UAB at Illinois - 2026 Matchup Preview

Saturday, September 5th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Memorial Stadium - Champaign, IL

Blazers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Alex Mortensen (2 - 4)
Avg Score : 26 - 38 (25 - 39 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Our Line: Illinois -30.5 (SP+ ILL -29)
Projected Score: UAB: 13 - ILL: 44 (57)
ILL Win prob: 96% | Cover: 54%
UAB Travel: 461 miles

Fighting Illini (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Bret Bielema (37 - 26)
Avg Score : 29 - 24 (31 - 14 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#1)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)

Matchup
Schedules
UAB Players
ILL Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

UAB's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	UAB at Illinois	+30.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for UAB's Schedule

Illinois's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Illinois vs UAB	-30.5
Sat 9/12	Illinois vs Duke	-9
Sat 9/19	Illinois vs Southern Illinois	-34.5
Sat 9/26	Illinois at Ohio State	+21
Sat 10/3	Illinois vs Purdue	-16.5
Sat 10/10	Illinois at Michigan State	-10.5
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/24	Illinois vs Oregon	+12
Sat 10/31	Illinois at Maryland	-6.5
Sat 11/7	Illinois vs Nebraska	-8
Sat 11/14	Illinois at UCLA	-10.5
Sat 11/21	Illinois vs Iowa	+0.5
Sat 11/28	Illinois vs Northwestern	-10

Important Stats (2025)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
UAB	#52 (.19)	42% (65)	26.4	44% (61)	3.12 (36)	139	42% (61)	266	3.63 (76)	#135 (.34)	49% (132)	38.3	50% (131)	48% (125)	4.71 (135)	61.2	1.8	0.8
ILL	#39 (.21)	48% (15)	29.4	48% (15)	3.04 (52)	138	48% (14)	236	4.21 (29)	#96 (.2)	45% (114)	23.6	41% (53)	49% (133)	4.33 (125)	39.5	0.8	1.2

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
UAB		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
ILL		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2025

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
UAB Offense	12	26.4	24.7	42.4%	3.63	1.8	22	404	139	266	4.2	45%	53%	44%	42%	15%	.19
ILL Defense	13	23.6	14.4	45.2%	4.33	1.2	-	-	-	-	-	44%	54%	41%	49%	15%	.2

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
UAB Defense	12	38.3	38.8	48.9%	4.71	0.8	-	-	-	-	-	61%	38%	50%	48%	12%	.34
ILL Offense	13	29.4	31.3	47.8%	4.21	0.8	21	374	138	236	3.9	51%	48%	48%	48%	16%	.21

Additional Stats 2025

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
UAB	12	31:18	22	46%	47%	7.4	61.2	1.8	0.8	4.1	1.4	1	28.9
Illinois	13	30:54	21.2	42%	57%	4.6	39.5	0.8	1.2	4.9	2.2	1	30.3

Run Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
UAB Offense	12	45% (109)	44% (61)	32.9	138.8	4.2	20 (49)	.17 (42)	3.12 (36)	71% (79)	9% (67)	1.09 (24)
ILL Defense	13	44% (10)	41% (53)	-	-	-	-	.07 (50)	2.88 (70)	75% (97)	9% (80)	0.92 (51)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
UAB Defense	12	61% (136)	50% (131)	-	-	-	-	.22 (127)	3.35 (131)	83% (129)	8% (115)	0.91 (42)
ILL Offense	13	51% (59)	48% (15)	35.2	138.2	3.9	21 (40)	.08 (87)	3.04 (52)	73% (56)	10% (87)	0.8 (131)

Pass Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
UAB Offense	12	53% (32)	42% (61)	23.9	36.5	265.6	7.3	11.1	20 (42)	16 (88)	.27 (59)	1.5 (72)	31% (66)	33% (30)	.36 (48)	6% (65)	2.1 (39)
ILL Defense	13	54% (122)	49% (133)	-	-	-	-	-	-	6 (123)	.32 (102)	1.3 (5)	28% (126)	36% (130)	.39 (112)	6% (67)	2 (62)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
UAB Defense	12	38% (1)	48% (125)	-	-	-	-	-	-	4 (100)	.52 (136)	1.9 (135)	27% (131)	32% (93)	.41 (115)	4% (130)	2.1 (106)
ILL Offense	13	48% (76)	48% (14)	19.3	28.6	235.8	8.2	12.2	23 (33)	6 (7)	.41 (21)	1.6 (56)	29% (34)	37% (14)	.37 (43)	6% (51)	1.9 (111)

UAB's Power Ratings
UAB's Power Rating: -18.36 #128
UAB's Offense Rating: 4.75 #105
UAB's Defense Rating: 28.11 #136
2026 Talent Rating: 486.00 #115
Blue Chip Ratio: 1% #17
UAB's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
UAB's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -15.8 #125
UAB's Offense SP+ Rating: 25.5 #80
UAB's Defense SP+ Rating: 39.8 #132

Average Talent
Average American Athletic Talent Rating is 536
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

Power Ratings Matchup
UAB: -18.36 Illinois: 13.45

SP+ Ratings Matchup
UAB: -15.8 Illinois: 12.9

Illinois's Power Ratings
Illinois's Power Rating: 13.45 #28
Illinois's Offense Rating: 16.72 #27
Illinois's Defense Rating: 12.72 #36
2026 Talent Rating: 876.00 #30
Blue Chip Ratio: 0 #24
Illinois's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
Illinois's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 12.9 #24
Illinois's Offense SP+ Rating: 33.3 #27
Illinois's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.7 #41

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 896.78
Average Power Five Talent: 885.22
Average FBS Talent: 707.18

UAB Scoring
Offense: 26.4 PPG
Offense on Road: 24.7
Defense: 38.3 PPG
Defense on Road: 38.8

UAB's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0

Projected Score
Illinois 44
UAB 13

Projected Total Points: 57

Illinois Scoring
Offense: 29.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 31.3
Defense: 23.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 14.4

Illinois's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Illinois	0	0	0 Overs
UAB	0	0	0 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	0 - 0	0 - 0	0 - 0	0 - 0
Road Teams	0 - 0	0 - 0	0 - 0	0 - 0

(#128) UAB at (#28) ILL

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	UAB	ILL
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#128	#28
SP+SP+	#125	#24
Perf GradeGrade	NR	NR
OffenseOff	NR	NR
DefenseDef	NR	NR
Spec TeamsST	NR	NR
TalentTal	#115	#30
Blue ChipsBC%	#17	#24

UAB Injury Report

Illinois Injury Report

UAB on Offense

Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat	UAB Off	ILL Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#65	#114
ExplosiveExp	#29	#37
PPAPPA	#52	#96
PowerPwr	#105	#36
SP+SP+	#80	#41
Pts POPPO	#76	#125
HavocHav	#64	#75

UAB Run Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat	UAB Off	ILL Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#61	#53
Run ExplRExp	#24	#51
PPAExp	#42	#50
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#36	#70
Stuff RateStuff	#54	#70
TackleTak	-	NR

UAB Pass Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 45%
CategoryCat	UAB Off	ILL Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#61	#133
Pass ExplPExl	#72	#5
PPAExp	#59	#102
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#67	#80
DB HavocDB	#65	#67

Illinois on Offense

Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat	ILL Off	UAB Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#15	#132
ExplosiveExp	#118	#91
PPAPPA	#39	#135
PowerPwr	#27	#136
SP+SP+	#27	#132
Pts POPPO	#29	#135
HavocHav	#70	#130

Illinois Run Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat	ILL Off	UAB Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#15	#131
Run ExplRExp	#131	#42
PPAExp	#87	#127
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#52	#131
Stuff RateStuff	#81	#130
TackleTak	-	NR

Illinois Pass Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat	ILL Off	UAB Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#14	#125
Pass ExplPExl	#56	#135
PPAExp	#21	#136
Pass Block/RushP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#87	#115
DB HavocDB	#51	#130

Program Comparison
ILL 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average P4
'26 Profile: Up to Top 25 Contenders

UAB 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Up to Poor G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

No Matchups Past 4 Years

UAB's OC Alex Mortensen (been OC for 3 years)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Ryder Burton	62	98	63%	708	7	5	7.2
Nate Rogers	1	2	50%	0	0	0	0.0

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Braylon McReynolds (Tr)	124	614	3	5.0	74
Ja'Vin Simpkins (Tr)	125	590	2	4.7	46
Nate Rogers	13	84	2	6.5	15
Roderick Robinson II (Tr)	6	22	0	3.7	10

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Kaleb Brown	17	255	2	15.0	61
Antonio Ferguson	10	115	0	11.5	21
Braylon McReynolds (Tr)	15	80	1	5.3	14
Ja'Vin Simpkins (Tr)	17	74	0	4.4	21

View UAB's Full Roster

UAB's DC Todd Grantham (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Calvin Pitcher	38	1	1	0	1
Muaaz Byard (Tr)	37	4	1	1	2
Darrell Sweeting (Tr)	37	1	1	0	0
Shaun Myers (Tr)	37	5	1	0	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Eli Hall (Tr)	11	5	4	1	3
Chris Burge	32	5	4	7	0
Eli Ennis	11	2	2	0	0
Calvin Pitcher	38	1	1	0	1

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jeremiah Jordan (Tr)	19	2	1	0	6
Eli Hall (Tr)	11	5	4	1	3
Delvon Gulley	19	1	0	1	3

ILL's OC Barry Lunney Jr. (been OC for 3 years)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Katin Houser (Tr)	269	408	66%	3300	19	6	8.1
Ty Robinson (Tr)	2	3	67%	77	0	0	25.7

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Ca'Lil Valentine	131	614	4	4.7	25
Kaden Feagin	122	507	7	4.2	26
Aidan Laughery	75	382	3	5.1	57
Katin Houser (Tr)	85	193	9	2.3	14

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Alex Perry (Tr)	56	840	9	15.0	64
Jayshon Platt (Tr)	46	720	5	15.7	48
Collin Dixon	35	548	5	15.7	61
Hudson Clement	36	454	3	12.6	27

View Illinois's Full Roster

ILL's DC Aaron Henry (been DC for 3 years)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Matthew Bailey	76	4	0	1	2
Robert Edmonson (Tr)	47	4	1	5	0
William Holmes (Tr)	45	7	2	5	0
James Thompson Jr.	40	3	2	2	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Darrell Prater (Tr)	21	4	4	0	0
William Holmes (Tr)	45	7	2	5	0
James Thompson Jr.	40	3	2	2	1
Joe Barna	20	2	2	1	2

Pass D	Tack	TFL	PD
Jaheim Clarke	30	1	7
James Kreutz	30	4	3
Deuce Fillmore (Tr)	39	0	3