While many SEC teams take the opportunity this week to play nonconference cupcakes before ending the regular season with archrivals, Texas A&M hosts Conference USA West Division champions UAB at 6 p.m. Saturday in Kyle Field.

It won’t be an easy one for the Aggies despite being installed as a 17-point favorite. The Blazers enter the contest at 9-1 and sit just outside the AP Top 25.

Here are 10 bold predictions for the game.

1. Aggies cover (-17)

This isn’t going to be as easy a victory as some will find during Cupcake Week in the SEC, but Texas A&M will find enough offense to cover the 17-point spread. The Aggies are coming off a 14-point victory over Ole Miss, and in two previous nonconference victories (over Northwestern State and Louisiana Monroe) they have won by an average of 45 points.

2. Over 45½ points

UAB is averaging 33 points per game, and while the Blazers won’t approach that total, they will score, and added to the Aggies’ output they will push the number above 45½ points. The Aggies are averaging 30 points per game and should top that mark easily on Saturday.

3. Aggies shut down the run

The Blazers are second in C-USA, averaging 238 rushing yards per game. Only once has UAB been held under 100 yards this season, and that was in its most recent game, 97 vs. Southern Miss. Make it two games after Saturday. The Aggies lead the SEC and are second in the nation against the run, giving up just 80 yards per game. They’ve held five of their last six opponents under 100 yards rushing.

4. Running back Trayveon Williams marches on

The SEC’s leading rusher will have another big day on Saturday. And that will be most impressive considering that UAB leads C-USA in total defense. But Williams needs just 144 yards to break Bob Smith’s school record for rushing yards by a junior (1,302), a mark set way back in 1950. He’ll accomplish that feat on Saturday and record his seventh 100-yard game this season. He has 11 total in his career.

5. Quarterback Kellen Mond chugs along

At times it appears that Mond hasn’t progressed in his sophomore season. Yes, he still needs to better protect the football. But the numbers indicate progress. Mond is 137 yards shy of 4,000 career passing yards. He has thrown for 200-plus yards in six consecutive games and eight of 10 this season. Add another to the list. Mond will reach 250 on a UAB defense that leads C-USA against the pass (154.2 yards).

6. Wide receiver field day

As Mond piles up the yardage, Texas A&M’s top two receivers will get plenty of looks. Tight end Jace Sternberger and receiver Quartney Davis are the team’s leading receivers, catching 11 of the 16 touchdown passes this season. Each will haul in another on Saturday, and WR Jhamon Ausbon, who returned to action last week after missing four games with an injury, will get his first of the season.

Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

7. UAB sack artists slowed

The Blazers have recorded a school-record 38 sacks in 10 games. Only Northern Illinois has more (39), but they’ve also played one more game than UAB. Conversely, the Aggies have given up an SEC-high 32 sacks. Only eight teams nationally have given up more. That doesn’t bode well for Mond, who will benefit from a productive and balanced offense on Saturday, leaving the Blazers frustrated with just 1 and possibly 2 sacks for the game.

8. Red zone success

The Aggies have struggled in the red zone this season, converting on just 80.43 percent, which ranks 94th in the country. They’ve had plenty of opportunities, 46 in fact, ranking 16th nationally. That all changes on Saturday, when Texas A&M goes 4-for-4 in the red zone.

9. Aggies remain stingy on third down

Tops in the SEC and third in the nation, Texas A&M is allowing opponents just 25.7 percent conversion on third downs. That percentage is lowered even further as the Aggies hold UAB to just 2-of-11.

10. Touchdowns in bunches

The Aggies rank sixth in the SEC with 36 touchdowns this season. That number increases significantly when Texas A&M puts six on the board at Kyle Field on Saturday.