Reviewed by: Pat Byington
5 things to know about UAB football before the 2024 season
Thursday night will officially mark the start of the college football season at Protective Stadium in Birmingham.
UAB is back at its home field to take on Alcorn State with kickoff scheduled for 7PM.
Before the season begins, take a look at some of our other previews for in-state teams:
Now, keep reading to find out what you need to know before UAB kicks off this week.
1. Can Blazers bounce back under Dilfer?
For the first time in a decade, UAB suffered through a losing season on the football field.
After winning just four games in his debut season as a college football coach, Trent Dilfer is back with a little more pressure on him. The Blazers moved into the American Athletic Conference with expectations of competing for championships.
But Dilfer is not lowering those expectations in Year 2.
2. Jacob Zeno and Co.
Quarterback Jacob Zeno is back in charge of the offense after a breakout season. His 2023 numbers + where he ranks in the UAB record book include:
- 279 completions (1st)
- 73.6 completion percentage (1st)
- 3,126 yards (2nd)
- 24 total touchdowns
While topping those numbers may be a lot to ask of Zeno, it’s certainly not out of the realm of possibilities. While the team’s top rusher and receiver are gone, the offense as a whole will be more experienced.
Some of Zeno’s top targets this year should include:
- Amare Thomas
- Malachi Holt-Bennett
- Brandon Hawkins Jr.
- Lee Beebe Jr.
3. Can the defense improve?
Of course, it wasn’t necessarily the offense that struggled last season. The Blazers nearly averaged 30 points per game.
However, the defense gave up the fourth most points per game in the entire country last season (36.9). That was the program’s worst mark since 2010.
The defensive front is loaded with experience but the secondary is young. There may be some growing pains at times but an improved defense could go a long way in getting the Blazers back on the right track.
4. Road trips to watch
UAB’s schedule feature some big time road games that could make or break the season. The team was 0-6 away from Protective last season.
The Blazers travel to take on SEC foe Arkansas in Week 3. UAB has two wins against the conference with its last coming against Mississippi State in 2004.
UAB will also head northwest to take on rival Memphis this season in The Battle of the Bones. The Blazers have not won in the series since 2011.
Here’s a look at UAB’s complete 2024 schedule:
- Alcorn State at UAB, Aug. 29
- UAB at La. Monroe, Sept. 7
- UAB at Arkansas, Sept. 14
- Navy at UAB, Sept. 28
- Tulane at UAB, Oct. 5
- UAB at Army, Oct. 12
- UAB at South Florida, Oct. 19
- Tulsa at UAB, Nov. 2
- UConn at UAB, Nov. 9
- UAB at Memphis, Nov. 16
- Rice at UAB, Nov. 23
- UAB at Charlotte, TBD
5. Chasing the College Football Playoff
“It’s a giant mountain but I think the College Football Playoff is something we should talk about.”
That’s what Trent Dilfer said when he took the UAB job in 2022. Almost two years later, that mountain has gotten slightly smaller.
With a new 12-team playoff, the five highest ranked conference champions will get an automatic bid. And by most measures, the American is now the fifth best conference in the country.
The Blazers have already won the conference on the basketball court. Could a football title and a CFP berth be next?
If you’re a UAB fan, what are you most looking forward to this season? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.
