The Army Black Knights hit the road to Protective Stadium in Birmingham on Saturday, October 4, looking to shake off a rocky 1-3 start against the UAB Blazers, who sit at 2-2. It's a key AAC matchup, with kickoff at noon ET on ESPNU, and both teams desperate for a conference win after recent stumbles. Army's defense has been leaky, allowing 28 points in a loss to East Carolina last week, while UAB got hammered 56-24 by Tennessee, exposing some glaring holes up front.
Indeed, the Black Knights' ground game remains their calling card, even if it's sputtering lately. Quarterback Dewayne Coleman managed just 36 passing yards against ECU but rushed for 51 and a score, showing that triple-option grit that's defined Army football for years. Expect Coleman to lean on the run again, targeting 150-plus team rushing yards to control the clock against a UAB defense that's surrendered over 200 on the ground in three of four games. UAB, meanwhile, relies on a balanced attack led by running back Jamar Simpson, who's topped 100 yards in two outings, but their secondary might struggle with Army's misdirection plays.
However, UAB's home crowd could make things interesting; they've won their last two at Protective Stadium, albeit against softer competition. Last season, Army dominated this series 44-10 at Michie Stadium, but that was before UAB's rebuild under Trent Dilfer gained traction. Betting lines have Army as a 6.5-point favorite with a total of 57.5, reflecting the Black Knights' edge in discipline— they've forced turnovers in every loss. Still, UAB's upset potential lingers if they force Army into passing situations early.
Our take? Army pulls away late for a 34-24 victory, covering the spread and snapping their skid. The over hits too, as both offenses find rhythm in the Alabama heat. It's a winnable bounce-back for the Cadets, but one that tests their resolve against a Blazers team hungry to prove they're no pushover. In the end, does this game redefine Army's season, or just another notch in the grind?