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Date: Saturday, September 16th, 2017
Kickoff: 1:00 PM EST
TV: RAYCOM/WBRC FOX6
Radio: Chanticleer Sports Network, 100.5 JOX2 (UAB)
Location: Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama
Previous Meeting: N/A. This is the first meeting
Betting Line: Coastal Carolina -1.0
Over/Under: 51.5
Outlook
Coastal Carolina will look to advance their record to 2-0 on Saturday when they take on the UAB Blazers inside Legion Field in Birmingham. Coastal Carolina is coming off quite possibly the biggest win in program history having topped UMass two weeks ago in Conway. Coastal is coming of a early week two bye, so the Chants should be healthy and ready to play. UAB is coming off a 51-31 loss to Ball State a week ago and will look to bounce back.
Coastal Carolina is undoubtedly led by running back Osharmar Abercombie, who racked up 147 yards and 2 touchdowns two weeks ago against UMass. The CCU defense struggled at times against the pass two weeks ago, but will look to clean that up against the Blazers. Ball State rallied with a strong 2nd half last Saturday and made big plays on special teams to top UAB in a game I’m sure CCU coach Jamey Chadwell was watching.
Quarterback play is going to be another big thing to watch in this game as it appears that Senior Tyler Keane is the man the Chants will go with. Against UMass there was not much shown in the passing game as Keane was only 9/17 for 78 yards, however he was able to get a passing TD to boost his stat line. Abercombie will surly once again handle the majority of the work load on the offensive side of the ball once again for CCU.
UAB QB A.J. Erdely has turned in two good performances this season, completing 58.75% of his passes through two games. He threw 2 touchdowns in the win over Alabama A&M two weeks ago, but was held to none against Ball State last Saturday. UAB has leaned on its run game through the first two weeks and it’s doubtful to change this week against CCU. However, Coastal stifled the UMass run game two weeks ago, holding the Minutemen to just 79 yards rushing.
Prediction
UAB will return home to what’s sure to be another good crowd inside Legion Field. Coastal Carolina will ride Osharmar Abercombie as far as he can take them, and I believe he can take them to 2-0. Coastal Carolina is a good football team and they will once again show they were ready for the move up to the FBS level. I look for UAB to lean heavy on the run as that has been the trend so far for the Blazers, but the CCU defense will hold strong.