UAB Blazers is 4-3 on the season, 4-3 against the spread, and holds a power rating of -9.4. UAB Blazers's games are hitting the under at 86% this season (6-1), a notable trend for totals bettors. The UAB Blazers head to South Florida next in Week 9.
In Week 7 of 2026 the UAB Blazers Power Rating of -9.4 is 9.4 points below the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. UAB Blazers have logged 2,110 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 5,788 miles, ranking 90th heaviest in the FBS.
Ryder Burton QB, Rod Robinson II RB, Ja'Vin Simpkins RB, Bam McReynolds RB, Kaleb Brown WR, Antonio Ferguson TE, Adam Lepkowski OL, Calib Perez OL
Cam Cunningham DL, Chris Spencer DL, Nigel Tate DL, Muaaz Byard LB, Ike Esonwune LB, Jeremiah Jordan S, Jotavian Pierce S, Delvon Gulley CB, Darrell Sweeting CB, Marlin Dean EDGE, Blanche Gold EDGE
Jonah Delange K, Owen Simpson K
| After | Record | ATS | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 1-0 | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| Week 2 | 1-1 | 1-1 | 2-0 |
| Week 3 | 2-1 | 1-2 | 3-0 |
| Week 4 | 2-2 | 2-2 | 4-0 |
| Week 6 | 2-3 | 2-3 | 4-1 |
| Week 7 | 2-4 | 2-4 | 5-1 |
| Week 8 | 3-4 | 3-4 | 5-2 |
| Week 10 | 3-5 | 3-5 | 5-3 |
| Week 11 | 3-6 | 3-6 | 5-4 |
| Week 12 | 3-7 | 3-7 | 6-4 |
| Week 13 | 3-8 | 3-8 | 6-5 |
| Week 14 | 4-8 | 4-8 | 6-6 |
A season record is a record, not a forecast. Blue Chip Analytics' own research finds that beating the closing line repeats at close to zero from one season to the next - see most underrated and overrated teams. Read the table as what happened, not as what is likely to happen next.
Opened -15.4 in the preseason and finished -9.4 after week 8, a move of +6.0 points. High -9.4 (week 8), low -15.7 (week 1).
PreW8
SP+ is an independent opponent-adjusted efficiency rating, one of the systems blended into the Blue Chip Analytics power rating rather than a Blue Chip Analytics number itself. Defensive SP+ measures points allowed, so a lower figure is a better defence - the rank beside it already accounts for that.
Source spread is how far apart the independent rating systems are on this team, not a margin of error on our own number. A wide spread means the models disagree, which is itself worth knowing.
The measured home field advantage of +3.9 is regressed to +2.8 before it is applied, a difference of 1.0 points. A single venue's raw result carries a lot of noise, so the applied figure is pulled toward the league pattern. See how much is home field advantage really worth.
| Opponent | Met | Record | ATS |
|---|---|---|---|
| UL Monroe | 1 | 0-1 | 0-1 |
| Louisiana | 2 | 0-2 | 0-2 |
| Navy | 3 | 0-3 | 1-2 |
| Memphis | 3 | 1-2 | 1-2 |
| South Florida | 3 | 1-2 | 2-1 |
| Charlotte | 4 | 2-2 | 1-3 |
| Temple | 1 | 1-0 | 1-0 |
| UTSA | 7 | 4-3 | 4-3 |
| North Texas | 7 | 4-3 | 5-1-1 |
No meeting on record since 2016: Illinois, Samford, East Carolina.
Week 05,788 mi total
| Week | Opponent | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | - | Bye | |
| Week 1 | Illinois | 460 mi | 920 mi |
| Week 2 | UL Monroe | Home | 920 mi |
| Week 3 | Louisiana | 383 mi | 1,686 mi |
| Week 4 | Navy | Home | 1,686 mi |
| Week 5 | Samford | Home | 1,686 mi |
| Week 6 | Memphis | 212 mi | 2,110 mi |
| Week 7 | East Carolina | Home | 2,110 mi |
| Week 8 | - | Bye | |
| Week 9 | South Florida | 460 mi | 3,030 mi |
| Week 10 | Charlotte | Home | 3,030 mi |
| Week 11 | Temple | 781 mi | 4,591 mi |
| Week 12 | UTSA | Home | 4,591 mi |
| Week 13 | North Texas | 599 mi | 5,788 mi |
| Week 14 | - | Bye | |
| Week 15 | - | Bye | |
| Week 16 | - | Bye | |
| Postseason | - | Bye | |
UAB is in its first full season under head coach Alex Mortensen, who took over after Trent Dilfer was fired midseason in 2025. Mortensen went 2-4 as interim coach and has brought a different culture to the program. The Blazers are 3-3 through six games, already matching their win total from a year ago, and have been competitive in nearly every game. Mortensen also serves as offensive coordinator, while veteran defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has rebuilt the defense through the transfer portal.
Quarterback Ryder Burton, a fourth-year player in his first season as the full-time starter, has shown promise but also inconsistency. He threw for 219 yards and a touchdown in the opener at Illinois, then engineered a late comeback win over UL Monroe with a 43-yard touchdown pass to EJ Reid. Against Navy, he threw a 56-yard scoring strike to Ty Mims just before halftime. However, he has only four career starts and has yet to consistently finish drives, as UAB has settled for numerous field goals. His development is key to the offense's ceiling.
UAB boasts a talented and deep running back room with Rod Robinson II, Ja'Vin Simpkins, and Bam McReynolds. Robinson ran for 114 yards on 21 carries against UL Monroe, while McReynolds had a 48-yard go-ahead touchdown run in the fourth quarter to beat Navy and added a 28-yard score against Samford. Simpkins opened the Memphis game with an 11-yard touchdown run. The trio gives the Blazers a reliable ground attack that can control the clock and take pressure off Burton, though game script has sometimes forced UAB to abandon the run.
Todd Grantham's transfer-heavy defense has flashed big-play ability, forcing key turnovers in wins. Against UL Monroe, Ike Esonwune intercepted a pass to seal the game. In the Navy win, Marlin Dean forced a fumble that Chris Spencer recovered, leading to the go-ahead touchdown. Against Samford, the Blazers picked off three passes (Esonwune, Jeremiah Jordan, Delvon Gulley). However, the unit has also allowed 42 points to Illinois and 38 to Memphis, and struggled to get off the field consistently. The defense is still gelling and must improve its consistency.
UAB has moved the ball effectively between the 20s but has repeatedly settled for field goals, a trend that has kept games closer than expected. Kicker Jonah Delange has been a bright spot, making 31 of 38 career field goals and all 60 extra points, including four field goals against Samford and a 57-yarder at Memphis. However, the offense's inability to finish drives with touchdowns has cost the Blazers margin, as seen in the opener at Illinois where they outgained the Illini but lost by 19. Converting red-zone trips into touchdowns will be crucial for UAB to climb the American Conference standings.
UAB Blazers is 4-3 against the spread in the 2026 season, covering 57% of games.
UAB Blazers holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of -9.4, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
UAB Blazers's home field advantage rating is 2.8 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
UAB Blazers's consensus regular-season win total for 2026 is 3.5 wins, priced at -115 over and -115 under. This is the betting market's expectation, not a Blue Chip Analytics projection.
UAB Blazers travels 5,788 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 90th heaviest in the FBS.
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
UAB Blazers: 4-3 overall, 4-3 ATS, power rating -9.4 (2026 records).
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