UAB football kicks off quest for Group of Five prominence vs. Central Arkansas

UAB football looks to make it three straight seasons of playing in the C-USA title game and look to use Central Arkansas as a tune-up game.

In December of 2014, it was announced that the UAB football program would be eliminated. But not even a year later, the football program was reinstated, and the program has had some under the radar success. Since returning back to college football in 2017, UAB has had three straight winning seasons (last winning season was in 2004), an 11-win season, two straight C-USA title game appearances, winning the conference title in 2018, and picked up their first-ever bowl win in the 2018 Boca Raton Bowl.

While they are still far from competing with the top dogs of the Group of Five, it’s nice to see the Blazers’ football program make an immediate impact.

Last season did not end well for the Blazers. UAB was able to make it back to the conference title game but were unable to defend their title, losing to Florida Atlantic 49-6, and then followed up that loss with another one to Appalachian State in the New Orleans Bowl, leaving the Blazers just one win shy of another 10-plus win season.

But in 2020, the UAB Blazers look to get back to the C-USA title game and claim back the conference title. With UAB being stacked on defense and having a dynamic duo in the backfield with quarterback, Tyler Johnston, and running back, Spencer Brown, the Blazers are the easy favorite to win the conference.

But first they need to take care of business against Central Arkansas, who is coming off a dramatic win in the college football season opener. UAB should take care of business, but should use this game to iron out the details and fix any mistakes before conference play begins.

Here’s everything you need to know about the game between the UAB Blazers and the Central Arkansas Bears:

Date: Thursday, Sept. 3
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Birmingham, Ala.
Venue: Legion Field
TV: ESPN3
Live Stream: WatchESPN

Keys to Victory

For the UAB Blazers, it is pretty simple: play your game and take this game as you would any other. At times, teams who play lesser opponents usually get big headed and don’t take it as seriously, leading to an upset, which could derail a season from the start. Junior quarterback Tyler Johnston III did not play a full season in 2019 due to injuries, so getting him in rhythm and shaking off some rust should be a part of the Blazers game plan.

For the Blazers’ defense, they have some serious experience and depth, and also have some day one or two NFL draft talent, and will need to bring all the pressure to Central Arkansas to knock them out of the game early.

For Central Arkansas, you have nothing to lose. You picked up a win last week in dramatic fashion while almost every college football fan was watching, so you have already withstood a lot of pressure while all eyes are on you. This time around, you won’t have but maybe 25 percent of the viewers watching you. For the Bears, play the entire game with the mentality of “why not us?”

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of The Action Network

Point Spread: UAB -18.5
Over/Under: 48.5

Prediction

If Tyler Johnston can stay healthy, the UAB Blazers have a good chance or going undefeated this season, and finish as one of the top teams in the Group of Five. Their Week 1 matchup versus Central Arkansas will be nothing but a tune-up game. Johnston looks healthy and the Blazers defense is stingy for all four quarters. Blazers win big, covering the over all by themselves.

Final Score: UAB 52, Central Arkansas 17