UAB vs South Florida Prediction 10/31/2026 Today’s College Football Picks

The UAB Blazers and the South Florida Bulls will meet Saturday afternoon in an American Athletic Conference matchup at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Let’s take a look at this matchup from a betting perspective.

UAB Blazers Betting Preview

The UAB Blazers enter Saturday’s matchup with a 4-3 overall record (4-0 record at home, 0-3 mark on the road and a 2-1 mark in AAC play). The Blazers have won three of their last four games, including a thrilling 30-17 overtime victory over the East Carolina Pirates two weeks ago.

The UAB offense has been inconsistent through seven games played in 2026. The Blazers are averaging 23.3 points per game while generating 339 total yards per contest. UAB has accumulated 171 passing yards and 168 rushing yards per game this season.

Shifting our focus to the defensive side of the football, UAB has quietly posted solid numbers in 2026. The Blazers are allowing 24.6 points and 316.3 total yards per game. Examining the data more closely, the UAB Blazers are allowing just 126 passing yards per contest which ranks first in the nation.  

Through seven games played in 2026, junior quarterback Ryder Burton has compiled 1,184 passing yards, six passing touchdowns, 27 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Senior wide receiver C.J. Smith has accumulated 19 receptions, 350 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown, while running back Roderick Robinson II has tallied 436 rushing yards.  

South Florida Bulls Betting Preview

The South Florida Bulls enter Saturday’s contest with a 5-2 overall record (3-1 home record, 2-1 mark on the road and a 1-2 mark in AAC play). The Bulls arrive at this contest on the heels of a dominant 29-2 victory over the Kent State Golden Flashes two weeks ago.

The South Florida offense has been rather pedestrian this season. Let me be more specific. The Bulls are averaging 26.6 points and 329.4 total yards per game. Defensively, South Florida has been excellent. The Bulls are allowing just 15.1 points per game, which ranks 10th nationally. They have also limited opponents to only 325.1 total yards per contest and 181 passing yards per game.

Quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. has compiled 1,292 passing yards, six touchdown passes, 87 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Senior running back D.J. Crowther has been the focal point of the South Florida offense, rushing for 518 yards and seven touchdowns.                                                          

Why the UAB Blazers will win.

• Elite pass defense. UAB ranks first nationally, allowing only 126 passing yards per game.

• Recent form. The UAB Blazers have won three of the team’s last four games.        

Why the South Florida Bulls will win.

• Defensive dominance. South Florida is allowing only 15.1 points per game which ranks ninth nationally.

• Red-zone efficiency. The Bulls rank eighth nationally in red zone offense, scoring on 95.5% of the team’s red zone opportunities.

• Quarterback play. Michael Van Buren Jr. has thrown for 1,292 yards without an interception this season.

• Recent series success. South Florida has won the last two meetings against UAB, including a 48-18 victory in 2025.   

UAB Blazers vs. South Florida Bulls Prediction

In my view, this matchup favors the South Florida Bulls. Why? The Bulls have played exceptional defense this season, allowing just 15.1 points per contest which ranks a robust ninth in the nation. Additionally, UAB’s biggest defensive weakness aligns with South Florida’s greatest offensive strength. The Blazers rank 137th nationally in red zone defense, while the Bulls rank eighth nationally in red zone offense. It is also noteworthy that South Florida quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr. has played at a high level in 2026, amassing 1,292 passing yards and six touchdown passes in seven games played this season. For the reasons just noted, I am backing the South Florida Bulls to cover the 6.5 points in this game.

Hans Geevers's Pick: South Florida -6.5