(09-24-2018 02:55 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote: Guys - we're 4-0 with a legit defense and we have a running game with enough passing threat and a running QB to drive DEE coordinators nuts. Are you really worried about UConn? UCONN?!! Puhleeese. They're a dumpster fire this year. This is not the UConn of the old Big East days. I respect Edsall as a coach but I think he inherited more a bare cupboard from Diaco than we did from Captain Cadaver. There's a reason we're 17 point favorites. Relax....
Young team that isn't there yet. All games worry me, particularly road games.
(09-24-2018 02:55 PM)UCGrad1992 Wrote: Guys - we're 4-0 with a legit defense and we have a running game with enough passing threat and a running QB to drive DEE coordinators nuts. Are you really worried about UConn? UCONN?!! Puhleeese. They're a dumpster fire this year. This is not the UConn of the old Big East days. I respect Edsall as a coach but I think he inherited more a bare cupboard from Diaco than we did from Captain Cadaver. There's a reason we're 17 point favorites. Relax....
Young team that isn't there yet. All games worry me, particularly road games.
UCLA is better than UConn. This same young team found a way to overcome a crappy first half of play and a 21 point deficit to go get the win on Saturday. Look, I'm not cocky but I'm confident that we can win this game on the road. We're already ahead of the curve in the wins column at this juncture. No worries...
I think we'll win too, but UCLA isn't very good either. Ohio is 103 in S/P+ and that was a struggle. I think UC has been solid and has benefited a ton from their schedule. They should beat UConn, but on the road I want to see them keep getting better.
Hopefully Saturday was a wake up call, and they will come out dialed in Saturday. My guess is they will given it's the start of the conference season. I know Uconn has a mobile qb so i suspect they will scheme the Ou early success. However, i do not suspect their qb will be as elusive or as experienced.
(09-24-2018 04:59 PM)ucbandguy Wrote: Should we win? Yes. But the great thing about sports is that you have to go out on the field and prove it each time.
I think LF will be pretty good about having the team ready, but he is a young coach, and this is a young team. Road games can be very unforgiving.
In terms of moving the ball on offense and time of possession, UConn is on par with the Bearcats with the exception of scoring. Cincinnati is ranked (out of 130 FBS teams) #67 in PPG and UConn is #122. Cincinnati is ranked #7 in percentage scoring in the red zone and UConn is #120. We're ranked #50 in red zone scores per game and UConn is #121.
On the flip, we slam dunketh on defense compared to them. CincinnatUH ranks #12 in opponents PPG and UConn is #130. Cincy is #22 in opponents first downs/game and UConn is #130. In terms of opponents yards/game, we're ranked #12 and UConn is #130.
In terms of giveaways per game, Cincinnati is ranked #22 (0.7) and UConn #113 (2.3).
They do have us beat in less penalty yards per game but I wonder how much the Ohio game affected that stat.
Yes, any road game can be more of a challenge but this is game #5 and the team knows it's personnel and identity much better than game #1. I don't see any way we lose this game unless we do it (undoing) by our own hands. I would much rather be in that position than worrying if we can compete on the same field with another opponent like we felt for many games last season.
(09-25-2018 09:25 AM)UCGrad1992 Wrote: In terms of moving the ball on offense and time of possession, UConn is on par with the Bearcats with the exception of scoring. Cincinnati is ranked (out of 130 FBS teams) #67 in PPG and UConn is #122. Cincinnati is ranked #7 in percentage scoring in the red zone and UConn is #120. We're ranked #50 in red zone scores per game and UConn is #121.
On the flip, we slam dunketh on defense compared to them. CincinnatUH ranks #12 in opponents PPG and UConn is #130. Cincy is #22 in opponents first downs/game and UConn is #130. In terms of opponents yards/game, we're ranked #12 and UConn is #130.
In terms of giveaways per game, Cincinnati is ranked #22 (0.7) and UConn #113 (2.3).
They do have us beat in less penalty yards per game but I wonder how much the Ohio game affected that stat.
Yes, any road game can be more of a challenge but this is game #5 and the team knows it's personnel and identity much better than game #1. I don't see any way we lose this game unless we do it (undoing) by our own hands. I would much rather be in that position than worrying if we can compete on the same field with another opponent like we felt for many games last season.
I know it took a fluke to beat UCONN last year, but I do think we are a much improved team this year.From what I have seen of UCONN they are still pretty bad and I expect us to win this one fairly comfortably.
I'm not saying that we ***can't*** lose this game...because if you sleep on any team, you can and will lose. BUT...
Let's be honest here. This UConn team is about two seasons away from being truly competitive. Edsall favors a run-heavy, power offense. He's recruiting the guys he will need, but they are not there yet. Not only that, but UConn lost their starting RB (I think it was the starting RB) in training camp.
I envision a similar situation to Miami. It's close on the scoreboard for much of the game but we're in control the whole time and ease out a 20+ point victory
(09-25-2018 09:25 AM)UCGrad1992 Wrote: In terms of moving the ball on offense and time of possession, UConn is on par with the Bearcats with the exception of scoring. Cincinnati is ranked (out of 130 FBS teams) #67 in PPG and UConn is #122. Cincinnati is ranked #7 in percentage scoring in the red zone and UConn is #120. We're ranked #50 in red zone scores per game and UConn is #121.
On the flip, we slam dunketh on defense compared to them. CincinnatUH ranks #12 in opponents PPG and UConn is #130. Cincy is #22 in opponents first downs/game and UConn is #130. In terms of opponents yards/game, we're ranked #12 and UConn is #130.
In terms of giveaways per game, Cincinnati is ranked #22 (0.7) and UConn #113 (2.3).
They do have us beat in less penalty yards per game but I wonder how much the Ohio game affected that stat.
Yes, any road game can be more of a challenge but this is game #5 and the team knows it's personnel and identity much better than game #1. I don't see any way we lose this game unless we do it (undoing) by our own hands. I would much rather be in that position than worrying if we can compete on the same field with another opponent like we felt for many games last season.
I agree with this statement.
Go Cats!
I really think this game is going to be close. We have definitely improved across the board, but I think those rankings are inflated because of who we've played and UCONN's rankings are deflated because of who they've played. We would very likely be 1-3 or 2-2 had we played UCONN's schedule. Hopefully, I'm wrong and we roll big.
Quote:Injuries Continue To Pile Up For Struggling UConn Football Team
September 25, 2018
After remaining relatively healthy for the first few weeks of the season, UConn’s roster has begun to suffer some attrition.
Coach Randy Edsall said Tuesday that linebacker Eli Thomas, cornerback Tahj Herring-Wilson, linebacker Marshe Terry, receiver Keyion Dixon and running back Khyon Gillespie will all sit out Saturday’s game against Cincinnati with injuries.
Herring-Wilson and Terry both hurt their ankles earlier this month against Rhode Island, then missed last week’s loss to Syracuse. Thomas exited the game against the Orange with what Edsall said is a neck injury. Dixon also left Saturday with an undisclosed issue. Gillespie underwent ACL surgery Tuesday and will miss the rest of the season.
This slew of injuries will force UConn to play even more young players than they have already this season. Herring-Wilson and Terry have been replaced on the depth chart by a pair of freshmen (Shamel Lazarus and Ian Swenson), while Thomas’ role as second-team linebacker will go to freshman Hunter Webb. With Gillespie sidelined, fellow freshman Dante Black could see his first game action.
This rash of injuries comes as UConn (1-3) enters the bulk of its conference schedule, ahead of difficult games against Cincinnati (4-0), Memphis (3-1) and South Florida (4-0). The absence of three key contributors on defense could prove particularly damaging for a Huskies team that ranks distantly last in FBS in points and yards allowed per game.
Easy Edsall made life hard on 2 programs by going to Maryland. Sure, hindsight is 20/20, but how did he think Maryland was gonna be a big upgrade over life at UCONN? Had he stuck around UCONN would likely still be sailing along....oh and he did Maryland no favors by setting up shop there.
(09-26-2018 08:05 AM)marcuscan Wrote: Easy Edsall made life hard on 2 programs by going to Maryland. Sure, hindsight is 20/20, but how did he think Maryland was gonna be a big upgrade over life at UCONN?
There are some coaches who likely won't ever be able to be a head coach passed a certain level. I always think of guys like Jones, Edsall, and Schiano. All three had a pretty good thing going and they opted for a bigger payday and failed.
I always wonder what would have happened at some programs if their coach had stayed and continued to build like Peterson, and Patterson have done.
Its beyond the point. I expect UCONN will play us tough, but I think our Defense will show back up and make life difficult for them to move the ball.
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UConn Huskies
