College Football Predictions – UAB Blazers 2020 College Football Preview
August 11, 2020
2019 Recap
Record – 9-5
ATS – 8-6
It was a grind, but the Blazers still managed to GIT ER DONE and win their second consecutive Conference USA West title. It was a battle to the final whistle of the regular season but UAB took the crown based on their home win over Louisiana Tech (W 20-14). They were POLEAXED by Florida Atlantic in the Conference title game (L 49-6) and lost to a rock solid Appalachian St squad in the New Orleans Bowl to finish at 9-5.
Let’s check in and find out if UAB has what it takes to make another run at the C-USA title.
2020 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
West Division – #1
Conference USA – #1
UAB Blazers 2020 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Blazers had a tough time SCORING THE FOOTBALL last season and only managed to post 23.1 PPG (#10 C-USA). It didn’t help that starting QB Tyler Johnston had trouble staying healthy and they were definitely less potent with backup Dylan Hopkins at the controls. Johnston is a tough dual-threat QB but he needs to make fewer mistakes in the THROW GAME (17-15 TD to INT LY). Things look pretty good this year with the return of 10 (!) starters and both of the aforementioned QBs. It all starts with star RB Spencer Brown who was banged up LY (566, 5 TD) but recall that he rushed for over 1,200 yards and 16 TDs in 2018. The depth at RB is excellent with the return of Lucious Stanley (7 TD LY) and emerging star Jermaine Brown Jr. (446, 5.2, 2 TD). They’ll be running behind a seasoned offensive line that returns five (!) starters to the mix. When Johnston chooses to MATRICULATE the ball down the field via the pass he’ll have a fine group of weapons to utilize. Two of their top-two receivers are back in the mix including star WR Austin Watkins Jr. who is one of the most dangerous players in the conference (1,092, 19.2, 6 TD LY). There is depth in that group and starting TE Hayden Pittman also returns.
This has the look of a really good, tough, and balanced offense.
DEFENSE
Yes, guy.
The Blazers put together another solid stop unit that was one of the best in the conference a season ago. They were the #2 scoring defense (21.6 PPG) and #1 in total defense in C-USA allowing a mere 302 YPG. That’s back-to-back really strong seasons and there’s some bad news for the competition given that they return eight starters to the stop unit. DE/LB Jordan Smith led the team in sacks LY (10) and the Blazers boast the best 1-2 LB combo in the conference in Kristopher Moll (#1 tackles LY, 9 sacks) and Noah Wilder (#2 tackles, 3 sacks). The secondary is absolutely loaded and features stars CB Brontae Harris (miss LY due to injury) and others with all-conference talent. Also note that the defense is extremely seasoned and will likely start up to 10 upperclassmen.
The defense is the best in the conference. Also note that UAB has led the conference in sacks in each of the last two years (44,48).
SPECIAL TEAMS
There’s a bit of a mixed bag. It’s not going to be easy to replace PK Nick Vogel who connected on 19/23 FG attempts LY and nailed all 37 XPs. Punter Kyle Greenwell is back and KR Myron Mitchell returned one to the HOUSE in 2019.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – The non-conference slate should be a walk in the park with the exception of a road date with YOUR Miami Hurricanes (no snide remarks….thanks). Two of their games have been canceled (Alabama A&M, at Old Dominon) and we’ll keep tabs on things going forward. Their first two conference dates are good warm-ups (UTSA, at Rice) before things get HOT AND HEAVY.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at South Alabama (September 26th)
This game is sandwiched between their date with the Hurricanes where they’ll no doubt plan on SHOCKING THE WORLD and the start of Conference USA play. They’ll be laying a big number and we don’t think we’ll be on the favorite in this spot.
Season Win Total
TBD
MEGALOCKS says:
TBD
MEGAmazing Tidbit
The Blazers have accumulated an impressive 28-13 record since their two year HIATUS from football (2015-2016). They also booked a Conference USA title in 2018.
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
This is a loaded and veteran group. HC Bill Clark has done a great job with the Blazers and has the most talented roster in the conference this year. The defense will be a rock and we look for the offense to be much improved over what we saw last year. We’ll call for a division title and another trip to the Conference USA Championship Game.
Want more UAB Football ?
WEBSITE
https://uabsports.com/sports/football
FORUM
http://csnbbs.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=388
NEWS
http://www.al.com/uabfootball/
https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/5/uab-blazers
TWITTER
Hashtag – #WTD
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