Bowl projections: Four projectors still see UAB in a bowl game as Blazers head to South Florida

You're still on the board, Blazer Nation.

Diehard Sports Network projects UAB to play FIU in the Puerto Rico Bowl on Dec. 22 in Bayamon. Three national projectors — On3's Brett McMurphy, SI.com's Bryan Fischer and ESPN's Mark Schlabach — join Diehard in keeping the Blazers on their bowl boards. That's four of eight total, down from six a week ago. CBS Sports' Brad Crawford and ESPN's Kyle Bonagura both dropped UAB during the bye week. Athlon Sports' Steven Lassan lists UAB as "just missing." College Football News' Pete Fiutak does not project the Blazers. UAB is 4-3 overall, 2-1 in the American and two wins from bowl eligibility with five games remaining.

UAB returns from the bye Saturday at South Florida (11 a.m. CT, ESPNU). The Bulls are 5-2 overall and 1-2 in the American. UAB is a 7.5-point road underdog.

Where the bowl projections have UAB

Projector | Bowl | Date | TV | Matchup

Brett McMurphy (On3) | 68 Ventures | Dec. 26 | ESPN | UAB vs. Georgia State

Brad Crawford (CBS Sports) | — | — | — | Not projected

Bryan Fischer (SI.com) | Salute to Veterans | Dec. 15 | ESPN | UAB vs. Middle Tennessee State

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

Kyle Bonagura (ESPN) | — | — | — | Not projected

Mark Schlabach (ESPN) | 68 Ventures | Dec. 26 | ESPN | UAB vs. Miami (Ohio)

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

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

On3's Brett McMurphy and ESPN's Mark Schlabach both project the 68 Ventures Bowl in Mobile on Dec. 26. They differ on the opponent: McMurphy has Georgia State, Schlabach has Miami (Ohio). SI.com's Bryan Fischer projects the Salute to Veterans Bowl in Montgomery on Dec. 15, which would put UAB on the opening day of bowl season. Diehard is the only projector with the Puerto Rico Bowl. CBS Sports' Brad Crawford had UAB in Puerto Rico a week ago but dropped the Blazers after the bye. ESPN's Kyle Bonagura had the 68 Ventures Bowl last week and also removed them.

Where they stand

UAB is 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the American. UTSA leads the conference at 4-0 with a 7-1 overall mark. North Texas is 3-0. Army is 4-1. Memphis is 3-1. The Blazers are in the middle of a crowded pack and need wins to stay on bowl boards.

Remaining schedule

UAB needs two wins from five remaining games to reach bowl eligibility.

• 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 (7-1, 4-0 American)
• Nov. 28 — at North Texas (5-2, 3-0 American)

Charlotte at home and Temple on the road remain 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 other three are all difficult — South Florida and North Texas are on the road, and UTSA is the conference leader. The Saturday trip to Tampa will tell the Blazers a lot about where they stand.