Alabama-Birmingham (2-2, 0-1 C-USA) at Western Kentucky (2-2, 0-1 C-USA), 6:00 p.m. CT, (CUSA Digital Network)

ODDS: Western Kentucky -9 (Vegas Insider)

LAST GAME: UAB 20-16 (10/4/97)

WHAT’S AT STAKE:

The game will be the inaugural C-USA home game for WKU…The Hilltoppers are seeking their first win in C-USA after dropping the conference opener at Middle Tennessee…The game also features another matchup of first-year head coaches with Brohm and UAB coach Bill Clark.

KEY MATCHUP:

WKU’s offense vs. UAB’s defense: The Blazers enter the contest having given up an average of 359 yards per game versus a Hilltopper offense that averages almost 600 per contest. The Blazers gave up 34 points to the conference’s second worst scoring offense in FIU. WKU is averaging 44 points per game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

WKU – QB Brandon Doughty: The senior quarterback is one touchdown away from surpassing his season total of last year (14). Doughty leads the offense with the nation’s second-best passing attack averaging 461.5 per game.

UAB – RB Jordan Howard: WKU’s success in stopping Navy’s triple-option attack last year did not translate the same into last weekend. The Hilltoppers allowed the Midshipmen to rush for 412 yards, and WKU will face another tough run test in Jordan Howard of UAB. Howard is averaging 5.5 yards per carry with nearly 400 yards on the ground for the Blazers. As only a sophomore, Howard already ranks in the top 10 in UAB career rushing.

GAME NOTES:

WKU features three members of the main coaching staff who were former members of the UAB staff with head coach Jeff Brohm as offensive coordinator in 2012 while Helton served as running backs coach….Current WKU offensive line coach Neil Calloway was the Blazers’ head coach from 2007-11….WKU is one of only 12 teams in college football to have only played one home game at this point in the season.