University of Alabama-Birmingham
Founded: 1936, in Birmingham, Alabama
Student Body: 17,575 students- 11,128 undergraduate
Head Coach: Garrick McGee (1st year head coach)
2012 Record: 0-1, lost to Troy 39-29 in Week 1
Record vs. USC: USC leads the series 2-0
UAB fun fact: UAB has only had a football team since 1991, and only became a D-1 team in 1996.
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For the second week in a row, the Gamecocks will play against a Conference USA team. Last week, the Cocks defeated ECU by the score of 48-10. If the Gamecocks can pull off the win against UAB, it will be Spurrier’s 200th career victory at the collegiate level. It is still unclear whether quarterback Connor Shaw will be back in the line up after injuring his shoulder two weeks ago against Vandy. If Shaw can not play, backup Dylan Thompson will start for the second week in a row. Last week, Thompson looked good as he passed for 330 yards and three touchdowns.
Looking at the Blazer offense: UAB will be led on offense by junior QB Jonathan Perry, who passed for 317 yards and 2 touchdowns against Troy. Perry’s favorite target is Jackie Williams, who has 94 career catches and 1091 total yards. In the backfield the Blazers are led by sophomore running back Darrin Reaves, who ran for 48 yards on 11 carries against Troy.
A Look at the Blazer defense: UAB will be led on defense by a pair of linebackers – Greg Irvin and Marvi Burdette. Against Troy, Irvin and Burdette combined for 22 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. UAB’s defense gave up 453 total yards against Troy and within that there was 262 rushing yards. Look for South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore to get back on track this weekend.
What Might Happen: Just like last weekend, USC will score early and often. Look for Lattimore to break the rushing touchdown record in the first quarter on his way to a big day. I have a feeling Dylan Thompson will start but Connor Shaw will get a few snaps in along the way. Thompson will once again look good throwing for over 250 yards this week. As for Carolina’s defense, look for Clowney and Taylor to put plenty of pressure on Perry. UAB will look to get the ball out quickly to their speedy receivers but just as last week, look for the Gamecocks secondary to once against come up big. USC may give up plenty of yards this weekend but will keep UAB from scoring more then 10 points. I predict that Jimmy Legree, Vic Hampton, and DJ Swearinger will all have a great game.
Prediction: USC 37 UAB 10
Bring on Missouri!
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