Marshall @ UAB preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 9, 2013 ) Alabama-Birmingham 14, Marshall 56

Marshall may have already sewn up the Conference USA title, but it still has plenty to play for as it travels to UAB on Saturday to face the Blazers. The No. 18 Thundering Herd come in as one of only two unbeaten teams in the Top 25, but will need to win out to improve their chances of landing in a marquee bowl game. Marshall is coming off a 41-14 victory over Rice and boasts the nation's second-ranked scoring offense.

The Blazers remember well just how potent the Marshall offense can be. The Thundering Herd set a school record in last year's meeting, averaging a whopping 12.6 yards per play - and racking up 657 in total - en route to a 56-14 victory at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. Marshall established a second school mark in that one as three players finished with more than 100 rushing yards - the first time that has happened in Thundering Herd history.

TV: Noon ET, American Sports Network. LINE: Marshall -20

ABOUT MARSHALL (10-0, 6-0 Conference USA): The Blazers may not be able to contain one of the greatest offenses in conference history, but they would be wise to do something about Thundering Herd running back Devon Johnson. The Doak Walker Award semifinalist is the runaway conference leader in rushing yards (1,402) and touchdowns (16), and is coming off a 199-yard performance against the overmatched Owls. Quarterback Rakeem Cato is also a threat, coming in with 2,613 passing yards and 26 TDs.

ABOUT UAB (5-5, 3-3): The Blazers will look to end their home schedule on a positive note following last week's 40-24 thumping at the hands of West Division-leading Louisiana Tech. Quarterback Cody Clements has been pedestrian since recording back-to-back 300-yard games against Western Kentucky and North Texas, averaging just 185 yards with two scores and three interceptions in his next three games. Jordan Howard leads the ground attack with 1,157 yards and 10 TDs, and has rushed for 315 yards over his last two games.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Marshall has scored more than 40 points in all but one of its games in 2014.

2. UAB WR J.J. Nelson is averaging 36 yards per kickoff return, and has three 100-yard TD returns on the season.

3. Howard finished with 123 yards on 22 carries in last year's meeting with the Thundering Herd.

PREDICTION: Marshall 45, UAB 17