Bowl projections: UAB is back on the bowl map for the first time since 2022

Doesn't it feel good, Blazer Nation? You're back in bowl projections. And if Diehard is right, you might be headed to a brand-new bowl game.

Diehard Sports Network, in its first bowl projection of the season, predicts UAB will play UMass in the Puerto Rico Bowl on Dec. 22. Six of eight national projectors have the Blazers playing in December — the first time UAB has appeared in multiple bowl projections since 2022, when Bryant Vincent coached the Blazers to a 7-6 record and a Bahamas Bowl win as interim after Bill Clark stepped down for health reasons. Trent Dilfer went 4-8, 3-9 and 2-4 across three seasons before being fired at midseason in 2025. Alex Mortensen, who replaced Dilfer as interim, rebuilt the roster with 41 portal additions in his first full season as head coach. SP+ projected 4.1 wins. UAB already has four with five games left.

The homecoming win over East Carolina changed the math. UAB quarterback Ryder Burton drove 93 yards in the final 1:37 to tie the game, then hit running back Roderick Robinson II for a six-yard touchdown in overtime. Cornerback Delvon Gulley returned an interception 80 yards to seal a 30-17 win in which UAB never led in regulation. The Blazers are 4-0 at home, 2-1 in conference play and two wins from bowl eligibility.

Where the projectors have UAB

Projector | Bowl | Date | TV | Matchup

Brett McMurphy (On3) | Cure Bowl | Dec. 22 | ESPN | UAB vs. UConn

Brad Crawford (CBS Sports) | Puerto Rico | Dec. 22 | ESPN | UAB vs. Delaware

Bryan Fischer (SI.com) | Myrtle Beach | Dec. 21 | ESPN | UAB vs. Buffalo

Steven Lassan (Athlon Sports) | — | — | — | Not projected

Kyle Bonagura (ESPN) | 68 Ventures | Dec. 26 | ESPN | UAB vs. Louisiana Tech

Mark Schlabach (ESPN) | 68 Ventures | Dec. 26 | ESPN | UAB vs. Eastern Michigan

Pete Fiutak (CFN) | — | — | — | Not projected

Tim Stephens (Diehard) | Puerto Rico | Dec. 22 | ESPN | UAB vs. UMass

Diehard and CBS Sports' Brad Crawford both project the Puerto Rico Bowl on Dec. 22. ESPN's Kyle Bonagura and Mark Schlabach agree on the 68 Ventures Bowl in Mobile on Dec. 26 but differ on the opponent. On3's Brett McMurphy has the Cure Bowl. SI.com's Bryan Fischer has Myrtle Beach. Five different bowls across six projectors — nobody agrees on the destination, but the majority agree UAB is going. Athlon Sports' Steven Lassan and College Football News' Pete Fiutak are the two holdouts.

Where they stand

UAB is 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the American. UTSA leads the conference at 3-0. North Texas is 2-0. Army is 3-1. With five conference games remaining, UAB is very much in the mix.

Remaining schedule

UAB needs two wins from five remaining games to be eligible for a bowl game.

• Oct. 31 — at South Florida (5-2, 1-2 American)
• Nov. 7 — Charlotte (1-6, 1-2 American)
• Nov. 14 — at Temple (2-5, 1-2 American)
• Nov. 21 — UTSA (6-1, 3-0 American)
• Nov. 28 — at North Texas (4-2, 2-0 American)

Charlotte at home and Temple on the road are the clearest path. Charlotte is 1-6. Temple is 2-5. Win those two and UAB is bowl-eligible regardless of what happens against South Florida, UTSA or North Texas. The back end is harder — UTSA, North Texas and South Florida are among the top teams in the league, and the latter two are on the road.