The UAB Blazers are suiting up for another exciting fall in Birmingham, and this time, the 2025 season carries a little more edge. With a schedule that features a blend of historic rivals, service academies, and high-powered matchups, Trent Dilfer’s squad has the opportunity to redefine its trajectory.
After flashes of brilliance and frustrating stumbles in 2024, Blazer Nation is hungry for consistency and a true breakthrough year. So, can UAB rise from the middle of the AAC pack and blaze a fresh trail toward contention? With College Sports Network’s Transfer Portal Tracker, you can stay ahead of the chaos. Follow every entrant, commitment, and decommitment as they happen.
2025 UAB Football Schedule
Here’s how the Blazers’ 2025 campaign is shaping up, week-by-week:
- Thu, Aug. 28—vs Alabama State
- Sat, Sep. 6—at Navy
- Sat, Sep. 13—vs Akron
- Sat, Sep. 20—at Tennessee
- Sat, Oct. 4—vs Army
- Sat, Oct. 11—at Florida Atlantic
- Sat, Oct. 18—vs Memphis
- Sat, Nov. 1—at UConn
- Sat, Nov. 8—at Rice
- Sat, Nov. 15—vs North Texas
- Sat, Nov. 22—vs South Florida
- Sat, Nov. 29—at Tulsa
Breaking Down the Slate: What to Expect in 2025
UAB opens its season with a Thursday night clash at home against Alabama State (Aug. 28), a confidence-building opportunity before hitting the road. In Week 2 (Sep. 6), the Blazers face the always-disciplined Navy Midshipmen in Annapolis. It is a team known for its triple-option offense that could challenge UAB’s defensive patience and endurance early in the season.
Week 3 (Sep. 13) brings Akron to Protective Stadium—a game that looks very winnable on paper. But then comes the real litmus test: a Week 4 road trip to Tennessee (Sep. 20), where Dilfer’s crew will face an SEC giant in one of the nation’s rowdiest environments. It’s the type of game that could galvanize the Blazers or expose lingering depth issues.
After a much-needed bye, UAB returns on Oct. 4 to host Army, another grind-it-out team that tests your front seven with physical, old-school football. The Blazers then enter the thick of AAC play with a road tilt at Florida Atlantic (Oct. 11). It’s a rising team led by Tom Herman that’s building speed and depth.
Mid-October brings a huge home battle against Memphis (Oct. 18), a perennial AAC contender. That game could go a long way in determining UAB’s bowl positioning. After that, it’s back-to-back road games at UConn (Nov. 1) and Rice (Nov. 8)—two programs that have struggled but can’t be taken lightly.
The final stretch includes three crucial conference games: North Texas (Nov. 15), South Florida (Nov. 22), and a regular-season finale at Tulsa (Nov. 29). All three opponents have been unpredictable in recent seasons, and with bowl eligibility likely on the line, these late matchups could make or break the Blazers’ postseason hopes.
Head coach Trent Dilfer, who’s entering his third season in 2025, has been vocal about UAB’s ambitions: “We’re not here just to compete—we’re here to lead. We’ve got the tools, and now it’s time to put the pieces together for a full season.”
Can the Blazers Blaze Forward in Year Three Under Dilfer?
Let’s be real—UAB’s 2024 season was a rollercoaster. The Blazers showed promise, particularly on defense, but offensive inconsistency and injuries held them back. Now, in Year 3 of the Dilfer era, the heat is on to turn potential into results.
Quarterback development will be critical. If the Blazers can find consistency under center and improve red zone efficiency (a big weakness last year), they could elevate themselves from fringe contenders to serious threats in the AAC. Look for names like Jacob Zeno and up-and-coming freshmen to compete for snaps if the position battle heats up again.
Defensively, UAB has some returning stars at linebacker and safety, but they’ll need more pressure up front. Games against service academies like the Navy and the Army will test the defense’s discipline and conditioning. Meanwhile, matchups with teams like Memphis and Florida Atlantic will challenge their ability to defend against tempo and spread attacks.
Another underrated factor? Home-field advantage. Protective Stadium has proven to be a sneaky-tough place to play, and UAB will need to capitalize on home games against Alabama State, Akron, Army, Memphis, North Texas, and South Florida. That’s six opportunities to get the crowd behind them and stack critical wins.
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UAB athletic director Mark Ingram recently said, “This schedule gives us a real shot to showcase who we are becoming. It’s balanced, it’s tough, and it gives our team a chance to grow week to week.”
If UAB can pull off a road upset—say, at Tennessee or Navy—and take care of business at home, an eight- or nine-win season isn’t out of reach. And in the ever-shifting landscape of college football, such a finish could even put them in line for a top-tier bowl or a surprise run in the AAC Championship picture.
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