central Florida was shutout since 42-0 loss to Florida in 2006. This definitely leads to the Knights coming in wanting revenge.
Central Florida will rely a lot on its running game on offense with Brynn Harvey running the ball. He has rushed for three touchdowns back-to-back games. He needs 53 yards to make 1,000 rushing yards on the year.
The Blazers will have to step up on defense to stop the Knights, who are hot right now in winning four of the past five games. Their loss in that streak was to No.3 Texas.
Central Florida will likely win the contest, but UAB will come out hard in looking to become bowl eligible. It should make for a good Conference USA matchup. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. this Saturday.
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