I have read all the reviews I can find, trolled the Tulsa boards, and still truly feel we can win.
The only line I found shows Tulsa as 15 pt favorites.
Tulsa's offense is stout. Really, their only loss was the QB. They are going to score a lot of points this yr.
They have fantastic receivers and an excellent running game. I do think the UAB dbs will hold their own. (Legion Field will be named "the Barl" by the end of the yr.) The key is getting pressure on the QB and containing the running game. Huge task. However, there is a reason why a 5th yr QB is getting his first start.
Tulsa will not be able to stop the UAB offense. Period. They lost LBs and Safeties. I know of some of the guys that are expected to play. Unless they got real talented all of a sudden, they won't do too much.
If UAB is not turning the ball over or dropping passes, they should be able to score virtually every possession.
ex. 3rd and long, receivers go deep and Webb scrambles. No LB is going to run him down. Hell, not many dbs in CUSA will run him down.
I do feel the defense will show better than most expect.
Momentum, turnovers, and refs factor into the outcome, but all things being equal
56 -45
UAB 1-0
I don't care if we get
ed 8 times during the game, and long as we
them 9 times!
Let the FN
ing BEGIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I still like our chances. Tulsa is not as good as last year and we are allot better. UAB is at home. Bottom line is we will have our chances to win this game. Also our defense is better than what has been let on. By no means are they the Steel Shield of old but they will make some plays.
UAB = 41
TU = 38
No Kool-Aid needed........
Some interesting tidbits for the betters
Tulsa is 3-9 against the spread in it's last 12 games.
Tulsa is 2-6 against the spread in it's last 8 C-USA games.
Tulsa was 5-9 against the spread last season.
Tulsa was 0-5 against the spread when they were a double digit favorite.
UAB in spite of posting a losing season was 6-5 against the spread last year.
5-2 when getting two TDs or more.
7 of UAB's games went under the total number last season. I do not expect this trend to continue though.
Last season's game with Tulsa finished Under the number (69.5) 68 and UAB won ATS as it was a 24.5 dog on the road and lost by 8 in a game that was much closer than the 8 indicated.
Look for UAB to be a double digit dog at home by more than two TDs.
Look for UAB to be very better friendly early on and I suspect they will do well against the number early until Vegas figures out that UAB is better than advertised.
UAB is a 14.5 dog as of this morning. May be looking through green and gold glasses, but I don't see Tulsa winning by 15 in B'ham.
Had we not turned it over late we are driving to win at the end last year.
Just saw on ESPN a little while ago, Nostradumbass Lou Holtz is picking Tulsa to go to the Orange Bowl.
They're doomed.
That Lou Holtz prediction was posted on the wall at Bartow this morning during the Fan Day session. Gotta love it....let everyone know we can make a national statement in the opening game.
I love the sign that I saw in Bartow Arena today. It read- "News Flash, Lou Holtz Picks Tulsa to go to the Orange Bowl....... UAB Blazers Stop Hurricane From Hitting Miami!"
Go Blazers! ! !
The kool aid is flowing... lol
gulp, gulp....
I love the sign that I saw in Bartow Arena today. It read- "News Flash, Lou Holtz Picks Tulsa to go to the Orange Bowl....... UAB Blazers Stop Hurricane From Hitting Miami!"
Go Blazers! ! !
The kiss of death. 
I hope the Tulsa players believe it. Their defense will .....until the snap of the ball on the first play.
A lot can happen in a game that decides the outcome, but Tulsa will know they are in for fight the first play. That is guaranteed.
Tulsa 42, Uab 25. Still a year away.
The kool aid is flowing... lol
gulp, gulp....
No Kool-Aid needed here. Anyone that actually follows the Blazers knows that UAB could have won the game last year and had their chances and anyone that has actually bothered to go to practice to see what kind of team UAB is putting on the field or bothered to listen to the ones that do knows that UAB is a much better football program in year II of Neil Callaway.
No Kool-Aid needed, just common sense. I am ready for some football of the Blazer kind and I won't have to drink Kool-Aid to see an improved football team.
Tulsa 42, Uab 25. Still a year away.
Why would Tulsa (if they win the game) beat UAB on the Blazer's home field that bad if they could not do it last season on their home field? Please explain that to us......
If we get beat that bad by Tulsa at home we are more than a year away.
Our Defense is the key to this game. I really believe it.
If they can fly around and hit some fools in this game, then I am going to feel a whole lot better about this season.
Right now in Webb & Co. I feel we have a sword, I just don't know what we're doing in the other hand for a parry/block option. Perhaps we can just dodge?
The kool aid is flowing... lol
gulp, gulp....
No Kool-Aid needed here. Anyone that actually follows the Blazers knows that UAB could have won the game last year and had their chances and anyone that has actually bothered to go to practice to see what kind of team UAB is putting on the field or bothered to listen to the ones that do knows that UAB is a much better football program in year II of Neil Callaway.
No Kool-Aid needed, just common sense. I am ready for some football of the Blazer kind and I won't have to drink Kool-Aid to see an improved football team.
I agree to a point. They were in the game against Fla St also...
I hope you are right... but ... I am not ready for that sweet nectar yet. I enjoy the Green koolaid... just with caution.
Had we not turned it over late we are driving to win at the end last year.
You were losing by 8. Did you have some secret 9 point play?
I respect your optimism and I won't fault any fan for pulling for their team, especially the first week of the year. But, I will note that we were a much better team later in the year than we were at the beginning of the year. We beat teams that went to bowls by a lot more.
You guys will give us a game. Our goofy style of play can make things closer than they should be. We had to come back on freaking SMU, but we also beat Houston by 49.
Looking forward to it.
You were losing by 8. Did you have some secret 9 point play?
Yes. Our sorceries are ancient and powerful.
Actually we were driving and turned it over right before that and you guys made it an 8 point game after the TD. Then we drove again to try to tie. he game could have gone either way.
It's not optimism knowing it will be a game we will have a good chance to win, it's fact.
i think we can win, but dont think we will...i know, im a debbie downer...but it doesnt mean i love the blazers any less
first we will cover and we may end up winning and get 6 wins or more seasons
I really think UABs chances would be better if it wasn't the first game. TU will be fired up and wanting to make a statement early in the year. If it were the third or fourth game, there would be the "trap" factor. I'm sure UAB will play hard and give a good accounting of themselves, but just won't have the maturity and experience at winning that could knock off TU. Regardless, I hope UAB has a successful year and wins those tough non-league affairs.
Isn't your coach a Bear Bryant protege of some sort? I met Coach Bryant one time on a recruiting visit many moons ago. He was truly a legend in his own time and I was very honored to speak with him.
I really think UABs chances would be better if it wasn't the first game. TU will be fired up and wanting to make a statement early in the year. If it were the third or fourth game, there would be the "trap" factor. I'm sure UAB will play hard and give a good accounting of themselves, but just won't have the maturity and experience at winning that could knock off TU. Regardless, I hope UAB has a successful year and wins those tough non-league affairs.
Isn't your coach a Bear Bryant protege of some sort? I met Coach Bryant one time on a recruiting visit many moons ago. He was truly a legend in his own time and I was very honored to speak with him.
He was one of the toughest lineman to ever play for Alabama. Before the end of his career he started on both sides of the ball. Even at his age I would not want to go "hat on hat" with Coach Callaway.
In regards to coaching he was a long time assistant for Dye. He learned most of his on field coaching from Dye. Off the field Callaway believes in maintaining a far more disciplined team with more regards to academics.
Well, for starters, we had the worst rushing defense in the nation last year and are not considerably better this year up front. We are still one of the least talented teams in the conference, though we should be better than last year. The people who make these lines are not idiots. They make a living doing it. Do they miss on some, yes. But they are farely consistent. Tulsa is a preseason favorite and we are considered one of the worst teams in the conference. So, two touchdowns is about right. Tulsa also went to a bowl last year and won by about 40. Thats just the reality of the situation. Hope I'm wrong.
Actually we were driving and turned it over right before that and you guys made it an 8 point game after the TD. Then we drove again to try to tie. he game could have gone either way.
Really? Here's what I recall . . .
Tulsa: PAUL SMITH 1 YD RUN (JAROD TRACY KICK) (38-16)
UAB: FRANTRELL FORREST 10 YD PASS FROM SAM HUNT (SWAYZE WATERS KICK) (38-23)
UAB: MARIO WRIGHT 4 YD PASS FROM SAM HUNT (SWAYZE WATERS KICK) (38-30)
http://www.tulsa.rivals.com/boxscore.asp...4&Team=UAB
http://www.tulsaworld.com/sports/article...hrbri25775
I don't recall us making it an eight point game. We were up 38-16. The best you could have done on the last couple of possession was tie.
It will be a good game. We have a lot of unanswered questions. We're also coming off the biggest bowl blowout ever.
I really think UABs chances would be better if it wasn't the first game. TU will be fired up and wanting to make a statement early in the year. If it were the third or fourth game, there would be the "trap" factor. I'm sure UAB will play hard and give a good accounting of themselves, but just won't have the maturity and experience at winning that could knock off TU. Regardless, I hope UAB has a successful year and wins those tough non-league affairs.
We look at it differently. We figure the best shot we've got at Tulsa is to catch you while you're still trying to shake down with a new QB, dealing with first game jitters. Both teams are going to be fired up and ready to hit someone in a different jersey.
Our defense is suspect but we ought to be able to score. Take the over.
Well, for starters, we had the worst rushing defense in the nation last year and are not considerably better this year up front. We are still one of the least talented teams in the conference, though we should be better than last year. The people who make these lines are not idiots. They make a living doing it. Do they miss on some, yes. But they are farely consistent. Tulsa is a preseason favorite and we are considered one of the worst teams in the conference. So, two touchdowns is about right. Tulsa also went to a bowl last year and won by about 40. Thats just the reality of the situation. Hope I'm wrong.
You nailed it.
Another realist in the house.
We figure the best shot we've got at Tulsa is to catch you while you're still trying to shake down with a new QB, dealing with first game jitters. Both teams are going to be fired up and ready to hit someone in a different jersey.
+1
What Band Dad said.
If you guys (Tulsa) lose Pauley without skipping at least a beat or two, I will not only be the most impressed football fan in the room, I will eat a bug.
BG,
Check the media guide out in the section about UAB not having U*A*B* in the name. LOL., under your picture.
BG,
Check the media guide out in the section about UAB not having U*A*B* in the name. LOL., under your picture.
I put it there to test you, DB. Sure took you a while...
I'll keep it for now as a reminder to you to stay frosty!
The kool aid is flowing... lol
gulp, gulp....
No Kool-Aid needed here. Anyone that actually follows the Blazers knows that UAB could have won the game last year and had their chances and anyone that has actually bothered to go to practice to see what kind of team UAB is putting on the field or bothered to listen to the ones that do knows that UAB is a much better football program in year II of Neil Callaway.
No Kool-Aid needed, just common sense. I am ready for some football of the Blazer kind and I won't have to drink Kool-Aid to see an improved football team.
I have a feeling this team is better than Callaway is reporting to the media.
UAB 37 Tulsa 34...
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