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| Sunday, August 12 Updated: August 14, 8:43 AM ET Defense could carry UAB to title By Eric Crawford Special to ESPN.com |
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UAB Blazers 2000 record: 7-4 (3-4). Coach: Watson Brown (7th season, 31-35). Starters returning: 6 offense, 10 defense, 2 kickers. Outlook: If you're looking for a dark horse in the C-USA race, look to Birmingham. With QB Joe Aaron settling in, Brown has installed a one-back, no-huddle scheme to go with one of the nation's top returning defenses. Aaron went 4-2 as a starter last season and has a big-play threat in receiver Willie Quinnie and the league's best RB in Jegil Dugger. The defense is simply outstanding, returning 10 starters from a unit that ranked 11th nationally in total defense last season. Defensive coordinator Bill Clay was hired away by Oklahoma State, but the "Steel Shield" expects to stay in force behind seniors Bryan Thomas and Marlon Bush on the ends and Rodney Jones and Eddie Freeman at tackle. Senior Adrian Singleton anchors a veteran secondary. Keep an eye on: QB Joe Aaron. The junior-college transfer made the most of the opportunity when finally called upon last season. He can run and throw and takes care of the football -- he didn't commit a turnover until his fourth start last season. Key game: Sept. 29 at Southern Miss. A win here would show C-USA that UAB is serious about joining the upper division. It's a good year... UAB goes to a bowl. Expectations are high in Birmingham, and rightfully so. With the league's most advantageous schedule (UAB doesn't have to play Louisville or East Carolina), not only is a bowl bid a realistic expectation, but a conference title isn't even out of the question. Eric Crawford covers Conference USA for the Louisville Courier-Journal. |
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