We always urge you to shop around the various online sports betting shops to find a precious point or point here or there. I like to look at some of the less than prominent schools, to see if I can find a distinct reason why I should bet that game.

This Saturday in Birmingham, Alabama Im very intrigued with a football game that believe it or not doesnt involve the Alabama Crimson Tide or the Auburn Tigers. This is a game between the lowly Troy (1-3) Trojans and the equally inept University of Alabama at Birmingham Blazers.

This point spread opened with the host UAB -9 and the over/under set at 42, but there has been all kinds of action on the visiting Trojans with the number now set at -6 and 39 .

The Trojans opened their season with an easy 38-0 victory over Alabama State, but since then the team has dropped three straight games, including an embarrassing 56-0 setback to Nebraska this past weekend. Troy has struggled against teams in the Conference-USA, posting just a 13-16 ledger. As for the Blazers, they suffered a tough, 16-10 overtime loss to Mississippi State this past weekend. UAB opened its 2006 schedule with a heartbreaking 24-17 setback to Oklahoma but rebounded with a solid 17-12 win over C-USA foe East Carolina. Since the beginning of the 2002 season the Blazers are 13-9 at home. In regards to the all-time series between the two schools, the Trojans hold a slim 3-2 advantage over the Blazers. Last year the Blazers posted a solid 27-7 victory over Troy on the road.

Since their season-opening 38-0 victory the Trojans have been terrible offensively, scoring just 37 points in their last three games. Troy is averaging just 286.8 ypg on the season and the team has struggled terribly with its ground attack, rushing for only 102.8 ypg on the ground. The defensive unit has also struggled for Troy this season, as the team is allowing 28.8 ppg and 403 total ypg. The team is permitting 216.5 ypg through the air but the major issue with the defense is the inability to stop the run, as Troy is surrendering 186.5 ypg on the ground.

Not many positive things can be said about an offense that is averaging only 11.0 ppg and 250 ypg. The Blazers are only posting 144.5 ypg through the air but the major problem is the Blazers' ground game which is churning out a meager 105.5 ypg. In the overtime setback to Mississippi State this past week the Blazers collected just 210 total yards and only 14 first downs. Once again the ground game was woeful since the Blazers could only muster 94 yards on 32 carries (2.9 ypc).

Unfortunately for UAB, the offense has been horrendous because the defensive unit has been solid for the most part. UAB is holding the opposition to just 21.5 ppg and 324.5 ypg. The team is allowing 137.8 ypg on the ground, but has done a commendable job against the pass, surrendering just 186.8 ypg through the air. In the loss to Mississippi State, the Blazers surrendered just 281 total yards, however, 166 of those yards came via the run.

Now that youre armed with all these dreadful statistics, what team are you going to bet at your favorite online sportsbook? I say Troy and heres why!

A tough early schedule has taken a heavy toll on UAB, leaving the Blazers with nine projected starters expected to miss Saturday night's game against Troy. The visitors have had a hectic September with games on the road the past three weeks against powerful Florida State, Georgia Tech, and Nebraska.

I understand that the home side has had to play very good teams in Oklahoma and Georgia, but this is an in-state game. Players from Troy were not considered good enough to make Alabama, Auburn, and UAB and this is their chance for redemption.

The game will be played at a far slower pace than Troy has been exposed to the last three weeks, which will help their offense. The bus trip will be short and the players will get and extra nights sleep in their bed.

Grab the points in this BAMA ballgame!

Online Sports Betting