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We played two games towards the end of last year that were televised to large audiences, and we were hopelessly outclassed in both games. It hurt us more than people realize because in a lot of minds UAB football's national brand went from "Amazing cinderella comeback story " to "Bad football team"

(01-23-2018 04:17 PM)BlazerMatt Wrote:  We played two games towards the end of last year that were televised to large audiences, and we were hopelessly outclassed in both games. It hurt us more than people realize because in a lot of minds UAB football's national brand went from "Amazing cinderella comeback story " to "Bad football team"

Can you provide the evidence to support your claim that that's the case?

Most of the hate I saw regarding UAB after that game involved Alabamians, not around the rest of the country.

(01-23-2018 04:17 PM)BlazerMatt Wrote:  We played two games towards the end of last year that were televised to large audiences, and we were hopelessly outclassed in both games. It hurt us more than people realize because in a lot of minds UAB football's national brand went from "Amazing cinderella comeback story " to "Bad football team"

That could be the conclusion of those who don't know what building a football team back from oblivion really entails. Most realize that the saying that "Rome was not built in a day" applies to all organized endeavors. The fact that UAB did not field a "great" team in its first season back did not ruin its "brand", but it is not an image UAB can hope to keep for many years.

As with a "P5 coach demoted to a G5 program", there is a definite window (about 3 years) to a return to former glory. By 2020 UAB will be expected to "be back".

(01-23-2018 04:44 PM)demiveeman Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 04:17 PM)BlazerMatt Wrote:  We played two games towards the end of last year that were televised to large audiences, and we were hopelessly outclassed in both games. It hurt us more than people realize because in a lot of minds UAB football's national brand went from "Amazing cinderella comeback story " to "Bad football team"

Can you provide the evidence to support your claim that that's the case?

Most of the hate I saw regarding UAB after that game involved Alabamians, not around the rest of the country.

Wow, really? Are you trying to claim that getting blown out in the only two nationally televised games we played in was GOOD for for the brand image of UAB football? Really?

I'd love to beat the snot out of Tulane - solely based on that 2004 debacle in NOLA.

Never good to get blown out but still a lot of positive publicity at the end of the season. I do agree that 99% of the negativity I saw was from this state and most wearing the Atlanta Brave's A.

(01-23-2018 04:59 PM)BlazerMatt Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 04:44 PM)demiveeman Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 04:17 PM)BlazerMatt Wrote:  We played two games towards the end of last year that were televised to large audiences, and we were hopelessly outclassed in both games. It hurt us more than people realize because in a lot of minds UAB football's national brand went from "Amazing cinderella comeback story " to "Bad football team"

Can you provide the evidence to support your claim that that's the case?

Most of the hate I saw regarding UAB after that game involved Alabamians, not around the rest of the country.

Wow, really? Are you trying to claim that getting blown out in the only two nationally televised games we played in was GOOD for for the brand image of UAB football? Really?

No...I never said it was GOOD. I just don't think it took much away from our comeback story from a national perspective. Either because we weren't that big of a deal as we'd like to think or that people just didn't care as much about the actual game.

Our bowl appearance, in particular, was the lowest rated Bahamas Bowl in the last 3 years...even though the average ESPN bowl game ratings (pre-national championship) went up 12% from last year.

I saw some people on Twitter reacting to the game itself, but it is unlikely that it was anybody that actually celebrated us for our comeback in the first place.

Not good home games to get a crowd there from opponents other that USM but winning could get more UAB fans coming. I don't remember Tulane being a good travel team for us in old CUSA

(01-23-2018 05:23 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  Never good to get blown out but still a lot of positive publicity at the end of the season. I do agree that 99% of the negativity I saw was from this state and most wearing the Atlanta Brave's A.

I don't think that was an Atlanta A:

(01-23-2018 05:25 PM)demiveeman Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 04:59 PM)BlazerMatt Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 04:44 PM)demiveeman Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 04:17 PM)BlazerMatt Wrote:  We played two games towards the end of last year that were televised to large audiences, and we were hopelessly outclassed in both games. It hurt us more than people realize because in a lot of minds UAB football's national brand went from "Amazing cinderella comeback story " to "Bad football team"

Can you provide the evidence to support your claim that that's the case?

Most of the hate I saw regarding UAB after that game involved Alabamians, not around the rest of the country.

Wow, really? Are you trying to claim that getting blown out in the only two nationally televised games we played in was GOOD for for the brand image of UAB football? Really?

No...I never said it was GOOD. I just don't think it took much away from our comeback story from a national perspective. Either because we weren't that big of a deal as we'd like to think or that people just didn't care as much about the actual game.

Our bowl appearance, in particular, was the lowest rated Bahamas Bowl in the last 3 years...even though the average ESPN bowl game ratings (pre-national championship) went up 12% from last year.

I saw some people on Twitter reacting to the game itself, but it is unlikely that it was anybody that actually celebrated us for our comeback in the first place.

The Florida game is what did the damage. There were several national columnists claiming Coach Clark should be the national Coach of the Year leading up to that game, and for most of the AP voters it was their first chance to see us play. That game removed Bill Clark from contention from the AP award according to the few voters who responded to my emails. I can only assume it hurt his chances in other awards as well.

I think it was obvious Clark didn't have a chance to be COY. Some columnist did write that because it's fun to promote the dark horse. It was always going to go to a P5 coach. It had nothing to do with our games or our record.

(01-23-2018 05:48 PM)58-56 Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 05:23 PM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  Never good to get blown out but still a lot of positive publicity at the end of the season. I do agree that 99% of the negativity I saw was from this state and most wearing the Atlanta Brave's A.

I don't think that was an Atlanta A:

It was the mullet

(01-23-2018 06:09 PM)BlazerMatt Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 05:25 PM)demiveeman Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 04:59 PM)BlazerMatt Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 04:44 PM)demiveeman Wrote:  

(01-23-2018 04:17 PM)BlazerMatt Wrote:  We played two games towards the end of last year that were televised to large audiences, and we were hopelessly outclassed in both games. It hurt us more than people realize because in a lot of minds UAB football's national brand went from "Amazing cinderella comeback story " to "Bad football team"

Can you provide the evidence to support your claim that that's the case?

Most of the hate I saw regarding UAB after that game involved Alabamians, not around the rest of the country.

Wow, really? Are you trying to claim that getting blown out in the only two nationally televised games we played in was GOOD for for the brand image of UAB football? Really?

No...I never said it was GOOD. I just don't think it took much away from our comeback story from a national perspective. Either because we weren't that big of a deal as we'd like to think or that people just didn't care as much about the actual game.

Our bowl appearance, in particular, was the lowest rated Bahamas Bowl in the last 3 years...even though the average ESPN bowl game ratings (pre-national championship) went up 12% from last year.

I saw some people on Twitter reacting to the game itself, but it is unlikely that it was anybody that actually celebrated us for our comeback in the first place.

The Florida game is what did the damage. There were several national columnists claiming Coach Clark should be the national Coach of the Year leading up to that game, and for most of the AP voters it was their first chance to see us play. That game removed Bill Clark from contention from the AP award according to the few voters who responded to my emails. I can only assume it hurt his chances in other awards as well.

There were even Florida writers who were picking UAB to win that game. The 2 things that kept coming up after those 2 blowout losses were: 1. Y'all need a new OC, and 2. How in the heck did this team win 8 games (7 after UF loss)? It's never good to end the season on a really bad loss either, but I'm sure we will bounce back, and be a much better team in 2018.

I don’t know why so many people thought we could compete with Florida. We were always going to need a lot of help in that one.

Welcome to Blazertalk though, we have one of our best records in program history and we find a reason to **** on the team anyway. We were undermanned all year and it finally showed at the end.

Guess we should just shut it down. Our brand is ruined.

Let's not lose perspective over two late losses. UAB had a successful season -- one much better than most expected and a lot better than many feared. We had only one WTH loss (Charlotte) and won some that surprised us. For a fan base schooled in recent 2-10 records, we got a bit giddy when we won a couple very close early games. Winning 8 was great!!! It was great to not give any team its only win at the end of the 2017 season.

As UAB makes more use of its new facilities and its better recruits, it will get better - and hopefully, the record will as well. Those other teams know we are coming in 2018 so we will get their full attention in every game.

(01-24-2018 12:30 AM)BAMANBLAZERFAN Wrote:  Let's not lose perspective over two late losses. UAB had a successful season -- one much better than most expected and a lot better than many feared. We had only one WTH loss (Charlotte) and won some that surprised us. For a fan base schooled in recent 2-10 records, we got a bit giddy when we won a couple very close early games. Winning 8 was great!!! It was great to not give any team its only win at the end of the 2017 season.

As UAB makes more use of its new facilities and its better recruits, it will get better - and hopefully, the record will as well. Those other teams know we are coming in 2018 so we will get their full attention in every game.

I think this is one of the best posts you’ve made. Spot on.

Don't get me wrong, last season exceeded expectations and was a huge success. My comments about the two losses were a part of the discussion about how to grow UAB football into a national brand.

UABslant said

Quote:You don't become a national brand by playing nationally. You do it by winning your games.

I believe he is spot on and was pointing out that our only two nationally televised games were blowout losses and that those losses hurt our brand. The sky isnt falling, and I'm not calling last season a failure, I'm was just pointing out that from a brand building standpoint, UAB football would obviously be stronger today if:

We had won those two nationally televised games.
or, failing that...

We had been competitive in those two nationally televised games.

I don't see either of those statements as controversial.

I love the schedule. Looks like it sets up as good as it can for us to make a run at the division title.

Only slight gripe is a September bye and not October. We get Charlotte after the bye and they should be VERY afraid.

When or should another money game become relevant?