An advantage for UConn football this season

[UConnJim]

UConn completed 15 spring practices this year and they were one of only 2 teams to practice 15 times this spring. Nine of UConn's opponents this year did not have any spring practices and the other three had 6 or less which should be an advantage for UConn. And, UConn had 11 early enrollees on campus that also participated in spring practice. Here is the 2020 schedule and the number of spring practices each team completed:

UMass - 0
Illinois - 0
Virginia - 0
Indiana - 4
Old Dominion - 0
Maine - 0
Ole Miss - 0
Liberty - 5
UNC - 0
San Jose St. - 6
Middle Tennessee - 0
Army - 0

 

[TouchdownHusky]

So it will be those 15 spring practices that will make the difference against Illinois, Indiana North Carolina and Ole Miss? Let's get this straight . . . if UConn starts practicing on July 1 and these schools start the week before the game (not talking about the players doing zero to get themselves in shape) the Huskies beat them? That's a lot of faith in a couple of practices.

 

[BoukofJames]

Interesting observation. I’ll gladly take any competitive edge, however small.

 

[huskymedic]

This was a SI article on the subject back in May:

Spring Practice Disparity Creates an Unusual Challenge for College Football Teams

>>The Chanticleers are one of two programs in major college football to have completed their entire 15-session spring practice before the virus pandemic shut down sports. The other: UConn. Huskies coach Randy Edsall started his spring practice two days before signing day. Both teams wrapped up...

the-boneyard.com

 

[DoctorWho85]

Unless that means the offense clicks on all cylinders because of those 15 practices, I don’t we see any competitive advantage coming out of it

 

[Dooooooomed]

12-0, baby.

 

[hardcorehusky]

If there is a coaching staff change, then this is huge because the players practice the system until a month before the season. I don't think there are any new coaching staffs in the first 3 rd of the schedule - by then the advantage is lost.

 

[chalk1]

I believe there is an advantage to the extra practices. Does it make your team better than another just because of practice. No. What it does do is give the coaches a look at what the new player offer and more importantly a good look at unit combo's and how they function together. Football requires a lot of players on the same page. If you can find combinations that show a difference it comes out in practice. Coaches are always looking for what works and those spring practices help in that regard. A well run unit can sometimes over come better talent if they function well together.

 

[formerlurker]

12-0, baby.

That's a violation of @UConnDan97 's copyright.

 

[gtcam]

So it will be those 15 spring practices that will make the difference against Illinois, Indiana North Carolina and Ole Miss? Let's get this straight . . . if UConn starts practicing on July 1 and these schools start the week before the game (not talking about the players doing zero to get themselves in shape) the Huskies beat them? That's a lot of faith in a couple of practices.

Suzy Sunshine

 

[weyuo]

It's really a shame because UConn had some momentum coming into the summer practices with 11 early enrollees and not a lot of guys sitting out Spring practice due to injury. The transfer portal bug had its effect on the Huskies but you know what? Guys that didn't want to be here are now gone. Recruiting seems to be improving despite it. If they could have continued past Spring ball with a solid few months of organized, supervised strength and conditioning it would have gone a long way into prepping them for this upcoming season. But.... the world said,'No UConn, we're not done cursing you yet. Take your nice momentum and space it out at least 6 feet apart while we try and cancel the season altogether and force your school to contemplate cutting some sports. And....wear a mask dammit! The snakebit Huskies just can't catch a break.

 

[UConnDan97]

That's a violation of @UConnDan97 's copyright.

I'll allow it because he seems very "iffy" on what's going to happen in those playoff games...

#TheREAL14-0