Location:
Birmingham, AL
Driving Distance from OSU Campus:
643 mi, 10 hours, 32 mins per Google Maps
Founded:
1936 – UAB was originally developed as an extension center and became an autonomous University in 1969. The UAB Health System is one of the largest academic medical centers in the United States and UAB is the largest employer in the State.
Number of students:
11,128 Undergrad
6,447 Post-grad
(Per Wikipedia)
Nickname:
Blazers – their mascot is Blaze The Dragon
Fun fact about their mascot:
There is a huge statue of Blaze in front of Bartow Arena. During home games, it breathes smoke.
Things to do in Birmingham:
Birmingham Civil Rights Institute – Celebrates 50s and 60s civil rights activists.
McWane Science Center – an interactive science museum, not unlike Columbus, OH’s COSI
Birmingham’s Railroad Park – 19 acre green space in downtown Birmingham and a place to chill with friends or family.
Notable UAB Alumni:
Deidre Downs – 2005 Miss America
Vonetta Flowers – Two-woman bobsledding medalist (Gold in 2002, Bronze in 2004)
Regina Benjamin – US Surgeon General
Conference:
Conference USA
Record Vs. OSU:
First meeting
Current Line:
OSU -37
Returning Starters:
7 offensive, 4 defensive
Outlook:
UAB isn’t a strong team. They are sitting at 0-2 with losses to Troy and South Carolina, the latter of which was a 49-6 beatdown. They have only managed 726 total yards of offense for the entire season. For comparison’s sake, Braxton Miller has netted 988. Sprinkle in the fact that the UAB D is allowing 477 total yards per game and things do not look good for The Blazers.
It starts on the line. Their QBs have been sacked 8 times this season against 3 sacks for UAB. The Blazers are averaging only 80.5 yards per game on the ground and giving up 220.5 yards per game.The most positive stat is the fact they are winning in TOP, averaging 33:43 to 26:17. Of course, given the results, that pretty much means that opponents are scoring on them quickly while UAB is not getting any big plays.
The biggest hope that UAB has is to catch the Buckeyes looking ahead to MSU and the start of the B1G season. It’s certainly possible if OSU is caught sleeping and attempts to simply wake up, walk to The Shoe and play football. Ohio State has arguably played not-so-great football the past two weeks, though, and still had fairly positive results. Will it eventually bite them? Probably not, but I hope no one has already started thinking about the 29th.
More likely that not, we’ll see Ohio State continue their progression on QB pressure, building confidence in the RBs and possibly getting the starters a rest before they head into East Lansing.
I’m not trying to dismiss UAB, mind you; but their results through the season, thus far, do not seem to indicate the potential to upset the Buckeyes in The Horseshoe. If this game is within 2 TDs at the end, I would be shocked. I would also be concerned.
