Fagnano and Bell are out for the Wasabi Bowl

[coachcap]

What do people think of the G5 playoff idea that was tossed around. Given our AP Top 25 votes, I'd assume we'd be ranked in the top 12 or whatever they decided for a G5 playoff and in it. Feel like players would be more motivated by that. I know it's then saying we're not necessarily up to par with the P4, but maybe this works better?

Those who are proposing the G5 playoff are the same good old boy network that would love to see all teams that moved up to FBS Status in the last 30 odd years to go back down to the FCS ranks.
If one acknowledges a G5 playoff, one is actually giving homage to a glorified reconstructed FCS division...

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Every is entitled to their opinions.

I understand that we've been hit with a roller-coaster ride of emotions since the missed FG at the end of the FAU game.

In a perfect world we would be entering this game with a full coaching staff and a full roster, ready to hang 40 something points on Army while holding them under 20. The hand we've been dealt is quite a bit less than perfect.

The best we can do at the moment but is accept things as they are (we cannot change anything about this fame beyond the efforts we put in to watching it), appreciate the good we've received from the players & coaches and look forward to a new chapter in the program (it may not present itself immediately but I believe our new head coach will bring us consistently higher than we've ever been).

I'm not about to get angry with anyone who won't be part of the upcoming bowl game. I'd rather thank them for the role they played in getting us where we will be in a few years.

 

[pilgrim]

Does anyone else feel this bowl game is rather anticlimactic? With the departure of our head coach, interim head coach, and several players, and after a long break (it will be over a month since the FAU game), it feels like all momentum from a successful season is gone and that the game is pointless. It doesn't even feel like the same team. Who will be handling head coaching duties? I know it's a business, but this all really puts a damper on things.

Paradigm change to business mode, and the only things football fans can do is boycott by refusing attendance and becoming streamers. That would send the University and the football departments a message. I can't imagine Geno permitting a scholarship players to refuse to participate in March madness post season games. This is an issue for the AD to address.

 

[FightOnCT]

What do people think of the G5 playoff idea that was tossed around. Given our AP Top 25 votes, I'd assume we'd be ranked in the top 12 or whatever they decided for a G5 playoff and in it. Feel like players would be more motivated by that. I know it's then saying we're not necessarily up to par with the P4, but maybe this works better?

The same guys played last year in Fenway so I don’t think the issue is that it’s meaningless, I think it’s coaching instability + draft preparation.

As for the G6 playoffs, it’s an attempt by higher ups to create a “separate but equal” playoff so they can shoehorn in their favorite teams into the playoffs while saying the G6 shouldn’t compete. It’s not politically correct to say BC or Rutgers shouldn’t either so they hide behind the P4 vs G6 labels.

 

[Vowelguy]

I think the NCAA could mandate that players play in bowl games as part of their NIL contracts.

And what do you do if a player says they are injured? Force a trainer to clear them? Force them to play? Player gets injured and the school gets sued. Or the player plays and they give the same effort NBA players give in the all-star game.

 

[UConnTrumbull]

The best idea really is a Week 0 bowl game. Or just add a 13th regular season game and replace bowls altogether besides CFP.

 

[Tdaley]

Cry me a river

2 players opt out, one it is totally understandable, and it's the end of the freaking world. What if 5 or 10 opt out? If you are a true Uconn fan, you would look at this as an opportunity to see what we have for next year. A preview perhaps. Or see where we need to attack the portal.
I'll tell you what, our new coach would much rather see this than watch 2 guys who will never spend a second under his regime.

I for one would love to see if we have the potential QB for next year on the roster or not.

I agree 100 per cent! It’s a UConn football game in December. Let’s root for the players that will play their hearts out for the team. Go Huskies!

 

[Gburyhusky]

Neither of these guys (Fagnano of Bell) owe any apologies or explanations. They have been exemplary representatives of the program and have given much more than they have gotten. Specifically as to Fagnano, give some thought to the guy's path: he is a successful FCS QB at Maine, decides to roll the dice and transfer to UConn when it was a a borderline dumpster fire of a program to follow Charton (who later leaves). He wins the job, then gets hurt and spends basically an entire season on the sidelines rehabbing. He is recruited over with Evers but doesn't transfer. He finally gets his shot and he plays what was the likely the best single season a UConn QB has ever had. This guy has done enough and can call his shot as he sees it.

 

[Jimdish255]

I understand your point but fans should go to support Uconn. You bailing is kind of mirroring what they are doing. Of course everyone is free to do what they want with their time and money but I think its important to do our part.

I don't see the disappointment as "mirroring" anything. Guilt trips that involve dictating other's priorities are usually a bad take. Army is a difficult game to get excited about to begin with, and now your QB who is the key piece of your offense won't be playing. But you're a bad fan if you don't dedicate substantial time and money to make the trip? I spent mine at the FAU game anticipating this possiblity. We got a bad draw and it looks like most players agree. We'll support the team in person again next year and watch this game at home. But people have priorities that legitimately include whether making this trip would be worth it for them. Like others if it was easier/cheaper/closer I'd still go. But more attractive options for many fans might have included a warm weather trip similar to Boca vs Louisville. This year was about making a statement. For individual players this game can still do that. But for the program the odds are stacked against this being a meaningful game. That goes for a lot of Bowl Games now. It was inevitable in the current setup.

Let's take it easy on each other. Most of us showed up for a lot of cold, hopeless games watching the program slide with an anemic offense and bend-break defense. So make the best of it and show up if you can. The rest of us will be back again next year pulling for the team to have another great year.

 

[Samoo]

If they could play last year, they can easily play this year. What’s changed?

Disappointing to say the least

You support and root for these players. Then they have a good year and it’s all about them.

Really hard to support this system that is such an to the fans they want to attend and watch the games.

Ah, I don't know, maybe, if they get injured, a chance for a multi-million $ professional contract...

Would you be willing to risk foregoing life-changing wealth to play in a bowl game that doesn't honestly mean that much?

 

[UCHFB2003]

Players are gonna do what they think is best for their futures. Does suck tho how irrelevant bowls are becoming and that every prominent player sits out now. Bowl games back in the day were way more competitive and wanted in general. Hopefully we can pull something together against Army. 10th win on the season would be a big achievement for the program

 

[Hoophound]

Ah, I don't know, maybe, if they get injured, a chance for a multi-million $ professional contract...

Would you be willing to risk foregoing life-changing wealth to play in a bowl game that doesn't honestly mean that much?

Insurance. There is no point in fans paying for garbage. That's the bottom line. If this is what bowls are going to be, fans are complete suckers for paying for them.

 

[BRS24]

No shade to the OP, however has this been confirmed by anyone?

 

[FightOnCT]

If they could play last year, they can easily play this year. What’s changed?

Disappointing to say the least

You support and root for these players. Then they have a good year and it’s all about them.

Really hard to support this system that is such an to the fans they want to attend and watch the games.

That last part is definitely true I get it but Bell has done a lot for UConn in this past year. Remember, he was a big factor in why Malachi Smith transferred over here. He shows up to basketball and hockey games too, I doubt it’s anything more than preserving draft stock.

 

[Waquoit]

This why we chose the Fenway Bowl. Nobody Very few people would travel far for a bowl this year, imo. And I don't blame these guys, Army is a dirty team, who needs that?

 

[Jimdish255]

Cry me a river

2 players opt out, one it is totally understandable, and it's the end of the freaking world. What if 5 or 10 opt out? If you are a true Uconn fan, you would look at this as an opportunity to see what we have for next year. A preview perhaps. Or see where we need to attack the portal.
I'll tell you what, our new coach would much rather see this than watch 2 guys who will never spend a second under his regime.

I for one would love to see if we have the potential QB for next year on the roster or not.

A lot of people will have to turn in their "true fan" badges.

 

[businesslawyer]

Ah, I don't know, maybe, if they get injured, a chance for a multi-million $ professional contract...

Would you be willing to risk foregoing life-changing wealth to play in a bowl game that doesn't honestly mean that much?

They both played hard and well at Florida Atlantic 3 weeks ago. I need someone to explain to me why that's a risk no one worries about and playing one additional game a month later is worth worrying about. Because I don't get it.

(And athletes can use the money they're getting and insure themselves against serious injury, but that's a topic for another day.)

 

[Huskyforlife]

Just heard both players will be skipping the Fenway/Wasabi bowl game.

Who starts at quarterback, and which other players won't be suiting up?

Where did you hear this?

 

[RedStickHusky]

I was born in the 1950s (late 50s, but still). I grew up with the rah-ray sis-boom-bah, win one for old Whatsamatta U attitude. Try as I might, I can't project those feelings onto today's athletes. I can, and mostly do, still feel the same way but everything is different for the athletes. I don't blame them, we made it a business, they're making business decisions. Maybe it's time to start rooting for Yale...

 

[metsfan2323]

They both played hard and well at Florida Atlantic 3 weeks ago. I need someone to explain to me why that's a risk no one worries about and playing one additional game a month later is worth worrying about. Because I don't get it.

(And athletes can use the money they're getting and insure themselves against serious injury, but that's a topic for another day.)

Speak for yourself, I'm sure Skyler Bell's family was concerned during the FAU game. Remember when Bosa opted out of the majority Ohio State's season when he knew he secured a top pick in the draft.

You ask what has changed? Have you been sleeping for a month?

 

[cohenzone]

cenAnd everyone wonders why Notre Dame isn’t going to a bowl. Why would you unless it’s the playoffs, they don’t mean squat any more and no kid looking to play next level would be dumb enough to participate and get hurt. Don’t blame them at all.

Yeah, except why play the game before the bowl game? You can get hurt on the first play of the season. College sports are pretty much a mess. Too easy to transfer, too easy to sit out with no consequence. UConn is especially vulnerable. No league and we aren’t ND.

 

[metsfan2323]

Yeah, except why play the game before the bowl game?

Opting out of bowl games has become normalized. Coaches are gone, players have entered the portal. A month goes by between games. It feels like two different seasons.

 

[B1GEast]

Don't know if Fagnano or Bell have agents, but a poor showing in a bowl game could potentially impact their draft status

With the coaching turnover, it probably just feels inconsistent. The possibility of playing in foul weather and taking a chance of getting hurt is also a risk.

I wish they were playing, but I understand their potential concerns

 

[tiger paw]

Hope they all get cut in NFL training camps.

 

[UConnJim]

Hope they all get cut in NFL training camps.

Crappy thing to say. They should do whatever they think is right for them and their futures.