Miami vs. UAB Betting Odds & Picks: Will Canes’ New Offense Shock College Football on Thursday? (Sept. 10)

Thursday CFB: Miami vs. UAB Odds

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Any football connoisseur with an appetite for mayhem should be excited when these two teams hit the field in Hard Rock Stadium. Both UAB and Miami ranked top 10 in defensive havoc in 2019, which is the perfect recipe for a compelling Thursday night sweat.

UAB Blazers

The Blazers defense continued its disruptive streak against Central Arkansas in Week 1. UAB racked up five tackles for loss, six passes defensed and an interception against the Bears.

UAB produced a 100% post-game win expectancy in the 10-point victory over Central Arkansas, but havoc allowed was an issue. A punt fumble and strip touchdown led to 14 easy points for Central Arkansas during the Middle 8, an important statistic measuring points for and against within four minutes of halftime.

It goes without saying that the Blazers will face a massive upgrade in competition — and a far greater disparity in talent — when UAB travels to Miami on Thursday.

Miami Hurricanes

The Hurricanes were able to squeeze in four spring practices before COVID-19 shut down March football.

Miami's returns 50% of its defensive production from the 2019 roster that ranked fifth in success rate. The Hurricanes defense is one of the country's top havoc-inducing units, ranking sixth or better in tackles for loss in each of the past three seasons.

However, new faces will need to step up as Gregory Rousseau, Michael Pinckney and Jonathan Garvin exit the program — along with their 25.5 combined sacks. UAB may be able to take advantage of a new Hurricanes defense if the Blazers can reproduce the 52% offensive success rate they posted against Central Arkansas.

On offense, Miami returns 59% of its 2019 offensive production, including all five starters on the offensive line. The Hurricanes also add Houston transfer Jarrid Williams, who is penciled in at right tackle.

Miami answered stability questions at quarterback with the transfer of D'Eriq King — another former Houston Cougar. The addition of King should provide Miami the missing spark needed to compliment its stellar defense.

New offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee may be the biggest upgrade at the coordinator position in all of college football. The former Arkansas quarterback and Gus Malzahn-protege led potent offenses at SMU, Auburn and even UConn. More importantly, SMU was fourth in seconds per play in 2019.

Lashlee has consistently coached offenses that rank top 25 in adjusted pace. His emphasis on uptempo and explosive plays are a perfect combination for QB D'Eriq King.

Betting Analysis & Pick

Our Action Network Power Ratings project this game at Miami -11. Of course, that assumes that UAB's offense is able to limit turnovers against a havoc-minded Hurricanes defense.

That said, I find the game total far more intriguing. At the end of 2019, this matchup's over/under would have been projected at 49.5 points. The assimilation of Rhett Lashlee at offensive coordinator and D'Eriq King at quarterback should increase pace, efficiency and explosiveness.

Considering that three SEC teams have put up 107 combined points against the Blazers over the past three years, the over is certainly in consideration.

The Picks: Over 54.5 points.

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