UAB @ South Carolina preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 27, 2008 ) Alabama-Birmingham 13, South Carolina 26

Head coach Steve Spurrier looks to record his 200th career win Saturday as No. 8 South Carolina hosts UAB in Columbia. Spurrier would become the 71st coach in college football history to reach that mark but may need to rely on backup quarterback Dylan Thompson for the second consecutive week to do so. Starter Connor Shaw's status remains up in the air after an injury to his throwing shoulder in the season opener. UAB enters the game fresh off a bye following a season-opening loss 39-29 loss to Troy at home.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FoxSportsNet (Regional), ESPN3.com. LINE: South Carolina -33.5

ABOUT ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM (0-1): Facing a stout South Carolina defense, the Blazers will have to limit turnovers if they are to have any shot at an upset. Quarterback Jonathan Perry passed for 317 yards against Troy but threw a costly interception and lost a fumble down the stretch, with each turnover leading to a touchdown for the Trojans. UAB totaled four turnovers in the loss. Junior wideout Jackie Williams led the offense against Troy, hauling in six catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns.

ABOUT SOUTH CAROLINA (2-0): The Gamecocks have won six straight dating back to last season and would match the second-longest win streak in school history by defeating UAB. Junior running back Marcus Lattimore will set the South Carolina career record for touchdowns with his next trip to the end zone after tying the record to open the scoring against East Carolina last week. Shaw's 9-1 record in 10 career starts is the best for a Gamecocks quarterback in 40 years and his 65.9 percent completion percentage ranks first in school history. Thompson proved to be more than capable in his first career start, throwing for 330 yards and three touchdowns.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. South Carolina whipped UAB 42-10 in the first meeting between the schools in 2003, but the last meeting in 2008 was much closer, with the Gamecocks coming out on top 26-13.

2. Williams has hauled in at least one catch in 24 straight games for UAB. Only Roddy White and Derrick Ingram, each with a catch in 35 straight, have longer streaks in school history.

3. Spurrier is 45-0 all-time facing schools outside of BCS automatic qualifier conferences and 19-0 at South Carolina.

PREDICTION: South Carolina 52, UAB 10