The next three games to be discussed in this Kickoff Discussion series are, in my view, three of the most important C-USA games for us to win. They are all against other G5 opponents, with all three of those opponent predicted to finish in the upper levels of their conference.

The first of those, Troy @ UAB is the sentimental favorite for me. I REALLY want the Blazers to beat Troy, but I do understand that this is going to be a tough, inter-conference, intra-state, game for UAB, even though at home. (UAB fans really need to come out for this game.)

UAB has a new coach who knows Alabama football and I get a sense that excitement is building in Birmingham for the first time in a while. Jordan Howard is a stud on offense and should produce great numbers, and there is a strong offensive line that can open some holes. QB is clearly an issue, but hopefully someone can step up. The defense, Bill Clark's specialty, needs a lot of work, and Troy will absolutely produce some challenges.

To an extent, Troy is a slightly more talented mirror image of UAB: strong running game, inexperienced QBs, weak -- but improved --defense, but their receiving corp is a bit more talented. That could be the difference in the game.

I think there is every possibility that home field advantage, plus a real need for UAB to get off on the right foot under Bill Clark, CAN result in a much needed Blazers' win. I think all of C-USA should get behind this effort, and root on UAB to an important OOC win. UAB lost in overtime to the Trojans last year in Troy. Let's hope we can return the favor in B-ham.

This is almost a must win. To bolster the image of CUSA being a better football conference than the SBC we have to win games against any SBC team. Troy fans can be obnoxious too.

I'll take my chances with our receivers.

You gotta know that I will pull for UAB (or any other C-USA team) any time they are not playing ODU. Go get 'em, Blazers!

I won't be happy til we beat me by fitty

I'll be content with a win though.

It's not really a must win with a new coach, but I would like to see us win. We have a good chance. Both teams will have new variables to deal with, especially with new players and change. The team that can iron out the wrinkles first will win. I hope our defense can pick up the new scheme early. That would help us. If we win, I dont' want it to be close. I want the Troy fans to leave early. The band can stay and keep rocking though. lol

Yeah. We are in a weird situation this year. I want to win, but I understand that taking lumps short term may be the best for the team long term. I feel like we have a competent coach who wants to be here for the first time in forever. I know for the conference, a UAB loss looks bad, but for us we have to look past this game. Again, I want to win, I just don't think it's imperative. I want the team that takes the field in our 12th game to be better than the team that takes the field in the first game. If we can beat Troy, we can at least discuss the possibility of getting bowl eligible. If not, we can expect another losing season, but at least look for positive signs moving forward.

If we get them down by a large margin, score again with the clock running out we go for two. Then onsides kick.

We tried that, it didn't work

We all have a terrible game with Troy, UAB win more than the difference.