The Navy Midshipmen will visit the UAB Blazers for an American Conference matchup on Friday, September 25. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama, and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
Navy enters the matchup with a 1-1 overall record and an 0-1 conference mark. The Midshipmen defeated Towson 42-15 before suffering a 38-30 road loss against Florida Atlantic. UAB is 1-2 after losing 42-23 to Illinois, defeating Louisiana-Monroe 26-20 and falling 21-14 at Louisiana. Navy leads the all-time series 3-0, including a 38-24 victory last season.
The current betting line lists Navy as a seven-point road favorite, with the total set at 51.5 points. Navy is approximately -270 on the moneyline, while UAB is around +230. Betting lines may move before kickoff. For additional analysis throughout the season, visit our free college football picks page.
Navy Continues to Dominate on the Ground
Navy’s offense remains one of the most distinctive and difficult assignments in college football. The Midshipmen are averaging 36 points and 460 total yards per game, with an extraordinary 376 rushing yards per contest. Navy has averaged 6.9 yards per carry and scored eight rushing touchdowns through two games. The Midshipmen rank second nationally in rushing offense and sixth in yards per rushing attempt. They have also converted all five of their red-zone opportunities into touchdowns.
Senior quarterback Braxton Woodson is the engine of the attack. Woodson has carried 35 times for 296 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 8.5 yards per attempt. He ran for 200 yards and three touchdowns in the season opener against Towson. Jackson Gutierrez gives Navy another dangerous runner and change-of-pace quarterback. Gutierrez has produced 106 rushing yards and three touchdowns while completing 6 of 12 passes for 100 yards and two scores.
Fullback Vic Listorti has added 116 yards on only 15 attempts, while Michael Barrow has contributed 81 yards. Navy can attack every gap with the quarterback, fullback and perimeter runners, forcing the defense to remain disciplined for an entire possession. Woodson’s explosiveness makes the offense more dangerous than a conventional ball-control option attack because one missed assignment can become a 40-yard gain.
The passing game is used selectively. Navy averages only 84 passing yards, but its completions have produced 14 yards apiece. Jordan Collins has two receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown, while Charles Robinson has four catches for 36 yards and a score. UAB cannot completely ignore those targets while committing additional defenders against the run.
Navy’s offensive line is the foundation of the matchup advantage. Sean Crowley, Jake Polito, Cam Nichols, Hoke Smith II and Malcolm Johnson provide experience and continuity from the unit that led the country in rushing last season. Navy has surrendered only two sacks through two games and controls possession for an average of 33 minutes.
UAB Searching for Offensive Consistency
UAB averages 21 points and 337.3 total yards per game. The Blazers have produced 178 rushing yards and 159.3 passing yards per contest, but their offense averages only 4.9 yards per play. That is a major concern against a Navy team capable of limiting possessions and building extended drives.
Quarterback Ryder Burton has completed 41 of 72 passes for 478 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. His 56.9% completion rate and 6.6 yards per attempt reflect an offense that has struggled to consistently generate explosive plays. Burton threw for 219 yards against Illinois but was limited to 115 yards against Louisiana-Monroe and 144 yards against Louisiana.
Rod Robinson II leads the backfield with 225 yards on 48 attempts, averaging 4.7 yards per carry. The Georgia transfer has the size to run through contact, but he has not recorded a rushing touchdown. Ty Mims leads the receiving corps with nine catches for 120 yards, while EJ Reid, CJ Smith and Bam McReynolds provide additional options.
UAB has converted an impressive 47.8% of its third downs, but its red-zone execution has been far less efficient. The Blazers have scored touchdowns on only three of eight red-zone trips. They have remained competitive partly because kicker Jonah Delange is a perfect 7-for-7 on field goals.
The problem is that UAB’s offensive strength runs directly into Navy’s greatest defensive strength. The Midshipmen rank second nationally in rushing defense, allowing only 40.5 yards per game and 1.3 yards per carry. Navy has not surrendered a rushing touchdown this season. If Robinson cannot establish consistent gains on early downs, Burton will have to carry the offense in obvious passing situations.
Navy vs UAB Position-by-Position Rankings
These matchup grades are based on current production, personnel, efficiency and how each unit matches up against Friday’s opponent.
| Position Group | Navy Grade | UAB Grade | Matchup Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | 8.5/10 | 6.0/10 | Navy — Strong |
| Running Backs | 8.5/10 | 6.5/10 | Navy — Strong |
| Receivers/Tight Ends | 6.5/10 | 7.0/10 | UAB — Slight |
| Offensive Line | 9.0/10 | 6.5/10 | Navy — Strongest |
| Defensive Line | 8.0/10 | 6.0/10 | Navy — Strong |
| Linebackers | 8.5/10 | 6.5/10 | Navy — Strong |
| Secondary | 6.0/10 | 7.0/10 | UAB — Moderate |
| Special Teams | 6.0/10 | 9.0/10 | UAB — Strong |
| Coaching/Scheme | 9.0/10 | 6.5/10 | Navy — Strong |
| Overall | 8.2/10 | 6.7/10 | Navy |
Quarterback: Navy
Burton is the more conventional passer, but Woodson is considerably more valuable within Navy’s system. Woodson is averaging 148 rushing yards per game and 8.5 yards per carry. His ability to read the defensive front and turn a minor crease into an explosive run gives Navy the stronger quarterback matchup.
Gutierrez also allows Navy to rotate quarterbacks without abandoning the offense’s identity. Burton has thrown three interceptions in three games and will face a Navy pass rush that has registered six sacks.
Running Backs: Navy
Robinson is a powerful lead back for UAB, and McReynolds gives the Blazers an experienced complementary option. Navy nevertheless owns the advantage because of its depth, efficiency and distribution.
Listorti is averaging 7.7 yards per carry, Gutierrez is averaging 7.1, Barrow is averaging 6.2 and Woodson is averaging 8.5. The Midshipmen do not need one runner to carry the offense because the scheme consistently creates opportunities for several players.
Receivers and Tight Ends: UAB
This is one of UAB’s few offensive advantages. Mims, Reid and Smith give Burton a deeper conventional receiving corps. Navy has big-play potential with Collins, Robinson and Luke Hutchison, but the Midshipmen have completed only 12 passes.
The difference is smaller than the passing totals suggest. Navy’s play-action game can create wide-open opportunities if UAB’s safeties become overly aggressive against the run.
Offensive Line: Navy
Navy has the clearest advantage at the line of scrimmage. The Midshipmen returned four starters from an offensive line that powered the country’s leading rushing offense in 2025. Navy is now averaging 6.9 yards per carry and has allowed only two sacks.
UAB’s line has allowed seven sacks through three games. Payton Kirkland, Jaden Ligon, Adam Lepkowski, Calib Perez and Barrett Maddox must also deal with Navy’s movement, pressure packages and experienced linebackers.
Defensive Line: Navy
Aiden Lyczek has recorded three tackles for loss and two sacks, while Connor Young has added another sack. Griffen Willis and Xavyer Arrington provide the interior size needed to occupy blockers and keep Navy’s linebackers clean.
UAB’s defensive front has been rebuilt around transfers such as Tylin Jackson, Cam Cunningham, Chris Spencer and Blanche Gold. The Blazers have shown improvement, but they have allowed 192 rushing yards per game and 4.7 yards per attempt. That is a difficult profile against Navy’s option offense.
Linebackers: Navy
MarcAnthony Parker leads Navy with 18 tackles, two tackles for loss and one sack. Coleman Cauley has added 13 tackles after recording 79 tackles, two interceptions and three forced fumbles last season.
UAB’s Ike Esonwune and Muaaz Byard have the athletic ability to disrupt Navy’s reads, but they must play assignment-perfect football. Navy’s misdirection punishes linebackers who pursue too aggressively or hesitate at the mesh point.
Secondary: UAB
Navy’s most obvious weakness is its pass defense. The Midshipmen are allowing 296.5 passing yards per game and have surrendered seven passing touchdowns without an interception. Florida Atlantic threw for 386 yards and five touchdowns in Navy’s most recent game.
UAB has allowed only 116 passing yards per game. Darrell Sweeting, Delvon Gulley, Anta’Veon McKenzie, Jeremiah Jordan and Diezel Wilkinson give the Blazers an experienced, transfer-heavy secondary. However, that statistical strength will have limited impact if Navy attempts only 12 to 15 passes.
Special Teams: UAB
UAB has the biggest special-teams advantage. Delange has converted all seven field-goal attempts, including four against Louisiana-Monroe. Navy is 0-for-1 on field goals, although Jacob Carlson has averaged 44.2 yards per punt and Isaiah Bryant has averaged 32.5 yards on two kickoff returns.
The Blazers’ ability to finish stalled drives with three points is important to the Under 51.5, but field goals may not be enough if Navy consistently converts its own red-zone possessions into touchdowns.
The Matchup That Decides the Game
Everything comes back to Navy’s rushing offense against UAB’s rushing defense.
Navy averages 376 rushing yards and 6.9 yards per attempt. UAB allows 192 rushing yards and 4.7 yards per carry. The Blazers have already surrendered seven rushing touchdowns, while Navy has scored eight. Navy also ranks second nationally in rushing defense, creating a substantial advantage on both sides of the ground game.
UAB’s best path is to score first, force Navy to play from behind and attack the Midshipmen’s vulnerable secondary. The Blazers, however, have scored only 21 points per game and have not demonstrated the passing efficiency necessary to consistently exploit that weakness.
If Navy controls the first half with its rushing attack, Burton will eventually be forced into predictable passing downs. That invites pressure from Lyczek, Willis, Parker and Cauley and increases the possibility of sacks or turnovers.
Navy vs UAB Picks and Prediction
Best Bet: Navy -7
Navy has the better offensive line, defensive front, linebacker unit, rushing attack and overall scheme. The Midshipmen should be able to control possession against a UAB defense allowing 192 rushing yards per game. Navy’s perfect touchdown rate in the red zone also stands in direct contrast to a UAB offense that has scored touchdowns on only three of eight red-zone trips.
The Midshipmen’s pass defense is a legitimate concern, but UAB has averaged only 159.3 passing yards and Burton has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. UAB’s home-field advantage and special teams should keep the Blazers competitive early, but Navy’s rushing depth should take control as the game progresses.
Total Pick: Under 51.5
Navy’s offense can score efficiently, but its approach naturally reduces the number of possessions. The Midshipmen average 33 minutes of possession, while UAB averages 32:31. Both teams are comfortable running the football and producing long drives.
UAB has scored 26 or fewer points in all three games, including only 14 against Louisiana. Navy should limit the Blazers’ rushing attack and force Burton to sustain drives through the air. UAB may reach scoring range several times, but its red-zone problems could turn potential touchdowns into field-goal attempts.
Final Score Prediction: Navy 31, UAB 17
Final Picks: Navy -7 and Under 51.5
This preview was completed on September 22, 2026. Betting lines, starting personnel, availability information and game details may change before kickoff.
