Dan
Illinois vs UAB, Thursday, September 3rd, 8:00pm CT, BTN
UAB went 4-8 last season.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
Alternate universe outcome.
Clearly the worst timeline... That said, I think UAB will give us a better test than a lot of fans realize. While UAB hasn't been a good team the past couple years, they have had a pretty good offense and know how to put points up on the board, return an experienced OL, and signed an ex-Georgia RB. They also play in an extremely good midmajor conference, so I don't expect them to walk in starstruck. Their offense should actually be a good early test for our defense, so if we can lock them down, that would be a very good indicator of our defensive capabilities.
Defensively, UAB leaves a lot to be desired and we should impose our will on them on that side of the ball, so it should be a good confidence builder for us on that end. I'd expect some offensive fireworks in this one.
ILL: 48
UAB: 27
Also put me down for a Ca'Lil Valentine 40+yd TD run as he breaks one.
blackdog
- Champaign
Lets just forgot this exists and never speak of it again
Curbelo Fanboy
BERTBALL IS LIFE
Gonna be a long long season if that is the case.
I agree we should pretty much score at will, but if we give up 27 to them we will get buried in later games
I think there would be a lot of consternation from the fanbase if we gave up 27 and that indeed wouldn't be a good indicator for how the rest of the season goes defensively, but I don't know how warranted that angst would be if it happened. UAB honestly had a pretty good offense last year- they put up 24 on Tennessee last season whereas we scored 30. They also return a very experienced OL and improved at RB. QB has changed but he's been in the system a while and is an upperclassman. Plus, we're wheeling out a new defense. So them scoring in the 20s I don't think would be necessarily as catastrophic as many in our fanbase would take it.
I think what I'm trying to say is that I think this game is actually going to be a good test for our new defense in what should be a safe environment for our offense to operate. So if our defense shines in this one, that's phenomenal and a really good sign for the season. But if they struggle a little, it's sort of to be expected against this UAB team and isn't necessarily a sign of impending doom, especially as we should improve on defense as the season progresses and players get more gametime reps in the system. Now if we just can't stop UAB and this turns into a major shootout, that's where I'd agree on the worry. But if we do keep this UAB team under 20pts, that's a really good showing as far as I'm concerned.
True, assuming our defense doesn’t improve through the season. It’s reasonable to expect gradual improvement though, with so much of it being new.
cuillini
- San Bernardino, Ca.
And Phil Steele projects them in a tie for last in the AAC this season.
They lost 3 of the 5 starters along the OL.
ditto
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
SP+ projects UAB at #124 preseason. That’s about 40 spots behind Purdue. Should be a fairly clean W.
