2021 Independence Bowl Preview: UAB vs. BYU

The Independence Bowl has historically been played after Christmas, but this year it will be played before the holiday in order to get a Saturday television slot. Two of the better coaches in the country are involved in this game, making it one of the more interesting bowls on the schedule. Some bowls are decided by the level of motivation each team possesses. With each coach sticking with his current team, we are likely to get a bowl game in which both teams compete with an equal amount of enthusiasm and verve.

UAB Blazers vs. BYU Cougars
Date: Saturday, December 18th, 3:30 PM ET

Location: Independence Stadium, Shreveport, LA

CFB Odds: BYU -7

UAB Blazers

The Blazers won eight games this season, continuing to produce winning campaigns under head coach Bill Clark. Remember that UAB’s program was suspended for a few years and had to restart from scratch. Clark has been able to build a winner from those rare and unfavorable circumstances. Winning eight games at UAB is so much harder to do than at a lot of other places in college football. The Blazers have to be happy with what they achieved this season, with one exception.

UAB was in position to give the Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners their first loss of the season in late November. UTSA was 10-0, and UAB outplayed the Roadrunners on the road in San Antonio. UAB had fourth and inches in the final two minutes with a lead, but Clark – in a rare error of judgment – decided to punt. UTSA took the ball and drove downfield. The Roadrunners scored on the final play of the game, a tipped pass caught in the end zone for a game-winning touchdown. UAB let that game slip away, the one real regret in its 2021 season. It was a very good year, but that one moment was certainly a gut punch.

BYU Cougars

The Cougars went 10-2 and turned in a terrific season under head coach Kalani Sitake, who signed a contract extension to remain with the Cougars. Zach Wilson went to the NFL this year, so BYU was viewed as a vulnerable team which might struggle on offense. That did not happen. The Cougars scored 66 points in a win over Virginia and regularly fielded a potent attack which scored victories against five different Pac-12 opponents. BYU also defeated Mountain West Conference champion Utah State, forging a quality resume. BYU’s only two losses were to very talented teams: Big 12 Conference champion Baylor, and a Boise State team which underachieved in 2021 but was very dangerous. A 10-win season is far beyond the expectations this team had for itself this year. Brigham Young should feel great about its position as a program heading into 2022.

Outlook

UAB is an overachieving team, but BYU is an overachieving team as well, and the Cougars have played higher-caliber opposition than UAB has. BYU should win barring an improbably bad performance.

Blazers vs. Cougars Prediction:

Cougars 34, Blazers 23