CSNbbs

I believe Saturday was a very important win. I know it was against a bad team that had the worst offense. Despite playing poorly on defense in first half there were clearly second half adjustments that worked. We haven't seen a ton of good halftime adjustments. I also believe Smaug was correct about our offense. Despite a poor second half they grew up some on last drive and came through. That was big from a mental standpoint. Also Ty Long hitting game winner and shaking off an earlier miss. Those situations can help change the mindset McGee is so desperately trying to change. It wasn't a landmark win but it was a step forward.

Ill also say that the bye weekly is sorely needed. More time to absorb a new defensive coordinator and get some guys healthy. Hopefully Reeves, Nelson, Farmer, etc will be healthy in two weeks. On a side note I liked seeing Franklin at safety. Hes a good athlete who is too good to sit the bench his senior season. He helped us in all three phases of the game Saturday.

Just my thoughts.

I think we still one season away from being able to complete for the west

Every win for this program is "landmark", IMO, especially in conference play. I'm still of the opinion that this team has what it takes to compete for the Conference right here, right now, and with the exception of the LSU and Vanderbilt games, all losses amassed are to some degree, inexcusable. UAB should be 4-2 instead of 2-4, but hopefully, their most recent win has taught what it takes to win week in and week out..There are never any "days off" for Blazer Football. Especially in Conference USA play. They got two weeks to get ready for the Road Runners. #NoExcuses


..."you can't create the future...by clinging to the past..."

UAB had a lot of things going against them at FIU.

You had an FIU team that was at its highest confidence-wise, after beating Southern Miss - a bad team but one that was supposedly better than FIU.

It was FIU's homecoming and that still means something.

You had a UAB team that harbored doubts about themselves, despite what they say. We were all wondering what affect the changes were gonna have and at halftime things didn't seem much different.

Every team we play takes us for granted. So every team we play is ultra-confident they will win.

The mysterious scoreboard malfunction was, as coach McGee said, "interesting".

Every win is just that -- a win. Wins build a team's unity and spirit better than losses and with an off week coming up, UAB can restore some to health for the stretch run and try to win them all from here.

Coach McGee has apparently decided on Brown as the only reliable QB so if he remains healthy, we probably won't see much of Perry again. I hope it's not like when I saw a coach play Albert Elmore at QB because he would be back "next year" while the other QB was a senior and would not. The "other QB" who seldom even saw the field his senior year was Bart Starr.

I would expect to see more teams "stack the line" to minimize our rushing attack and force the QB to win with his arm. Has Brown exhibited an ability to do that with consistency? We will see in 2 weeks.

Saw this on twitter:

Darrin Reaves and Jordan Howard among C-USA rushing leaders.



http://www.conferenceusa.com/sports/m-fo...fldrs.html

Where on those listings does the UAB passing attack rank?

That's great. Honestly, Howard looked like the better back against FIU. Hopefully we rely on them as much as possible for the remainder of the season, because I think they're going to be the key to winning with any consistency.

(10-14-2013 12:38 PM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote: [ -> ]Where on those listings does the UAB passing attack rank?

http://www.conferenceusa.com/sports/m-fo...fldrs.html

The link below the RB image(reposted above) goes to the actual statistics. Our passing and overall offense is about middle-of-the-pack. Defense is still, well,...

UAB's pass defense is non-existent.

UTSA -12 turnover margin. I would love for the Blazers to benefit from a few of those next week.

Wouldn't it be something if UAB came into that Homecoming game against MT on November 2nd with a chance to not only get to .500, but to go 3-1 in the conference?

(10-14-2013 01:09 PM)Matrix Wrote: [ -> ]Wouldn't it be something if UAB came into that Homecoming game against MT on November 2nd with a chance to not only get to .500, but to go 3-1 in the conference?

Would be huge. Add in storyline of a potential rivalry with MTSU. They may bring a few fans. Could be our best crowd of the year.

(10-14-2013 01:03 PM)BeliefBlazer Wrote: [ -> ]UTSA -12 turnover margin. I would love for the Blazers to benefit from a few of those next week.

I agree, but I said the same thing before the FAU game. Jean's interception Saturday hopefully gave the secondary a little confidence.

(10-14-2013 02:07 PM)stc Wrote: [ -> ]

(10-14-2013 01:09 PM)Matrix Wrote: [ -> ]Wouldn't it be something if UAB came into that Homecoming game against MT on November 2nd with a chance to not only get to .500, but to go 3-1 in the conference?

Would be huge. Add in storyline of a potential rivalry with MTSU. They may bring a few fans. Could be our best crowd of the year.

Precisely what I'm hoping for, "Stick!"


"you can't create the future....by clinging to the past..."

Massey ratings say we have a 43% chance to win @ UTSA and a 46% chance to win against MTSU at home. 79% vs USM. Pretty decent odds. UTSA has has been blown out overall worse than we have in their games, but they've played an overall harder schedule so far (Ok State, Arizona, Rice, Marshall, Houston). Their 2 wins are against teams #191 New Mexico and #246 UTEP. Ours are against #202 FIU and #221 NWSU so not much variation there.

Massey rates UAB as #153 and UTSA as #154.

edit: it is surprising just how bad UTEP is. They have had the easiest SOS in the country for their first 6 games by far and they're 1-5. As far as just FBS schools go, they have played 5 teams in the bottom 25 and their only non bottom 25 team is Tulsa who is somewhere in the 80s. That's crazy.

(10-14-2013 12:39 PM)blazers9911 Wrote: [ -> ]That's great. Honestly, Howard looked like the better back against FIU. Hopefully we rely on them as much as possible for the remainder of the season, because I think they're going to be the key to winning with any consistency.

Dont forget that there is more to running for 159 yds in a game that a good RB has to do. Pass blocking being the most important other duty, in my opinion, as well as running pass routes. Some of those things take more experience than raw power and speed can provide. All that said.. I think He is going to be a great back for us, and his stength and speed are quite impressive for a big guy. Reminds me a lot of Corey White.

Howard is 6' 1", 230lbs, quick and hard to bring down. I am surprised he is not starting.

Let's not forget how good Greg looked coming in after Darren got hurt. He was popping respectable runs towards the end of the game. I'm not hung up on who starts. I'm more interested in who can finish.

I think based on the way McGee talks in general, when he "likes" a player he's at some point going to be the starter so I do see Howard replacing Reeves at some point maybe this year maybe next, only time will tell. He has earned it though as Reeaves has been in a slump to a point & Howard has come through for us. I do like our backfield & it will only get better when Coles gets back though I think McGee might try to sit him all this year instead if he can & use Franklin, Howard & Reeves.