08-25-2008, 03:19 PM
UAB's offense will be surprisingly prolific...even to Blazer fans. I'm talking Top 3 in CUSA. Our defense will be improved, but stopping the run and getting to the QB will still be a problem (not as much as last year, though).
v. Tulsa
Tulsa's defense allowed 40+ points to 6 opponents last year (and 30 to UAB), and they graduate most of their better defenders. On the other hand, I really do believe that you could throw Hillary Clinton in this offense at QB and it would still score points (wait, I probably should have picked an example of someone without balls). Not exactly last team with the ball, but close:
UAB 39, Tulsa 49
0-1, 0-1
@ FAU
FAU relied too much on the QB last year. Most players return, but that can spell disaster against our strong secondary if we can get anywhere near the passer...we get at least one interception for a TD. Their CBs are phenomenal and may lock down our relatively inexperienced (comparatively) WRs. That said, look for lots of Joe Webb running and RBs catching passes out of the backfield. FAU gets caught looking ahead with an opponent that is neither a conference game nor a big-name team.
UAB 42, FAU 38
1-1, 0-1
@ Tennessee
Anyone remember what happened in Knoxville last time OC Cutcliffe left town? He's gone again. The Vols are not only breaking in a new QB, but doing so with a new OC who prefers to focus on the short passing game rather than punishing runners. On defense, their only weakness is on the DL. That's relatively good news for us. We play close early, they pull away late.
UAB 20, Tennessee 38
1-2, 0-1
v. Alabama State
The offense gets to show off a bit.
UAB 48, Alabama State 13
2-2, 0-1
@ South Carolina
South Carolina will be better...heck, they will be pretty good. But they've got a QB controversy (has a Spurrier team ever NOT had one), and their defense, while it should be solid, has undergone some shuffling. Where are most of their struggles? On the lines. Their OL is not deep, and their DL lost it's best player when he moved to LB. Ready? Let the rumblings about The Coach get louder...
UAB 38, South Carolina 35
3-2, 0-1
v. Memphis
While their OL will be great and their WRs are almost as good as the crew at UAB, Memphis will, again, be woeful against any decent passing attack. What did I say about UAB's WR crew?
UAB 41, Memphis 31
4-2, 1-1
@ Houston
Houston will pass the ball short, long, and middle-wise. Their pass defense led CUSA last year, but they twice as many pass TDs than they had interceptions. Still...with our young guys on a high from the previous two weeks:
UAB 17, Houston 38
4-3, 1-2
v. Marshall
The offense has a budding star at QB, but he's a redshirt frosh. As above, if we can get any pressure on him he'll struggle against our secondary. Call it at least one more pick-6. The defense has a new DC, but he's Rick Minter who has had good success against UAB over the years. Of course, that was against Zero, but he does have an impressive stable of LBs. This will be a close one I think.
UAB 31, Marshall 28
5-3, 2-2
@ Southern Miss
Southern Miss has a new coach. I really don't get how some are predicting them as maybe busting the BCS. But they will still run the ball down our throats. Fletcher may rack up 150+ yards. The good news is that they have to replace their entire front four, and their new DC uses an attacking style that will have Joe Webb licking his chops. Is this the year? Nope, but it's always close.
UAB 24, Southern Miss 27
5-4, 2-3
@ Tulane
Tulane will be able to score some points on UAB with Toledo's inventive offense. Their pass defense, unfortunately, will struggle to be any better this year.
UAB 41, Tulane 27
6-4, 3-3
v. ECU
ECU will be a very good team. They will be in control of their own destiny for the East crown at this point in the season. Although they have a history of choking, and no history of winning in the state of Alabama, none of that will matter in this game.
UAB 24, ECU 37
6-5, 3-4
@ UCF
UCF will have to do a ton of work to replace Kevin Smith, and their passing attack was anemic last year. There's not too much good news at QB as they have to replace the starter there as well. The defense, on the other hand, will be incredible...and that will be the difference as UAB struggles to reach the endzone.
UAB 16, UCF 27
6-6, 3-5
That's what I see when I break down all the matchups individually. 6 wins?!?! A bowl game, possibly? Mmmm, I don't think so although the slots are there. Take away my "crazy" predictions on FAU and South Carolina, though, and we're still in 4 win territory. For the record, you never know how injuries will take their toll, but Steve Martin's conditioning will help tremendously in that area.
Regardless, 4 to 6 wins sets us up for a potentially special 2009 (and beyond...)
v. Tulsa
Tulsa's defense allowed 40+ points to 6 opponents last year (and 30 to UAB), and they graduate most of their better defenders. On the other hand, I really do believe that you could throw Hillary Clinton in this offense at QB and it would still score points (wait, I probably should have picked an example of someone without balls). Not exactly last team with the ball, but close:
UAB 39, Tulsa 49
0-1, 0-1
@ FAU
FAU relied too much on the QB last year. Most players return, but that can spell disaster against our strong secondary if we can get anywhere near the passer...we get at least one interception for a TD. Their CBs are phenomenal and may lock down our relatively inexperienced (comparatively) WRs. That said, look for lots of Joe Webb running and RBs catching passes out of the backfield. FAU gets caught looking ahead with an opponent that is neither a conference game nor a big-name team.
UAB 42, FAU 38
1-1, 0-1
@ Tennessee
Anyone remember what happened in Knoxville last time OC Cutcliffe left town? He's gone again. The Vols are not only breaking in a new QB, but doing so with a new OC who prefers to focus on the short passing game rather than punishing runners. On defense, their only weakness is on the DL. That's relatively good news for us. We play close early, they pull away late.
UAB 20, Tennessee 38
1-2, 0-1
v. Alabama State
The offense gets to show off a bit.
UAB 48, Alabama State 13
2-2, 0-1
@ South Carolina
South Carolina will be better...heck, they will be pretty good. But they've got a QB controversy (has a Spurrier team ever NOT had one), and their defense, while it should be solid, has undergone some shuffling. Where are most of their struggles? On the lines. Their OL is not deep, and their DL lost it's best player when he moved to LB. Ready? Let the rumblings about The Coach get louder...
UAB 38, South Carolina 35
3-2, 0-1
v. Memphis
While their OL will be great and their WRs are almost as good as the crew at UAB, Memphis will, again, be woeful against any decent passing attack. What did I say about UAB's WR crew?
UAB 41, Memphis 31
4-2, 1-1
@ Houston
Houston will pass the ball short, long, and middle-wise. Their pass defense led CUSA last year, but they twice as many pass TDs than they had interceptions. Still...with our young guys on a high from the previous two weeks:
UAB 17, Houston 38
4-3, 1-2
v. Marshall
The offense has a budding star at QB, but he's a redshirt frosh. As above, if we can get any pressure on him he'll struggle against our secondary. Call it at least one more pick-6. The defense has a new DC, but he's Rick Minter who has had good success against UAB over the years. Of course, that was against Zero, but he does have an impressive stable of LBs. This will be a close one I think.
UAB 31, Marshall 28
5-3, 2-2
@ Southern Miss
Southern Miss has a new coach. I really don't get how some are predicting them as maybe busting the BCS. But they will still run the ball down our throats. Fletcher may rack up 150+ yards. The good news is that they have to replace their entire front four, and their new DC uses an attacking style that will have Joe Webb licking his chops. Is this the year? Nope, but it's always close.
UAB 24, Southern Miss 27
5-4, 2-3
@ Tulane
Tulane will be able to score some points on UAB with Toledo's inventive offense. Their pass defense, unfortunately, will struggle to be any better this year.
UAB 41, Tulane 27
6-4, 3-3
v. ECU
ECU will be a very good team. They will be in control of their own destiny for the East crown at this point in the season. Although they have a history of choking, and no history of winning in the state of Alabama, none of that will matter in this game.
UAB 24, ECU 37
6-5, 3-4
@ UCF
UCF will have to do a ton of work to replace Kevin Smith, and their passing attack was anemic last year. There's not too much good news at QB as they have to replace the starter there as well. The defense, on the other hand, will be incredible...and that will be the difference as UAB struggles to reach the endzone.
UAB 16, UCF 27
6-6, 3-5
That's what I see when I break down all the matchups individually. 6 wins?!?! A bowl game, possibly? Mmmm, I don't think so although the slots are there. Take away my "crazy" predictions on FAU and South Carolina, though, and we're still in 4 win territory. For the record, you never know how injuries will take their toll, but Steve Martin's conditioning will help tremendously in that area.
Regardless, 4 to 6 wins sets us up for a potentially special 2009 (and beyond...)
