The Really Big Preview: UAB at Memphis

UAB reclaimed the Battle for the Bones last October for the first time since 2011, beating No. 22 Memphis 31-24 in Mortensen's first game as interim head coach. The Blazers return to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium as 14.5-point underdogs against a Memphis team averaging 541.2 yards per game — fourth in the country. The headline matchup: the nation's second-ranked pass defense against the American's No. 1 total offense.

GAME DETAILS

Matchup: UAB at Memphis

Date: Saturday, October 10, 2026

Kickoff: 6 PM CT / 7 PM ET

TV: ESPN2

Location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis, Tenn.

Records: UAB (3-2, 1-0 American) vs. Memphis (4-1, 1-0 American)

Line: Memphis -14.5

Over/Under: 52.5

THE STAKES

Both teams are 1-0 in the American. Memphis opened conference play with a 59-8 win at Charlotte. UAB opened with a 24-20 win at Navy.

The Battle for the Bones trophy — a 94-pound bronze rack of ribs created at Birmingham's Sloss Furnaces — changed hands last year when UAB upset No. 22 Memphis 31-24. Memphis had won the Bones in 2012, and the programs did not play again until 2023 — a gap that included UAB's program shutdown (2014) and reinstatement (2017). Memphis won both meetings when the series resumed (45-21 in 2023, 53-18 in 2024) before UAB's upset last October. Huff has never coached in this rivalry. "I've never lost it," he said. "I've never won it either."

UAB leads the all-time series 11-7 and has won six of the 10 meetings in Birmingham. UAB has played at Memphis only once since the series resumed — a 53-18 loss in 2024. The Blazers' most recent win in Memphis was in 2011, when they erased an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit to win 41-35. This is the 19th meeting between the programs.

Alex Mortensen and Charles Huff worked together on Nick Saban's staff at Alabama from 2019 to 2020 and were part of the 2020 national championship team. This is their first meeting as opposing head coaches.

THE NUMBERS

118.4 — UAB's passing yards allowed per game, second nationally and first in the American. The Blazers have held four consecutive opponents to 140 passing yards or fewer — ULM (56), Louisiana (110), Navy (104) and Samford (140). Memphis leads the American in completion percentage (72.9%) and team passing efficiency with 16 touchdown passes through five games.

541.2 — Memphis' total yards per game, first in the American and fourth nationally. The Tigers have topped 500 yards in four consecutive games: 523 against Arkansas State, 519 at Boise State, 572 against UT Martin and 674 at Charlotte. Memphis averages 8.0 yards per play.

10-of-15 — Opponent red-zone scoring rate against Memphis' defense, the best in the American. All 10 scores have been touchdowns. Memphis has not allowed a red-zone field goal. UAB is 12-for-13 on field goals this season, and Jonah Delange ranks seventh nationally among FBS kickers in total scoring.

5.0 — Sacks for Marlin Dean, tied for eighth nationally and first in the American. Dean also has 8 tackles for loss (12th nationally). Memphis has allowed only 7 sacks in five games, the fifth-fewest in the American.

ABOUT UAB

The Blazers are 3-2 for the first time in four years and have back-to-back wins for the first time in four years — at Navy (24-20) and against Samford (33-14). Losses came at Illinois (42-23) and at Louisiana (21-14). UAB averages 24.0 points per game (98th nationally) and allows 23.4 (70th). The defense ranks 31st nationally in total yards allowed and second in passing yards allowed. The offense ranks 48th in rushing (179.6 per game) but 125th in passing (160.8). UAB has not allowed a fourth-quarter score in its last four games.

This is Mortensen's first full season as head coach after taking over as interim in October 2025, when he went 2-4 over the final six games. His overall record at UAB is 5-6. Three former Memphis players — WR CJ Smith, DB Jeremiah Jordan and DB Jaylen Thompson — are on UAB's roster after transferring before this season.

ABOUT MEMPHIS

The Tigers are 4-1 with wins over UNLV (27-21 in Las Vegas), Arkansas State (42-24), UT Martin (45-21) and Charlotte (59-8). Their only loss came at Boise State (38-20). Memphis averages 38.6 points per game (22nd nationally) and 541.2 yards (4th). The defense allows 22.4 points per game (60th) and 394.4 yards (108th).

This is Huff's first season at Memphis after coaching at Marshall (2021-24) and Southern Miss (2025). His roster includes 61 transfers and 20 freshmen. The Tigers have topped 500 yards in four straight games and have produced touchdown passes of 80, 74 and 72 yards plus rushing touchdowns of 87 and 93 yards. Memphis completed a $226.5 million renovation of Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, which now seats 45,632.

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

Marcus Stokes, QB, Memphis — 90-of-123 (.732), 1,371 yards, 14 touchdowns, 3 interceptions passing; 152 rushing yards. His 304.6 yards per game of total offense ranks second in the American. Top-25 national marks in passing efficiency, completion percentage and yards per attempt.

Marlin Dean, DL, UAB — 5.0 sacks (tied 8th nationally), 8 tackles for loss (12th nationally). Named American Conference Defensive Player of the Week earlier this season. UAB's pass rush has generated 12 sacks in five games on 12% of opponents' pass attempts.

Hunter Tipton, TE, Memphis — 19 receptions, 367 yards, 5 touchdowns. Leads all FBS tight ends in touchdown receptions and ranks third in receiving yards. Named John Mackey Award Player of the Week earlier this season. Averages 73.4 yards per game and 19.3 yards per reception.

Ryder Burton, QB, UAB — 1,499 career passing yards — one yard from 1,500. His career-high 251 yards and 3 touchdowns came against Memphis last year in Mortensen's debut as interim head coach. It was Burton's first career start.

INJURY REPORT / AVAILABILITY

UAB

Nigel Tate (DT) has not played this season. Mortensen said earlier this season that Tate's return "is overdue relative to the time of the injury and what the projected return would be." Jaylen Elder (WR) has not played this season. Payton Kirkland (OT), who suffered a leg injury at Illinois in the opener and missed three games, returned and played the second half against Samford. Kyrik Mason (OT) also played against Samford. Mortensen referenced offensive line injuries dating to training camp and said more linemen are becoming available: "More guys are getting available and are putting themselves in a position to be able to help us."

Memphis

No injury concerns mentioned by Huff during his weekly press conference.

WHEN UAB HAS THE BALL

UAB averages 179.6 rushing yards per game (48th nationally) and 160.8 passing yards (125th). Memphis allows 176.2 rushing yards (111th) and 218.2 passing yards (84th). UAB's offense ranks 112th nationally in total yards (340.4). Memphis' defense ranks 108th (394.4).

Rod Robinson II leads UAB with 338 rushing yards at 4.6 per carry. Bam McReynolds has 4 rushing touchdowns. Burton has completed 56% of his passes for 791 yards and 4 touchdowns this season. Ty Mims and EJ Reid each have 223 receiving yards. Both Mims and CJ Smith have receptions of 50-plus yards.

Memphis' red-zone defense is relevant here. Opponents have scored on 10 of 15 red-zone trips — the best defensive rate in the American — and all 10 scores have been touchdowns. Memphis has not allowed a red-zone field goal. UAB has completed 1 of 6 passes in the red zone this season, the third-worst rate in FBS.

Huff described UAB as physical. "This will be the most physical game that we'll probably play up until this point," he said. "They run to the ball, they hit, they strike." He called Burton "a fiery competitor" who "can make all the throws" and has "a really good handle of the offense."

UAB averages 59.8 penalty yards per game (81st nationally). Memphis averages 44.8 (22nd).

WHEN MEMPHIS HAS THE BALL

Memphis averages 541.2 total yards per game (4th nationally). UAB allows 300.6 (31st). The American's No. 1 total offense against the conference's No. 1 total defense.

Stokes has completed 73.2% of his passes for 1,371 yards, 14 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Memphis averages 15.0 yards per completion, 6.1 yards per carry and 8.0 yards per play.

Jaylin Carter has rushed for 513 yards and 6 touchdowns on 70 carries (7.3 per carry, 102.6 per game), second in the American. Carter also has 4 receptions for 56 yards and a receiving touchdown, giving him 7 total touchdowns.

Tipton's 367 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns lead the team. Jermane Hayes had a 93-yard reception against Charlotte — the second-longest passing play in Memphis history — and has 22 catches for 242 yards. Stonka Burnside (143 yards, 2 touchdowns) was highlighted by Randy Moss as the "You Got Mossed" play of the week for a 19-yard touchdown catch.

UAB's pass defense has held four consecutive opponents to 140 passing yards or fewer. Memphis' explosive-play ability will test that streak. Dean's 5.0 sacks lead the matchup against an offensive line that has allowed only 7 sacks in five games.

Mortensen said Memphis has a good roster and is well-coached. "There's not a lot of times where you're seeing guys out of position or doing something that's unsound," he said.

UAB WINS IF

The pass defense holds Memphis' passing attack below its season average of 290.8 yards. UAB has held four straight opponents to 140 or fewer passing yards, but none of those four rank in the top 25 nationally in passing offense. Dean and the pass rush generate pressure against an offensive line that has allowed only 7 sacks. Burton avoids turnovers — Memphis has forced 8 takeaways this season (5 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries). The run game controls clock — UAB averages 31:23 in time of possession (3rd in the American) — and limits Memphis' offensive possessions. UAB's fourth-quarter defense, which has allowed 1 score on 17 opponent drives this season (second-best in FBS), holds through the final period.

MEMPHIS WINS IF

The Tigers score early and force UAB to chase. UAB has outscored opponents 50-10 in the second half over the last four games and has not allowed a fourth-quarter score in that stretch — but the Blazers' offense has not shown it can sustain production for four quarters. A fast start puts UAB in a position it hasn't handled well: pressing on offense. The explosive passing game breaks through UAB's secondary — Memphis has produced touchdown passes of 80, 74 and 72 yards this season, and Stokes' 73.2% completion rate goes against a UAB defense allowing opponents to complete 59.2% of passes. Carter's ground game (7.3 yards per carry) moves the chains against UAB's rush defense, which allows 182.2 yards per game (116th nationally). The red-zone defense forces UAB's offense — which has completed 1 of 6 red-zone passes this season — to settle for field goal attempts instead of touchdowns.

X FACTOR

Hurricane Isaias. The remnants of the first Gulf hurricane of 2026 are expected to bring rain and gusty winds to Memphis on Saturday, with showers developing by early afternoon and wind gusts reaching 35 mph. Kickoff is 6 PM. Memphis' offense is built on explosive passing — touchdown passes of 80, 74 and 72 yards this season, 15.0 yards per completion, 8.0 yards per play. Rain and wind suppress all of that. UAB's offense runs the ball (179.6 yards per game) and controls clock (31:23 time of possession, third in the American). If conditions deteriorate, the game Memphis wants — a track meet fueled by the nation's fourth-ranked total offense — becomes the game UAB wants: a grind. Check the National Weather Service forecast for Memphis for the latest conditions.

COACH SPEAK

Charles Huff, Memphis, on UAB:

"This will be the most physical game that we'll probably play up until this point. They run to the ball, they hit, they strike. ... Their numbers from an execution standpoint are really efficient. They've got some really talented players at all levels and all positions."

Alex Mortensen, UAB, on where the program stands:

"I think it's the first time we've been three and two in four years. First time we've had back-to-back wins in four years. ... There are some good things happening culturally, but far from where we need to go as a program."

THE PREDICTIONS

Source: Pick

FanDuel / numberFire: Memphis (94.2% win probability)

BetMGM: Memphis (76.9% win probability)

Bleacher Report: Memphis 38, UAB 21

Doc's Sports (Josh Schonwald): UAB +14.5

Models heavily favor Memphis. Doc's Sports takes UAB to cover the 14.5-point spread. The over/under ranges from 52.5 (FanDuel) to 59.5 (BetMGM). UAB has gone Under in 4 of 5 games this season. Memphis has gone Over in 4 of 5.

DIEHARD BOTTOM LINE

It's hard to say this is a revenge game for the Tigers, given that both rosters underwent a complete overhaul and Memphis has a new coaching staff. And while there is a trophy — a very cool one — I'm not sure rivalry plays much into it either. At least not until the whistle blows.

Memphis would like to chase the conference championship and the College Football Playoff. UAB would very much like to spoil that for the second consecutive year and take another big step forward in Alex Mortensen's rebuild.

The Blazers' defense is much improved, but the stats are a bit misleading in that they haven't faced an offense anywhere near the caliber of the Memphis attack. The Blazers will need to keep up the pressure on the quarterback and add more turnovers to their ledger. On offense, the Blazers have not been clicking on all cylinders. Saturday would be a good day to do that, but so far, we haven't seen the consistency needed to win a track meet against the Tigers.

Pick: Memphis 38, UAB 23 — Memphis covers

Season record (UAB picks): 3-2 SU, 2-2 ATS