Today, let's talk UAB. Bill Clark has earned the respect of most logical fans around C-USA, and unfortunately, I believe he has built a roster ready to challenge for the western division, especially considering their schedule.
Which games do you feel they will win, and which should they lose? What is the logic for your predictions?
Here is the schedule with my predictions. C-USA fans, I look forward to reading your thoughts.
W- Savannah State (FCS win)
W- @Coastal Carolina (Big win over one of the bad Sun Belt team)
W- Tulane (Solid win over an AAC opponent)
W- Charlotte (Easy cross-divisional win)
W- @LA Tech (Toughest divisional road game but UAB wins)
W- @ Rice (Easy divisional win)
W- North Texas (Decides the western division)
W- @UTEP (Could run up the score)
W- UTSA (UAB is too good for UTSA this season)
W- Southern Miss (UAB all night)
L- @Texas A&M (UAB is good but not that good)
L- @MTSU (Tough to beat a healthy Stock @MT)
I think best case scenario we finish 9-3 w/ losses @La Tech, @Texas A&M, and @MTSU. I’ll ultimately predict 8-4 because I think we drop 1 home game to either Tulane or North Texas.
Strangely enough, Joe, I called UAB exactly the same as you did at 10-2. I have them winning the West, but losing to Marshall in the championship game.
By the way, thanks for the hard work you put in on these breakdowns. Good job.
+1
I wouldn't be surprised if anyone looked at our schedule and said 11-1 going into a bowl. I also believe 8-4 would have this team under-performing vs MTSU, UNT, and La tech.
I learned a few years ago, that snapping a football each fall may not be guaranteed and I shouldn't take a single game for granted. I'm just ready for this season to start.
Is this the same team that lost their bowl game to Ohio 41-6?
I think we go 9-3 with losses @La Tech, @Texas A&M, and @MT. 8-4 is also a definite possibility if we lose a home game (NT would be the most likely contender there). I could also see 10-2 if everything goes right at home and we steal either the La Tech or MT games on the road.
(08-23-2018 07:14 AM)va-eagle Wrote: [ -> ]Is this the same team that lost their bowl game to Ohio 41-6?
I think what you saw was a team that had been through a whole hell of a lot and was ready to take a breather and enjoy being in a paradise for a week. You can bet they've been reminded of that performance all off season. We also added some significant pieces at RB and WR. I predict we'll have the deepest backfield in the conference this year.
I really don't understand the UAB hype this year.
I predict losses to USM, La Tech, UNT, MTSU, and A&M.
(08-23-2018 08:54 AM)LaTechBanjo Wrote: [ -> ]I really don't understand the UAB hype this year.
I predict losses to USM, La Tech, UNT, MTSU, and A&M.
The hype comes from their success last season in their first year back plus the players they have returning. UAB, UNT, and La Tech appear to be the top three teams in the West with, imo, USM right behind them. I can see any of these four teams winning the West.
I have a very tough time seeing UAB losing all of these games unless they have a slew of injuries or some dumb luck.
(08-23-2018 09:13 AM)NorthTexan95 Wrote: [ -> ] (08-23-2018 08:54 AM)LaTechBanjo Wrote: [ -> ]I really don't understand the UAB hype this year.
I predict losses to USM, La Tech, UNT, MTSU, and A&M.
The hype comes from their success last season in their first year back plus the players they have returning. UAB, UNT, and La Tech appear to be the top three teams in the West with, imo, USM right behind them. I can see any of these four teams winning the West.
I have a very tough time seeing UAB losing all of these games unless they have a slew of injuries or some dumb luck.
I understand the returning players argument, but I don't buy the 2017 success.
Of their 6 FBS wins, all but UTEP and Southern Miss were less than a touchdown margin. 2 wins were within a field goal. This wouldn't be that bad in and of itself, but throw in losses to Charlotte and total drubbings by Ball State (1-7 in the MAC) and Ohio, and I just am not impressed.
(08-23-2018 10:27 AM)LaTechBanjo Wrote: [ -> ] (08-23-2018 09:13 AM)NorthTexan95 Wrote: [ -> ] (08-23-2018 08:54 AM)LaTechBanjo Wrote: [ -> ]I really don't understand the UAB hype this year.
I predict losses to USM, La Tech, UNT, MTSU, and A&M.
The hype comes from their success last season in their first year back plus the players they have returning. UAB, UNT, and La Tech appear to be the top three teams in the West with, imo, USM right behind them. I can see any of these four teams winning the West.
I have a very tough time seeing UAB losing all of these games unless they have a slew of injuries or some dumb luck.
I understand the returning players argument, but I don't buy the 2017 success.
Of their 6 FBS wins, all but UTEP and Southern Miss were less than a touchdown margin. 2 wins games were within a field goal. This wouldn't be that bad in and of itself, but throw in losses to Charlotte and total drubbings by Ball State (1-7 in the MAC) and Ohio, and I just am not impressed.
Yeah, the sunshine and palm trees definitely didn't distract Ohio.
Last year was UABs best season in FBS history. I was glad for their team and fans. I hope they do well this season, but lose to Southern Miss of course.
W- Savannah State - I like UAB to win by 50+
W- @Coastal Carolina - They have the same offense which gives folks fits. Their defense is not as good. I can see this one being close until the third quarter.
W- Tulane - SWING GAME Tulane will look like Coastal only better. This will be a close game. If UAB does not turn it over it's a win.
W- Charlotte - Circled on calendar. UAB will not turn it over three times and keep giving Charlotte first downs after we stop them. I'm calling a blowout win.
L- @LA Tech - SWING GAME I am not sold on La tech but this will be a revenge game. last person with the ball wins this year. UAB will be coming off a revenge game so there might be some let down.
W- @ Rice - I will be there watching Rice get pounded into mush.
W- North Texas - SWING GAME Another game circled, This one will be a solid win. No holds barred.
W- @UTEP - UAB coming off it's second revenge game might let down some. This game will be close until the second half. Then the Sun Bowl Damn bursts.
W- UTSA - Different offensive coordinator. Game not as close. Woodshed.
W- Southern Miss - Better USM team this year. better UAB squad than last year. Solid win.
L- @Texas A&M You have to beat the SEC team and the SEC officials.
L- @MTSU - SWING GAME - UAB is not focused and turns it over one too many times.
UNT still wins the west and loses to Marshall. (I won't rule out UAB though depending on UNT's season)
Bowl - New Orleans vs Arkansas State or T-Roy. Doesn't matter as UAB steamrolls whoever their victim for their first ever bowl win.
I have seen our guys now enough (in person) to just say if you are judging UAB on last year that's fine by me. (snicker) I had 8-4 before during the off season and after watching what we have I am conservatively going with 9-3 and a bowl win.
UAB has the talent to beat everyone on the schedule including A&M but it takes more than talent to win today and luck plays a part. Swing games can go either way and if UAB wins the turnover battles I like the games I said we would win. If they don't then you saw that three turnovers put the Charlotte game into OT. Then anything can happen. This is the best UAB team I have ever seen and that includes the Brian Thomas Darrell hackney and Roddy White teams that played a much tougher schedule. This year's UAB squad is a LOT deeper and more talented than last year.
If UAB has an injury plagued season they are still good enough to go to a bowl but you can add a couple losses to that total. We are deep though.
9-3 and second in the west.
If UAB played Ball State late in 17 they beat them. They had massive injuries on their team after we played them and that was our first FBS game since 2014.
No excuse for losing to Ohio but we did have injuries, a brain dead OC (That is no longer with the team) and our best pass rusher Anthony Rush could bot make the trip due to passport issues. Still probably lose to them. That was the best team in the MAC IMHO and would have beaten most of you.
Charlotte was a disaster. Three turnover, one inside their 20 and on defense we gave them first downs due to penalties that kept drives alive. you make mistakes like that and you lose in C-USA no matter who you are. we deserved to lose that game.
We had an overly conservative OC in 17. We had games that were close that should not have been. Our new OC is not. See 2014.
The talent level and depth is really really better this season.
Before someone jumps me I have been poor mouthing my team most of the time because I know what we have. I'll go back to it after this thread. See you on the field where it counts!
clt says we will beat uab again
(08-23-2018 06:36 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote: [ -> ]Today, let's talk North Texas. The Mean Green bring back all of their air attack and a large portion of their 2017 team. Some players, which were starters last year, will be backups in 2018. That is bad news for many of the teams on our schedule.
Which games do you feel they will win, and which should they lose? What is the logic for your predictions?
Here is the schedule with my predictions. C-USA fans, I look forward to reading your thoughts.
W- SMU (Dykes has a rough start with the Ponies)
W- Incarnate Word (Easy FCS win)
L @Arkansas (Too much SEC talent and Morris knows how to beat UNT)
W- @Liberty (Not ready to compete with the Mean Green)
W- LA Tech (North Texas wins by more then a touchdown)
W- @UTEP (Easy road win)
W- Southern Miss (Mean Green win the Eagle Trophy)
L- @UAB (Toughest conference road game of the season for NT)
W- Rice (It will get ugly)
W- @ODU (Too much offense)
L- FAU (Home field won't help)
W- @UTSA (Hate Bowl VI should be a close game... records don't mean much in this series)
Did you mean to post this inside the UAB thread?
(08-23-2018 07:04 PM)va-eagle Wrote: [ -> ]Did you mean to post this inside the UAB thread?
Nope. Just deleted it, and placed it in a thread. Thanks.
(08-22-2018 09:43 PM)Side Show Joe Wrote: [ -> ]Today, let's talk UAB. Bill Clark has earned the respect of most logical fans around C-USA, and unfortunately, I believe he has built a roster ready to challenge for the western division, especially considering their schedule.
Which games do you feel they will win, and which should they lose? What is the logic for your predictions?
Here is the schedule with my predictions. C-USA fans, I look forward to reading your thoughts.
W- Savannah State (FCS win)
W- @Coastal Carolina (Big win over one of the bad Sun Belt team)
W- Tulane (Solid win over an AAC opponent)
W- Charlotte (Easy cross-divisional win)
W- @LA Tech (Toughest divisional road game but UAB wins)
W- @ Rice (Easy divisional win)
W- North Texas (Decides the western division)
W- @UTEP (Could run up the score)
W- UTSA (UAB is too good for UTSA this season)
W- Southern Miss (UAB all night)
L- @Texas A&M (UAB is good but not that good)
L- @MTSU (Tough to beat a healthy Stock @MT)
I would take this in a heartbeat. I’m expecting 8-4 again. Losses to some combo of A&M, MTSU, La Tech, USM, and Tulane. I like we play all of our tough conference games at home, with the exception of Tech and MT.
(08-23-2018 02:59 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote: [ -> ]If UAB played Ball State late in 17 they beat them.
The talent level and depth is really really better this season.
But you didn't play Ball State late in 17....like FAU lost to Buffalo. We lost to them when we played them and that is all that matters. We have our excuses to.
(08-23-2018 10:27 AM)LaTechBanjo Wrote: [ -> ] (08-23-2018 09:13 AM)NorthTexan95 Wrote: [ -> ] (08-23-2018 08:54 AM)LaTechBanjo Wrote: [ -> ]I really don't understand the UAB hype this year.
I predict losses to USM, La Tech, UNT, MTSU, and A&M.
The hype comes from their success last season in their first year back plus the players they have returning. UAB, UNT, and La Tech appear to be the top three teams in the West with, imo, USM right behind them. I can see any of these four teams winning the West.
I have a very tough time seeing UAB losing all of these games unless they have a slew of injuries or some dumb luck.
I understand the returning players argument, but I don't buy the 2017 success.
Of their 6 FBS wins, all but UTEP and Southern Miss were less than a touchdown margin. 2 wins were within a field goal. This wouldn't be that bad in and of itself, but throw in losses to Charlotte and total drubbings by Ball State (1-7 in the MAC) and Ohio, and I just am not impressed.
When you just look at the scores, sure, I can understand why you’d think that. Coastal and UTSA scored TDs with a minute left or so left in the game to make it a one score game. The only true last second wins we had were Tech and MT. USM and UTSA were good games, but we had it under control towards the end of those games.