3% ULM (7:00 ET): I’m a person that tends to keep my most biting critiques to myself, however, now is the time to let you know that I thought UAB hiring Trent Dilfer to be the HC last year was an abysmal decision. Dilfer is way over his head at this level and will certainly take this program backwards after it was resurrected by the great Bill Clark. Interestingly enough, when Clark stepped down for health reasons, the Blazers’ locker room was vocal that OC Bryant Vincent (who also served as interim HC) should be promoted to full-time HC. Those cries fell on deaf ears when the school hired Dilfer. Vincent left the program to go be OC at New Mexico, who had a big offensive turnaround in 2023 (13.1 to 27.3 PPG). Vincent is now the HC at ULM. Guess who UAB faces this week? 

To say Vincent and his coaching staff will be treating this game very seriously would be colossal understatement. This is Vincent’s chance to show his former employer that they made the WRONG decision (which they did). Again, it’s not just Vincent. He hired several assistants from the old UAB staff so ULM knows this opponent very well. Certainly, they are aware that UAB was a pathetic 0-6 SU on the road last season with five of those losses coming by double digits. Also, the Blazers are 0-10 ATS off a SU win the L2 years. 

Last week, UAB beat FCS Alcorn State in the season opener, 41-3. That’s not enough to convince me that they are now able to win a road game by double digits, especially against a motivated opponent. ULM snapped a 10-game SU losing skid last week with their own blowout of a FCS opponent (Jackson State). Vincent’s offense went for 200+ on the ground, led by 103 from Ahmad Hardy, and the Warhawks’ QB is General Booty (great name!), who is a transfer from Oklahoma. You can bet ULM has had this game circled all off season and not only do I like their chances of covering, but they can win this on the field. UAB has Arkansas on deck while ULB is off next week. Take the points. 3% UL Monroe (Play to +10)