Q: When we look at top twenty teams do you see uconn making it at that level by the end of the year? – Raymond Martineau, Steubenville, Ohio
A: Im not sure the schedule is strong enough this year plus the Big East gets slighted in polls most years – with good reason and sometimes not – but really have to see what kind of team steps on the field, particularly on offense, early on but I think you’ll be looking at a top 10-ranked defense if those guys play even remotely close to what we saw in spring practice. Y2 under defensive coordinator Don Brown is primed to be what his Ds have been cracked up to be in the past – with depth. Should be fun to watch but the key will be no matter how good it is it must continue to improve each game. Sky limit if it does
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21 Responses to Do You See UConn At Top 20 Level By End Of Year?
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George DeLeone has been in the coaching business for a long time and brings a ton of knowledge. Let’s hope he can whip up some offense with this team next year. Wide outs and offensive line are a weak spot and Explosive plays might be few and far between. Does the freshman class have any home run hitters because that would be a huge plus.
I’m an optimist in terms of what I think the offense can do this year but has George DeLeone ever had success as an offensive coordinator? I’m an optimist in terms of what the defense will do as well. It’s easy to be optimistic in May. Go Huskies!
Oh my
WOW! Just woke up from a bad dream. There was a group of people who mentioned Uconn and top 20. Are you guys kidding. Watch one week of college football that dosn’t originate in New England , and you won’t make silly statements like these.
-If Whitmer is a average or better BCS qb
-1 of Phillips or Mcneal is the real deal
-Joe Williams can be a solid #2 back
-OL gets healthy
If two of these 4 happen we are bowling. Look at our L’s last year. We were not far off from a bowl game or better in year 1 under PP considering the system changes and amout of depth we lost to the draft and transfer wise. If 3 or more of these things happen we have a shot with this schedule to run the table. Yes, I said it. NCST, Lville, Rutgers and USF are all going to be quality games among others. But none of them are above us and the roster we have now in year 2 under PP is solid.
DC my man, I am always the eternal optimist with this time but even I cannot even begin to think that this team is capable of being a Top 20 team and the main fact is the questions that they have on offense. The D’ has so much to build on from last year with its rush defense and turnover margin being but they were but they were handcuffed by the inability of the offense to move the ball and score. Lyle did his thing but he cannot do it alone. Teams still know that UC is a run first team and last year was no exception. Our QB situations show our true potential and until we get a play caller that can take control of the offense, move the ball and score, so that we have balance on both sides of the ball, we are no better than 6th in the conference. We can blame HCPP or Johnny Mac or whoever but until we find that balance, its not going to happen. Its questions like Raymonds that shows the unfair expectations that are put on this team and why they cannot live up to them. If they get 6-7 wins and make a bowl, then that is a solid season and something to build on. Lets hope with the recruiting class coming in and next years that they can continue moving up and possibly meet some of those expectations.
Good points Frank – including the biggest one on O and QB.
Hasn’t that been the case for about 6-7 years now?
It’s all up to the QB, if CW perform at an all BE level, they can win 10 games. That’s top 20.
Great QB play can change everything about the Huskies. That will be the factor with the greatest affect on the season.
Big East bias in polls awfully strong Pal and the situation the conference finds itself in right now won’t help this year at all. I don’t know if 10 wins would do it this year; 12-0 might get top 25. I’m tellin ya man no respect for this league right now nationally and it’s going to get worse. We’ll see.
The experts predict UConn to finish just above Syracuse and Temple, Raymond, at the bottom of the conference. I assume these pundits know something. It will a miracle if they get into a bowl game based on what I read. Maybe Louisville or Rutgers will be in the top 25, but even that is stretching one’s imagination. I am not trying to be mean. I am a UC fan, but just being realistic based on last year’s performance.
What Big East expert said that because I must have missed it – thanks buddy
A provocative question. Do you really believe UCONN can be a Top 20 ranked team?
If you look at all other FCS Conferences, can there be only 19 teams better than our Huskies? Unfortunatly I think not. A mid ranked BE school can be in the top 50 programs; hard to figure a scenario where they are top 20.
This comes from a realistic UCONN fan.
I believe UConn defense will do its job again; the question will be whether the offense will come around, be more diversified than last season, and use the weapons it has. L-Mc should have more help in the backfield at RB, the QB situation looks like it’ll be better, and a more creative role for the fullback cannot hurt. O-line always takes it lumps but they’re workhorses, and a more varied offense will help them by helping to keep defenses guessing as to what’s coming next. See y’all at the Rent!
DC: Last year UConn was last in BE play in pass defense. 5 of the 7 BE QBs that UConn faced had their best BE passing performance against UConn (based on passing yards in BE games). UConn’s biggest QB issue going into the season will be figuring out how to stop the opposing QB. I agree that if the year 2 defense gets it together it could be very good season. I expect 8 – 4 and can easily see better.
To add….
The UConn defense in 2010 was also: 4th in the nation (and No.1 in the Big East) in rush defense (85.67 yards per game); turnover margin (+0.67) 20th in the nation, second in the Big East; Sacks, 13th in the nation, fourth in the Big East at 2.83 per game. The nation’s second leading sacker and Big East sack leader in 2010 returns in Trevardo Williams (1.04 per game) the nation’s 21st and 32nd top tacklers for loss, also second and third in the Big East respectively and Sio Moore and Williams. That is an awful lot of good stuff to build on. The fact the defense posted these numbers during Year 1 in the system says something, I think. I think you have to keep in mind it was still Year 1 though, you’re learning it and the quarterbacks they faced namely Carder and Jantz were better than people thought and want to give them credit for, especially around here but their success more than anything was a result of small plays becoming big plays rather than the secondary being torched deep left and right.
The question is, Does UConn have to be a top 20 team for it to have an excellent season in football? The Big East is praying that someone, anyone has that kind of season this year. I’m more inclined to agree with the Memorial Day cocktail comments – I’d love to see it but think it would only happen after a few scotches. Maybe DC would like to join me for those when he’s down here for the USF game.
Lol – absolutely. Hopefully I can follow the right directions to the restaurant this time. All the best to you and your family and of course my girl, Sweet P!
Knew I couldn’t sneak this comment by you my friend – thanks for the greetings and go Huskies!
I’m as big a UCFB fan as anyone but no offense Raymond, you must have had a few too many Holiday weekend cocktails…
Agree with Dez, but this team has some excellent potential. Let’s just see what develops. UConn wasn’t that far removed from having an excellent year last year. With Chandler Whitmer and this year’s receivers, it could have been a special season last year. The difference between success and mediocrity is a fine line especially when injuries can play a pivotal role. It helps to be lucky in this business.