Miami Hurricanes vs. UAB Blazers: Odds, TV info, live stream, prediction

Miami kicks off the 2020 season with UAB. Can the Hurricanes take care of business, or do the Blazers have plans of their own?

The Miami Hurricanes enter 2020 with high expectations of competing for an ACC Championship. The fast two seasons have been ones to forget as the Hurricanes strive for the same success they had in 2017, a season that saw the Hurricanes finish with 10-wins, an ACC Coastal division first-place finish, and a spot in a New Year’s Six Bowl. But since 2017, the Hurricanes have gone 13-13 (8-8), and lost both of their bowl appearances, bringing them to a 1-9 record in their last 10 bowl games.

But 2020 brings high expectations. And the player leading those expectations is transfer quarterback, D’Eriq King. King comes over from Houston, where he was a human highlight reel and Heisman candidate, which is the same title he has entering his first season with Miami. Joining King from the transfer portal is grad transfer, Quincy Roche, who spent the last four-years at Temple and as one of college football’s most underrated football players. And with Gregory Rousseau deciding to opt-out for the 2020 season, Roche’s presence will be needed and be felt immediately.

For the UAB Blazers, their season started last week and started off the best way possible, with a win over Central Arkansas. Since the UAB program was reinstated, the Blazers have been quite successful, posting winning seasons in all three seasons, one conference title and competing in three bowl games. The Blazers will have their hands full with King but do not let that make you think the Hurricanes will run away with this one.

UAB’s pass rush is stellar, and outside of King, there are some serious questions around Miami’s offense. And not to mention, the Hurricanes are entering 2020 with a new offensive coordinator, and adjusting to a new game plan can be a rough transition at first, especially when you also have a new quarterback. The Blazers have a good chance of pulling off the upset in this one.

How to watch and bet on the Miami-UAB game on Thursday night from Hard Rock Stadium

Date: Thursday, Sept. 10
Start Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Miami Gardens, Florida
Stadium: Hard Rock Stadium
TV Info: ACC Network
Odds: Miami -14, O/U 54.5
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Prediction: Many think this game will be a breakout game for King’s 2020 Heisman resume but there are going to be some struggles early on. With an offseason like no other, King has not had many reps at game speed to form good chemistry with any of his wide receivers. And as stated before, the Blazers have a good pass rush that will force King to use his feet. Unfortunately for the Blazers, King is just as talented with his feet as he is with his arm. The Blazers keep things interesting but the Hurricanes prevail in their season opener.

Score: Miami 34, UAB 20.

For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.