Mississippi State @ Alabama-Birmingham preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 23, 2010 ) Alabama-Birmingham 24, Mississippi State 29

THE STORY: Last in the SEC West and losers in three of its past four games, Mississippi State steps out of conference play Saturday looking for a much needed win at Alabama-Birmingham. The Bulldogs narrowly lost to SEC West foes Auburn and LSU, needed overtime at home to hold off Louisiana Tech and last week trailed from start to finish in a 24-10 loss at Georgia.

The Blazers could be just what the Bulldogs need. UAB is winless on the season and lost its past two games to East Carolina and Troy by a combined six points. Against Troy, the Blazers led by nine points with six minutes left before giving up 10 points in a 1:11 span.

Mississippi State leads the series 3-1, winning 29-24 last season in Starkville, Miss.

TV: FSN. LINE: Mississippi State -16.5

ABOUT MISSISSIPPI STATE (2-3, 0-3 SEC): Turnovers again short-circuited the Bulldogs’ offense against Georgia, as Mississippi State lost a fumble and quarterback Chris Relf threw two interceptions. The Bulldogs are plus-4 in turnovers in their two victories and minus-1 in their three defeats. Running back Vick Ballard is fifth in the SEC in rushing, but was held to just 23 yards last week. Relf has passed for just one touchdown in his past three games against four interceptions.

ABOUT UAB (0-4, 0-2 Conference USA): It has been a struggle on both sides of the ball for the Blazers. UAB ranks 115th in the nation in total offense and 118th in total defense, allowing a whopping 528.8 yards per contest. The Blazers’ two quarterbacks, Bryan Ellis and Jonathan Perry, have yet to throw a touchdown pass in 2011. Perry made his first career start last week. Defensive back Jamie Bender recorded 11 tackles last week, and has reached double digits in tackles in his past three games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Mississippi State has won eight consecutive non-conference games.

2. UAB linebacker Greg Irvin leads the nation with four fumble recoveries, all four coming two weeks ago against East Carolina.

3. Mississippi State linebacker Brandon Wilson recorded nine tackles last week against Georgia, one week after an 18-tackle performance against Louisiana Tech.

PREDICTION: Mississippi State 24, UAB 7 – The Bulldogs have too much depth and talent for the overmatched Blazers, and will pull away in the second half for a much-needed victory.