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

College Football News

https://collegefootballnews.com/2020/08/...me-preview

Quote:What’s Going To Happen
Expect UAB to do a decent job of controlling the clock with the running game. At least, it’s going to do a better job than Austin Peay was able to do.

Spencer Brown will batter away early, the Blazers will connect on a few key third down chances, and the defense will clean up the rest. Breylin Smith and the UCA passing game will get just enough yards to keep this interesting, but they’ll pay for settling for field goals.

They’ll also pay for playing just four days after the season opener. UAB will own the fourth quarter.

UAB 30, Central Arkansas 16

Projected Line (official line not released): UAB -20
o/u: No Line

ATHLON

https://athlonsports.com/college-footbal...picks-2020

Quote:After surviving a scare from FCS Alabama State in the opener last year, UAB put together a very good season led by one of the best defenses in the country. Thanks to the return of a veteran group of playmakers on both sides of the football, the Blazers are among the favorites to win Conference USA. If Johnston is more consistent and the offense takes a step forward, it could be a special season.

Prediction: UAB 42, Central Arkansas 10

Underdog Dynasty

https://www.underdogdynasty.com/uab-blaz...erence-usa

Quote:Preview
The Bears are in a really tough spot this week. Conferences are usually pretty good about making sure teams do not play with at least six days off between games, but you can throw all the norms out of the window in 2020. On top of the limited rest, the Bears haven’t slept in their own beds since August 27th. That’s a grueling road trip for a professional athlete, much less a collegiate athlete that isn’t used to such demanding travel. Don’t forget, these guys have to stay on top of their school work as well!

I think UCA would be facing a daunting task against any FBS opponent given the quick turnaround since Saturday, but a contender for a conference championship is even more tough of a challenge. The Blazers are big, fast, and physical. They’re going to challenge UCA on every single snap, but that’s not to say UCA isn’t capable of playing at UAB’s level. They did beat Western Kentucky on August 29th last season — WKU would then go on to finish second place in C-USA East.

All things considered, this challenging situation will likely prove to be exhausting for UCA. The Blazers also have the advantage of having updated film on the Bears, while UCA will game plan exclusively off of last year’s film.

Final Score: UAB 35 UCA 17

As long as we come out sharper than we did against Alabama St. Last year we should be fine. The whole Alabama St. game is available on youtube if anyone wants to watch. I re-watched it when I was prepping for the UCA game preview. It was really a microcosm of our whole season. Spencer Brown only averaged 3 yards a carry. Tyler Johnston had some great deep throws but completed less than 50% of his passes, made a god-awful decision on a throw that resulted in a pick six that was overturned by a penalty. Had another INT overturned via replay. Garret Marino was dominating up front, but had a stupid unsportsmanlike conduct called that wiped out a turnover and was close to getting a couple of others.

UCA is a much better team than Alabama State was last year. On the other hand, last year more than half of our players were making their first start (including eight on defense) and a good number of those were playing their first D1 football game. This year is obviously a much more experienced group.