The UAB Blazers look to notch their first conference victory of the season on Saturday morning at Protective Stadium in Birmingham as they face the Army Black Knights in a game set to kickoff at 11:00 CST on ESPNU. Both teams are off to inauspicious starts. The Cadets, defending AAC champions, have stumbled out of the gate with a 1-3 record, including a season opening loss to FCS member Tarleton State. Army, 0-2 in AAC play, will look to break into the win column against the home standing Blazers, 2-2 overall, 0-1 in AAC play. Both teams have struggled on the defensive side of the field. UAB currently ranks #130 nationally in total defense out of the 134 teams that make up the FBS, while Army ranks #83 in the same category. While the Blazers have fared much better in offensive production, particularly in the passing game, it is the defensive side of the football where UAB must improve exponentially to have any shot if the goal is to win the conference championship. The most eye opening statistic is their inability to stop the opposition on third downs, where UAB is allowing their competition to extend drives at a staggering .577 conversion rate (30-52), good enough to rank only #132 out of 134 teams that consist of the FBS. Blazer head coach Trent Dilfer, at his midweek press conference, emphasized the importance of giving his team needed rest during the bye week. “We had a good bye week, got some really good work done,” said Dilfer. “Gave them some time to get away from football, which I think is important, and rest their bodies a little bit, too.”