I do not know how Trent Dilfer did not get fired as the college football coach at UAB last season. It would be an even bigger surprise if he manages to keep his job after this season.
He either needs to lead a miraculous turnaround for a program he has already run into the ground or he will be relieved of his duties by the end of December, if not much earlier.
With that in mind, Dilfer is already making excuses. The Blazers’ opponent might draw a bigger crowd for their 2025 college football season-opener in Birmingham on Saturday so don’t be surprised if they lose.
Alabama State is going to roll deep to UAB.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham and Alabama State University are separated by less than 100 miles. Hornets fans can drive about 80 minutes north, straight up I-65 to attend this weekend’s game.
It will be played at Protective Stadium in Birmingham at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.
Alabama State pulled an average fan attendance of 18,868 during the 2024 season. That ranked fifth among teams in the Football Championship Division.
UAB had… a lot less than 18,868. The Blazers had less than 5,000 fans in the stands by October for a team that ultimately finished the regular season at 3-9. Their crowd got even smaller by November.
Even though UAB does not sell a lot of tickets, historically speaking, the attendance numbers for Dilfer’s second season at the helm were abysmal. Or pathetic. Whatever adjective you prefer.
If the same crowd as last season shows up to Protective Stadium to begin this new season, the Blazers will almost certainly lose their home-field advantage. Alabama State would need to bring just half of its fanbase to out-number the home side.
Trent Dilfer is preparing for the worst.
With that in mind, Dilfer wants to be abundantly clear that this upcoming game is going to be a challenge. Both in terms of on-field play and the potential disadvantage of the crowd.
UAB HC Trent Dilfer previews the home opener vs. Alabama State this Thursday.
— BirminghamSports (@BirminghamSport) August 25, 2025
Coach Dilfer anticipates a big crowd ⬇️
“They're going to bring, I would guess, as many people as we have, and it's not going to necessarily feel like a home environment all the time.” pic.twitter.com/EgqMIjo1A7
Maybe Dilfer is trying to keep his team grounded before it plays an inferior opponent. This might be his way of avoiding any potential fodder for the Hornets. No bulletin board material. I get it.
SIKE! I don’t get it.
Alabama State went 7-5 last season. It is competes on the Football Championship Subdivision.
In no world should UAB lost to a five-loss FCS opponent, even if there is a larger amount of fans cheering for the visitors. To suggest this game will be a “challenge” is pathetic.
The expectation should be to dominant. Trent Dilfer needs to win big.