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

I'll try to post this every day or every other day to make sure we get through the full schedule. Interested to hear everyone's thoughts on each game this season.

First up is in Montgomery against Jacksonville State. They went 10-3 last season and made it to the second round of the FCS playoffs. I've been wanting to go to the Camellia bowl since they redid it, so excited to go down there for this game. I'll admit that I would prefer if this game were against Troy or South or a FBS program but realize being on ESPN is a good deal.

Specific to this game - I'm terrified of this matchup. People see FCS vs. FBS and think this game should be a blowout, but I don't think it will be. Jax State put up 24 points on FSU last year, and outright beat FIU (19-10). I think UAB wins but just barely, something like 21-17.

UAB
Prior Year Record: 6-3
2020 Team Talent Rank: #92
2021 Recruiting Rank: #115
Scoring Offense: 28.4 PPG/#65
Scoring Defense: 21.4 PPG/#26
2021 FPI: #69

Jacksonville State
Prior Year Record: 10-3
2020 Team Talent Rank: #136
2021 Recruiting Rank: #165
Scoring Offense: 28.4 PPG
Scoring Defense: 17.6PPG
2021 FPI: N/A

I see us being vanilla and doing just enough to win and not showing UGA anything. If we get a chance to blow them out Clark will take the air out and not embarrass them That said We just need to win. Very dangerous opponent.

First, let me say I have the utmost respect for JSU. They have a very good FCS athletic program and I think they would be a solid G5 FBS team if they ever moved up. Good people running that program, good coaches, good fans. They have a very nice campus and facilities.

As to this game, it's a scary one. JSU played a full season in the spring. I think that could bite them in November but they will probably be sharp in September.

In a lot of ways, JSU is a mirror of UAB. They like to be physical, establish the run and then hit downfield shots. Very similar philosophies and schemes. They have a good QB -- two of them actually -- and receivers. They have better QBs than a lot of C-USA and Sun Belt teams. By FCS standards, they have a very good OL. Defensively, they are similar too. They like to attack and come at you from a lot of weird angles. They get to the passer and they tackle well. They have good DBs who can cover which allows them to be creative with their blitzes and stunts. I have no doubt that, talent wise, JSU would not be the worst team in any G5 conference, including the American and Mountain West.

Their fan base will show up for this game. Should be a good atmosphere all things considered but would be electric if it were in Bham. If this were at Protective, I think it would have been a hard sellout.

I think UAB will wear them down and will put together a very workmanlike, physical performance as an experienced championship team should do against an FCS opponent, even a good one. JSU will have enough success moving the ball to give Bill plenty to fuss about in practice before the Georgia game without have to show too much to future opponents. UAB has an SEC-level OL and that will be the difference. I do not see JSU being able to keep UAB from doing what we do -- run the ball, hit some deep shots, burn you with the TE who will be matchup problems for LBs.

Some stats predictions, just for fun:
D. McBride -- 16 carries, 103 yards, 2 TDs
L. Stanley -- 7 carries, 45 yards
J. Brown -- 3 carries, 15 yards, 2 catches, 25 yards
TJ III 12-20, 165 yards, 2TDs, 0 INT; 5 rush, 12 yards
D. Hopkins 5-9, 150 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT, 2 rush, 15 yards
B. Lucero 4-6, 60 yards, one INT
T. Shropshire -- 3 catches, 67 yards, 0 TD
T. Palmer -- 2 catches, 98 yards, 1 TD
H. Pittman 2 catches, 37 yards
G. Prince 3 catches, 50 yards, 1 TD
M. Quinn, 2-2 FG, long 41
W. Boler 1 INT
S. Thomas V 1 INT, 2 pbu
N. Wilder 9 tackles
K. Moll 7 tackles, 1 sack
K. Sanders 2 sacks
A. Wright 1 sack
J Thomas. 1 sack

Game summary
Score by quarters
UAB 7 / 10 / 14 / 3 / 34
JSU 3 / 7 / 0 / 3 -- 13

1st quarter
UAB -- McBride 5 run (7-0)
JSU -- 42 FG (7-3)

2nd quarter
UAB -- Quinn 41 FG (10-3)
UAB -- Palmer 61 reception from Johnston (17-3)
JSU -- Z. Cooper 12 yd run (17-10)

3rd quarter
UAB -- Prince 9 yd reception from Johnston (24-10)
UAB -- McBride 27 run (31-10)

4th quarter
JSU -- 38 FG (31-13)
UAB -- Quinn 33 FG (34-13)

Hopkins will rotate in for some series in the 2nd and 3rd quarters. Lucero will get a couple of series in the 4th. Tejhuan Palmer will be the big story among newcomers, I see TJIII hooking up with him on a deep shot. He's gonna be an impact player.

(08-11-2021 09:24 AM)ATTALLABLAZE Wrote:  I see us being vanilla and doing just enough to win and not showing UGA anything. If we get a chance to blow them out Clark will take the air out and not embarrass them That said We just need to win. Very dangerous opponent.

Very. Not wild about the game on a neutral field but we're playing it so just win Blazers. I'll take a 1 point win over a loss of course but it sure would be nice to see us come out and be sharp early.

We win, but it is way too close for comfort and local media acts a fool and claims "UAB is overrated" while disrespecting a very good JSU.

JSU has very good numbers against bad teams. UAB will dominate this game if they can just keep the pressure on Cooper. He will just sling it into triple coverage because he doesn't like to go to alternate receivers.

Also, trash talk will be effective. JSU loves personal fouls.

(08-13-2021 03:15 PM)JSUBlazer Wrote:  JSU has very good numbers against bad teams. UAB will dominate this game if they can just keep the pressure on Cooper. He will just sling it into triple coverage because he doesn't like to go to alternate receivers.

Also, trash talk will be effective. JSU loves personal fouls.

well that sounds familiar

Coach Clark addressed the penalties directly in his annual visit with the NAS. Said exactly what has been expressed on this board: aggressive penalties are ok, because he wants us playing hard and being physical. Mental penalties not ok, and we have way to many of them. Emphasis on individual accountability to clean up those. Extra emphasis on cleaning up PI.

More flags than a Veterans Day parade