UAB vs Navy Prediction & Betting Tips for Week 4 on 9/25/2026

Week 4 of the 2026 regular season brings us an exciting matchup between the Navy Midshipmen and the UAB Blazers at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, AL. This Friday night game will be broadcasted live on ESPN at 7:00 PM. Both teams are looking to improve their records, with Navy standing at 1-1 and UAB at 1-2 for the season.

Navy, representing the American Conference, comes into this game after a mixed start to the season. They secured a significant victory against Towson Tigers at home but faced a setback on the road against Florida Atlantic Owls. Their impressive ground game will be a key factor against UAB, as they have already demonstrated their capability with a substantial 506 rushing yards in their opening game.

UAB, also part of the American Conference, will be looking to leverage their home-field advantage, where they are undefeated this season. Their recent win at home against Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks highlighted their strong rushing attack, amassing 267 yards on the ground. However, they will need to tighten their defense after allowing substantial points in both of their road games.

UAB vs Navy At a Glance

• Game Date and Time: September 25, 2026, at 7:00 PM
• Location: Protective Stadium, Birmingham, AL
• TV Channel: ESPN
• Navy's Record: 1-1 overall, 0-1 conference
• UAB's Record: 1-2 overall, 0-0 conference
• Game Odds: Navy -278, UAB +226

UAB Blazers Look to Ignite the Home Crowd Against Navy

Offensive Overview

The UAB Blazers have had a mixed start to their 2026 season with a 1-2 record. Their offense has shown strength in the rushing game, ranking 51st with 535 yards. However, their passing game needs improvement, ranked 104th with 478 yards.

Quarterback Ryder Burton has been at the helm, throwing for 478 yards with two touchdowns in three games. Despite his efforts, the Blazers' passing attack hasn't reached its full potential, and reducing interceptions will be crucial moving forward.

Defensive Insights

Defensively, the Blazers have been effective in creating turnovers with four sacks, ranking 11th, and recovering two fumbles, ranking 5th. Their interception game is also strong, with one interception placing them 2nd in the rankings.

However, UAB has allowed 83 points against them, indicating room for improvement in minimizing opponent scoring opportunities. Solidifying their defensive line will be key as they prepare for their upcoming game against Navy.

Recent Performances

In their most recent outing, UAB fell to Louisiana-Lafayette with a 21-14 defeat, struggling to capitalize on their offensive drives. The Blazers secured 11 first downs compared to the Cajuns' 21, underscoring their offensive challenges.

On a brighter note, the Blazers clinched a victory against Louisiana-Monroe, winning 26-20. Their rushing attack was dominant, accumulating 267 yards, highlighting their potential on the ground.

Key Players to Watch

Running back Rod Robinson II stands out with 225 rushing yards, ranking 56th nationally. His performance will be pivotal in bolstering UAB's ground game against Navy.

Receiver EJ Reid leads the receiving corps with 12 receptions for 119 yards, showcasing his role as a primary target for Burton. Reid's ability to make plays will be vital for UAB's passing success.

Injury Concerns

The Blazers face some injury hurdles, notably with Nigel Tate (DT) out due to an Achilles injury. Receiver Kaleb Brown is questionable, dealing with an undisclosed issue, which may impact UAB's offensive depth.

Jaylen Elder's absence is also a concern, as he remains sidelined with an undisclosed injury. The Blazers will need their depth players to step up in these key positions.

UAB Top Betting Trends

• SU - As Favorite: 4-0 (100.0%) in last 4 games (2024–2026)
• SU - Home Games: 18-9 (66.7%) in last 27 games (2021–2026)
• O/U - After Loss: 19-10 (65.5%) in last 29 games (2022–2026)
• O/U - Home Games: 17-10-1 (60.7%) in last 28 games (2021–2026)
• O/U - As Underdog: 18-11-1 (60.0%) in last 30 games (2022–2026)
• O/U - All Games: 14-10-1 (56.0%) in last 25 games (2024–2026)

Navy Midshipmen Set Sail for a New Challenge Against the UAB Blazers

Offensive Overview

In the 2026 season, the Navy Midshipmen have demonstrated a strong rushing attack, ranking 16th nationally with 752 rushing yards. Their ground game remains the cornerstone of their offense, despite a less potent passing game, which ranks 155th with only 168 passing yards. This heavy reliance on rushing is a signature aspect of Navy's offensive strategy.

Quarterback Braxton Woodson has taken the lead in orchestrating the offense, attempting 17 passes with a total of 68 passing yards. While his passing numbers are modest, his leadership in the rushing game has been pivotal. Woodson's ability to manage the offense and make critical plays on the ground is crucial for Navy's success.

Defensive Insights

Navy's defense has been a mixed bag, showing a strong presence in certain areas while leaving room for improvement in others. They have allowed 53 points this season, placing them 33rd nationally in points against. Their ability to apply pressure has been notable with 6 sacks, ranking 9th nationally.

Despite the pressure on opposing quarterbacks, the Midshipmen have yet to record an interception this season. Their defense must capitalize on turnover opportunities to increase their chances of controlling the game's tempo. Their focus on enhancing defensive takeaways could be a game-changer moving forward.

Key Players to Watch

Running back Vic Listorti stands out with 116 rushing yards and a touchdown to his name this season. His contributions on the ground complement Navy's rushing-heavy offense, making him a key player to watch against UAB. Additionally, tight end Jordan Collins has shown potential in the receiving game, with 68 receiving yards and a touchdown, adding a layer to their offensive capabilities.

On the defensive side, players like Mason Frey and Brady O'Connor, both listed as questionable, play vital roles. Their availability could influence Navy's defensive performance significantly. Keeping these players healthy and on the field will be critical for maintaining defensive stability.

Recent Performance

The Midshipmen enter the game with a 1-1 record, recently falling to Florida Atlantic 38-30. Their performance showcased a strong rushing game but also highlighted areas of improvement in their defense, particularly against the pass. Their earlier victory against Towson, winning 42-15, displayed their potential when all facets of the game align.

In their matchup against Towson, Navy's rushing game was dominant, racking up 506 rushing yards. Replicating such performances against tougher opponents will be key to their success this season. Maintaining consistency in their rushing attack is crucial as they face the UAB Blazers.

Team Betting Trends

• SU - As Favorite: Last 17 Games (2023–2026) → 15-2 (88.2%)
• SU - Home Games: Last 7 Games (2025–2026) → 7-0 (100.0%)
• O/U - As Favorite: Last 5 Games (2025–2026) → 5-0 (100.0%)
• O/U - After Win: Last 20 Games (2023–2026) → 16-4 (80.0%)
• SU - All Games: Last 25 Games (2024–2026) → 19-6 (76.0%)

UAB vs Navy Prediction: Over 51.5

Both UAB and Navy have demonstrated offensive capabilities this season, with Navy ranking 16th in rushing yards and UAB showing solid passing stats. The game should see offensive success, especially as the Navy is coming off a high-scoring game against Florida Atlantic. Historically, these teams have exceeded totals greater than 50, as evidenced by Navy's trend of hitting the over in 10 of their last 12 games with totals above 50.

UAB's home games also trend towards higher scoring, hitting the over 60.7% of the time in their last 28 games. This pattern, combined with UAB's ability to bounce back offensively after a loss, suggests they will contribute significantly to the total score. Navy's reliance on a strong running game should help control the tempo and extend drives, potentially leading to more scoring opportunities.

Additionally, UAB's defense has allowed an average of 27.67 points per game this season, while Navy has scored and allowed a combined average of 62.5 points in their games so far. Given the offensive tendencies of both teams, the conditions seem favorable for a high-scoring affair.

Considering these factors, the total points should comfortably surpass the 51.5 mark. Projected final score: Navy 35 - UAB 31.

• UAB vs Navy Prediction: Over 51.5
• UAB vs Navy Score: Navy 35 - UAB 31

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