North Carolina A&T Aggies (0-0) vs. UAB Blazers (0-0)
North Carolina A&T Aggies vs. UAB Blazers 8/31/2023 – The North Carolina A&T football team will see many changes in the 2023 season, including a new coach and a new conference. The team competed in football in the Big South Conference in 2022. After finishing a 7-4 record (4-1 and second place in the Big South Conference), the school named Vincent Brown its next head coach in January 2023. Brown worked for William & Mary over the past four seasons as an assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and linebackers coach. He successfully guided the Tribe to a share of the Coastal Athletic Association championship and a playoff appearance in 2022.
The passing approach was effective even if there were not always a lot of yards, and UAB has dominated with strong ground attacks (it was eighth in the US in rushing last year). Dilfer understands the offense, and new offensive coordinator Alex Mortensen, the son of NFL reporter Chris Mortensen, will jump into the role after spending the previous few years serving as an analyst at Alabama. Trea Shropshire, the team’s top target, is no longer there, but almost everyone else is back, including Tejhaun Palmer and Samario Rudolph, two big-play seniors who will try to open things up. For insightful predictions, consider checking out free daily college football picks for upcoming games.
Aggies vs. Blazers Game Info
| When: | Thursday, August 31, 2023 8:00 PM ET |
|---|---|
| Where: | Protective Stadium, AL |
| TV: | ESP+ |
| Stream: | N/A |
Aggies QB Zach Yeager vs Blazers QB Jacob Zeno
Brown is taking over a squad that went 7-4 last year and ended second in the Big South, so he will have a lot of talent to work with this year. Before the start of the season, Brown will need to make a significant decision between Zach Yeager, Eli Brickhandler, and Alston Hooker, the quarterback of the Lions and Yeager’s younger brother. All of the probable starters improved their game knowledge last season. It is yet to be seen if Brown can guide the program to success in its new competitive conference, which has a number of top 25 FCS teams.
Former Baylor Bear Jacob Zeno, who completed 57% of his passes for 721 yards and five touchdowns with three interceptions for the Blazers last season, is now the primary option since Dylan Hopkins left for New Mexico. He is an expert and needs to act as a calming influence immediately.
MLB Odds/Point Spread: UAB Blazers -10.5, Total Odds: 42.5
North Carolina A&T has a 1-5 record after five FCS Playoff appearances. The Aggies’ first playoff appearance was in 1986; their most recent was in 2016. The team’s lone postseason triumph came in 1999 against Tennessee State. Additionally, 11 bowl games were played by North Carolina A&T. The first and most recent were in 2019. The Aggies have a 7-4 record in bowl games.
North Carolina A&T was a top-tier program among HBCUs, winning 7 HBCU National Championships (1951, 1968, 1990, 1999, 2015, 2017, and 2018) and the success that the NCAA officially recognized. The SWAC and MEAC champions play each other in the Celebration Bowl, which has been hosted in Atlanta since 2015, to determine the winner of the HBCU National Championship.
North Carolina A&T Aggies Betting Trends
The total went OVER in 6 of North Carolina A&T’s last 6 matches. The total went OVER in 5 of North Carolina A&T’s last 5 matches on the road.
UAB Blazers Betting Trends
The UAB Blazers are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 matches. The total went OVER in 4 of Alabama-Birmingham’s last 5 matches. The UAB Blazers are 7-1 SU in their last 8 matches at home. The UAB Blazers are 4-2 SU in their last 6 matches played in August.
North Carolina A&T Aggies vs. UAB Blazers 8/31/2023 Betting Picks
The North Carolina A&T Aggies are 3-9 SU in their last 12 matches. According to our exclusive sports picks, the UAB Blazers are the better team to bet on in this matchup. The total went UNDER in 5 of Alabama-Birmingham’s last 6 matches played in week 1, and the total went OVER in 7 of Alabama-Birmingham’s last 10 matches played on a Thursday. The UAB Blazers are also 5-2 ATS in their last 7 matches played on a Thursday when playing at home.
Free Pick and Prediction: UAB Blazers will win 33-12.