- Matchup: UAB Blazers vs Illinois Fighting Illini
- Event Date: Thursday, September 3, 2026
- Venue: Gies Memorial Stadium, Champaign, IL
- Broadcast: BTN
- Betting Lines: Fighting Illini favored by 28 points
- Total Points: 55
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The Illinois Fighting Illini, boasting a record of 9-4 from last season, aim to overcome the UAB Blazers, who finished at 4-8, during their face-off at Gies Memorial Stadium on September 3, 2026. UAB enters this contest as 28-point underdogs, with the total set at 55 points.
Last season, the UAB Blazers concluded with a 4-8 record. In their final game, they triumphed over the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, winning 31-24. The Blazers executed 55 rushing attempts, gaining 229 yards for an average of 4.2 yards per carry. They ran a total of 73 plays, resulting in 395 yards. Defensive stats revealed that UAB allowed 11 completions on 22 attempts for 159 yards, achieving a 50% completion percentage. On the ground, their defense conceded 198 yards on 42 carries, allowing 4.7 yards per attempt.
Throughout the previous season, the Blazers amassed a total of 4,852 yards, scoring 20 touchdowns both through the air and on the ground. They experienced 22 turnovers and achieved 264 first downs, but faced severe penalties, accruing 90 infractions for a loss of 745 yards. UAB averaged 138.7 rushing yards per game, ranking 87th nationally. In terms of scoring, they averaged 26.4 points per game.
Defensively, UAB struggled, ranking 135th in the league by allowing 38.3 points per game. Opponents averaged 4.6 yards per rushing attempt, totaling 191.1 yards on the ground per game last season. Across 12 games, they conceded 2,293 rushing yards. In the air, the Blazers allowed 2,788 yards, ranking 71st, and permitted an average of 232.3 passing yards per game with a 66.4% completion rate. Overall, UAB’s total yards allowed per game stood at 423.3, placing them 119th in Division 1. They gave up 28 passing touchdowns and 31 rushing touchdowns.
The Fighting Illini finished their last season with a 9-4 record. Their most recent match saw them victorious against the Tennessee Volunteers, with a tight score of 30-28. Illinois averaged 5.7 yards per rush, totaling 221 yards on 39 attempts. The Fighting Illini concluded that game with 417 yards over 73 plays (averaging 5.7 yards per play). Defensively, they allowed a 77.8% completion rate, giving up 121 yards on 14 completions out of 18 attempts while allowing 157 rushing yards on 37 carries with an average of 4.2 yards per rush.
In terms of offense, the Fighting Illini ranked 52nd in college football with an average of 29.4 points per game. They totaled 373.8 yards per game, ranking them 80th nationally. The Illinois squad collected 514 yards through penalties, the 118th highest in Division 1. They recorded 7 interceptions and 5 fumbles while achieving 276 first downs. Last season, Illinois passed for 3,065 yards, averaging 235.8 passing yards per game, ranking 59th. On the ground, they averaged 138.1 rushing yards per game, totaling 1,795 yards for the season.
Defensively, the Fighting Illini conceded 23.6 points per game, placing them at 57th nationally. They allowed 1,645 rushing yards (126.5 yards per game) and 17 rushing touchdowns. In the air, they permitted 20 passing touchdowns and 218.4 yards per game, ranking them 63rd. Illinois played 846 defensive snaps, ranking 68th in the nation. Their defensive stats included 10 fumble recoveries and 7 interceptions, yielding a total of 307 points throughout the season.
Who will emerge victorious in tonight’s Blazers vs. Fighting Illini showdown against the spread?
Prediction: Bet on the Fighting Illini -28.0
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