UAB @ Vanderbilt preview

Vanderbilt hosts Alabama-Birmingham in a non-conference game Saturday before starting a seven-game stretch in the SEC. The Commodores are hoping Jordan Matthews - the nation's fourth leading receiver in yards (471) - can help them improve to 2-0 against the Blazers. The first meeting took place in 1996, when UAB lost 31-15 in its first season at the Division I level.

Alabama-Birmingham has met at least one SEC opponent for 12 consecutive seasons and Vanderbilt will be its second of 2013 after losing on the road to LSU 56-17. The Blazers are led by running back Darrin Reaves and wide receiver Jamarcus Nelson, who have combined for nine scores. Austin Brown has also played well for UAB, throwing for 596 yards with six touchdowns and an interception - and will have to keep it up against a defense that held Massachusetts to seven points last week.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, FSN Tennessee, ESPN3. LINE: Vanderbilt -19.5

ABOUT ALABAMA-BIRMINGHAM (1-2): The Blazers dropped their first two games on the road to Troy and No. 6 LSU, but Garrick McGee's team quickly regrouped upon returning home with a dominant performance against Northwestern State. Reaves rushed for 178 yards and two scores in the 52-28 victory over the Demons and ranks second in rushing yards in C-USA. Nelson had a pair of scores against Northwestern State and has six touchdowns through three games, including one each on a punt and kickoff return.

ABOUT VANDERBILT (2-2, 0-2 SEC): The Commodores have split their first four games with two narrow losses to SEC foes Ole Miss (39-35) and No. 13 South Carolina (35-25), but James Franklin's team holds deciding wins over Austin Peay (38-3) and UMass (24-7). Matthews continued his sensational play against UMass with eight catches for 76 yards and a score - the first game this season he hasn't finished with more than 100 yards. Matthews leads the SEC with 32 receptions mostly because of the steady play of Austyn-Carta Samuels, who has thrown for 889 yards and completed 60.7 percent of his passes.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Vanderbilt will be looking for its seventh straight victory against a non-SEC team dating back to last season.

2. The Commodores are seeking their 49th victory over a C-USA opponent.

3. Matthews needs one touchdown reception to become Vanderbilt's all-time leader.

PREDICTION: Vanderbilt 38, Alabama-Birmingham 17