Mississippi State vs. UAB Game Preview
November 24, 2012; Orlando, FL, USA; UAB Blazers helmets sit on the sidelines during the first half of the game between the UCF Knights and the UAB Blazers at Bright House Networks Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
On to Week 2 of the 2014 football season: Mississippi State vs. UAB. Another Conference USA foe will come to Davis Wade for a 1:00 kickoff on Fox Sports Net.
Both teams enjoyed blow-out wins in Week 1. MSU over USM 49-0 and UAB over Troy 48-10.
Normally right here is where I make some matchup stats comparisons of where each team ranks nationally, but after just one week there’s really not much to gain from that. So we’ll look at what the Blazers did last week.
Related: UAB Summer Game Preview
QB Cody Clements was 12 of 18 for 150 yards and 2 TD through the air, but where they really dominated Troy was on the ground. 339 yards rushing – 179 from Jordan Howard and 106 from D.J. Vinson.
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The Blazers defense also only gave up 272 yards to a typically good Trojan offensive attack.
So could this UAB team be that much improved from the 2-10 stinker of a team they had last year? Well, they aren’t on Mississippi State’s level we know for sure, but that doesn’t mean they can’t compete. Based off Week 1 performances they will be much better than USM.
UAB has been trouble at times for MSU in the Mullen era. MSU is a 29 point favorite – personally I think this game will be a bit more difficult to cover, although State should win handily if they play well.
Is the hot rumor of a Dak Prescott injury true? If it is, there’s no doubt Damian Williams is ready and more than capable of winning this game. Of course, it might take a little longer to fully pull away from UAB if Prescott doesn’t play. But State should be fine for this one either way.
If UAB’s emphasis is on the running game that is a huge plus for MSU. With the front seven Coach Collins will put out there, first or second string, the Bulldogs can stop them. I see no scenario where UAB is able to open up their passing game with their running game even if they do get some yardage. They do have a nice sized offensive line but I have to believe the fresh lineman and LBs State can throw at them will create an advantage, and in the hot Mississippi sun the Blazers O-line will be the one to tire.
It should be a fun game. As Bent Bulldawg said yesterday, it’s the perfect game to take your little one to and introduce them to MSU football. Hail State.