The unofficial online home for fans of the UAB Blazers. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2017/...eased.html

Like the bye week before we host La Tech, don't like the game at UTSA before Florida. UTSA has 10 games in the state of Texas in 2017.

UTSA should be really really good this season. That's a tough game. They gat 30k plus In the dome and it's loud.

Can't get here quick enough!

Can't wait! I don't think it's crazy to think we could get to 6-6 and go bowling.

does anyone know anything abot ball state or coastal carolina?? Is it crazy to think we should start out 3-0?

To be honest, I'm trying to not have a lot of expectations until i see the team playing someone else just because there are so many unknowns. This just hasnt really been done before. It's mostly a new staff, and a bunch of players who have never played a game with each other, many of whom will not have played a competitive game at all in 2 years. I mean, just take the offensive line. It takes time as a line to become a cohesive unit. Teams often struggle at the start of the year when they are breaking in two new offensive linemen. Will we be breaking in 5.

I'm very excited about the future of this team, but also wont panic if we lose a couple of games we think we should win, especially early in the year.

(01-26-2017 04:32 PM)BlazerMatt Wrote:  To be honest, I'm trying to not have a lot of expectations until i see the team playing someone else just because there are so many unknowns. This just hasnt really been done before. It's mostly a new staff, and a bunch of players who have never played a game with each other, many of whom will not have played a competitive game at all in 2 years. I mean, just take the offensive line. It takes time as a line to become a cohesive unit. Teams often struggle at the start of the year when they are breaking in two new offensive linemen. Will we be breaking in 5.

I'm very excited about the future of this team, but also wont panic if we lose a couple of games we think we should win, especially early in the year.

On the bright side this OL group has been working together for a year now.

I wouldn't be surprised if team is very sloppy early in the season. It didn't look like we would blow out Troy or Alabama A&M the way we did early in those games. Wouldn't be surprised if we struggled 2 or 3 quarters against A&M even though they really do suck. Players are rusty. Coaches are rusty. All the players are new and we have two new coordinators. 6 wins is possible, but predicting how we get there is impossible. I do like the setup of the schedule because it kinda starts easy, gets hard and end easy. If you believe that winning can be easy anyway.

(01-26-2017 03:42 PM)The Answer UAB Wrote:  does anyone know anything abot ball state or coastal carolina?? Is it crazy to think we should start out 3-0?

Became FCS power before moving to Sun Belt...

4 of 5 on the road late in the season.

I like it overall, I think it's got a nice balance of home & away games not being grouped into several in a row. I think of the teams we play, we're capable of winning just about all w/ the caveat being that on how soon the team comes together as others have said due to not having played together & having not played at all for at least a yr.

(01-26-2017 05:12 PM)cb4029 Wrote:  I wouldn't be surprised if team is very sloppy early in the season. It didn't look like we would blow out Troy or Alabama A&M the way we did early in those games. Wouldn't be surprised if we struggled 2 or 3 quarters against A&M even though they really do suck. Players are rusty. Coaches are rusty. All the players are new and we have two new coordinators. 6 wins is possible, but predicting how we get there is impossible. I do like the setup of the schedule because it kinda starts easy, gets hard and end easy. If you believe that winning can be easy anyway.

Looking at the first eight games myself hopeful for five wins.

What is the attendance prediction for A&M?

I think at least 50k.

Anything over 30K is a big success.

One factor in UAB's success will be how well our practice team cam emulate the talent we will face across the field. It is truthfully said that a team plays like it practices, and we can only practice against those we have among our reserves. The better those reserves mirror the opposition, the fewer "surprises" we may encounter.

(01-26-2017 09:31 PM)scales Wrote:  What is the attendance prediction for A&M?

I think at least 50k.

I believe between 40-50k. Would be surprised at all to see it above that.

I think once people actually see the caliber of play and with some early success 30k sustainable is very doable

I plan on locking in my family's appearance in Birmingham for the first game back just as soon as single game tickets go on sale.

Looking at the schedule, Charlotte is only 3 hours from me...probably make that one. And we're supposed to be heading home from DisneyWorld on November 18...might have to grab a hotel in Gainesville and see if I can find tickets to that one.

Then, Coastal Carolina is very close to me for 2018. Can't wait to see the Green and Gold back on the field!

(01-26-2017 04:32 PM)BlazerMatt Wrote:  To be honest, I'm trying to not have a lot of expectations until i see the team playing someone else just because there are so many unknowns. This just hasnt really been done before. It's mostly a new staff, and a bunch of players who have never played a game with each other, many of whom will not have played a competitive game at all in 2 years. I mean, just take the offensive line. It takes time as a line to become a cohesive unit. Teams often struggle at the start of the year when they are breaking in two new offensive linemen. Will we be breaking in 5.

I'm very excited about the future of this team, but also wont panic if we lose a couple of games we think we should win, especially early in the year.

Agree

Excited for you guys.