Next Two Weekends

[RSTuthill]

UConn is entering its most significant fortnight of the season. Film analysis commenced today and game prep for UMass tomorrow. They are playing for shreds of dignity now. What do you think will happen? Will they continue to improve or will they regress and play down to the level of competition with disastrous results? Even one loss would be further humiliation.

Full disclosure: I predict with my vote that they will get it done.

 

[HuskyDogArt]

I believe that we will beat UMass and Yale. This week, SK will be working with the starters and I think the players will get behind him.

 

[UCONNRPh]

We saw what Mazzone did with TP in one short week, Mazzone will have one full week to build the offense around SK style.

 

[Chin Diesel]

For some reason when I see the competency of how the staff was quickly able to find a package of okays for TP, I also get the feeling they were competent enough to start building a package for SK prior to SK being inserted in to the game on Saturday night.
That's the beauty of a good staff. You build for the primary plan, you build a contingency and a contingency for the contingency.
As the first few have said I think this week of practice is executing and practicing SK's plays and refining them moreso than developing them.

 

[RSTuthill]

For some reason when I see the competency of how the staff was quickly able to find a package of okays for TP, I also get the feeling they were competent enough to start building a package for SK prior to SK being inserted in to the game on Saturday night.
That's the beauty of a good staff. You build for the primary plan, you build a contingency and a contingency for the contingency.
As the first few have said I think this week of practice is executing and practicing SK's plays and refining them moreso than developing them.

I like your points, but I have been meaning to ask this question. Do we absolutely without question know that Mazzone is still on the payroll? I did not see the TV broadcast. Was he spotted standing back from the sideline somewhere? Or did I miss a memo?

 

[ScottVib]

Most analysts stand away from the players to make it clear that they are not directly coaching/communicating with the players (which would be a violation).

 

[RSTuthill]

Most analysts stand away from the players to make it clear that they are not directly coaching/communicating with the players (which would be a violation).

Understood. But they are also sometimes visible in the background. I am just asking if we can confirm that he is still on the payroll.

 

[HuskyAlum012]

If you have watched any part of the last 3 games, there is a very very clear distinction of someone other than Giufre calling the shots/play calls. It's a completely different gameplan/playcalling. From a 1990's style playcalling to something you should see in 2021.

 

[huskymedic]

I like your points, but I have been meaning to ask this question. Do we absolutely without question know that Mazzone is still on the payroll? I did not see the TV broadcast. Was he spotted standing back from the sideline somewhere? Or did I miss a memo?

Most analysts stand away from the players to make it clear that they are not directly coaching/communicating with the players (which would be a violation).

Understood. But they are also sometimes visible in the background. I am just asking if we can confirm that he is still on the payroll.

He’s usually within earshot/eyesight of Spanos on the sidelines.

 

[RSTuthill]

If you have watched any part of the last 3 games, there is a very very clear distinction of someone other than Giufre calling the shots/play calls. It's a completely different gameplan/playcalling. From a 1990's style playcalling to something you should see in 2021.

The reason I asked ia that what you describe can happen in one of two ways. Mazzone is taking a fairly active continued role or Giufre is now unchained.

 

[SubbaBub]

2-0 because it costs me nothing and would make me happy.

 

[raf46]

2-0 because it costs me nothing and would make me happy.

Do not sleep on Yale. They are better than
HC and UMASS.

 

[Uconnalliance]

Do not sleep on Yale. They are better than
HC and UMASS.

Should be a really good game, maybe get that series goin again, Yale’s run game is waiting to unleash on someone

 

[ShakyTheMohel]

Do not sleep on Yale. They are better than
HC and UMASS.

Didn't HC beat Yale at Yale this year?

 

[gopher2]

Didn't HC beat Yale at Yale this year?

Yep. Yale's two wins have come against Lehigh, an horrifically bad FCS team this year, and 0-3 Cornell,

 

[RSTuthill]

The optimists among us are thinking a win against UMass is gonna get UConn rolling with confidence. With confidence and momentum, they will roll over Yale, even if Yale are better than HC (despite losing to them).

 

[ScottVib]

The reason I asked ia that what you describe can happen in one of two ways. Mazzone is taking a fairly active continued role or Giufre is now unchained.

It could be both. Given the dramatic change... I'd assume that Giufre is no longer really designing the offensive game-plan. That's Mazzone. The final person calling in the plays is one of the hold-overs (either Giufre or Moyseenko), just with a script that calls for much more innovation (despite the fact that the Inside Zone, the bane of UConn fan's existence in Edsall's offense still features heavily, it's no longer a given on first down); and probably a lot of guidance and coaching between series about what is working or where to go next.

 

[RSTuthill]

It could be both. Given the dramatic change... I'd assume that Giufre is no longer really designing the offensive game-plan. That's Mazzone. The final person calling in the plays is one of the hold-overs (either Giufre or Moyseenko), just with a script that calls for much more innovation (despite the fact that the Inside Zone, the bane of UConn fan's existence in Edsall's offense still features heavily, it's no longer a given on first down); and probably a lot of guidance and coaching between series about what is working or where to go next.

Baby steps. (Almost tore my hair out when they sent Mensah up the gut on fourth down in the third quarter.)

 

[mymustang]

Yale was beaten by Holy Cross. They had one 75 yard pass play but besides that both teams were fairly even on passing yardage. And Holy Cross outgained them by 100 yards on the ground. Yale has beaten two winless teams, one of which has yet to score a touchdown after 5 games. If they go to Dartmouth this week and win that will be a different story

 

[RSTuthill]

Yale was beaten by Holy Cross. They had one 75 yard pass play but besides that both teams were fairly even on passing yardage. And Holy Cross outgained them by 100 yards on the ground. Yale has beaten two winless teams, one of which has yet to score a touchdown after 5 games. If they go to Dartmouth this week and win that will be a different story

I would be surprised in Yale beats Dartmouth. But either way, Yale hould be a good test. If UConn win two in a row, then MTSU should be feasible.

 

[Nostical]

I say we win both outings and then only need one more to cover the over 2.5 wins for the year. Buckle up for the ride.

 

[HuskiesFan1014]

He’s usually within earshot/eyesight of Spanos on the sidelines.

I went back through my DVR recording of the game, scanning the sidelines at every chance. Didn't see Mazzone once. I've seen him there, nearby Spanos, at other games. Hmmmm.

 

[Hoophound]

He was with him on the sideline at the Wyoming or Vandy game, i rewatched both yesterday and saw him talking to Spanos. The announcers even mentioned him. Not sure which game it was but I was thinking Vandy because I thought it occurred as they transitioned to SK coming in.

 

[LoyalFanCT]

I would be careful about underestimating Yale. The guys on that team know that Yale used to play UConn each year. They may see us as an in-state rival and that could motivate them to win, similar to the way Yale views Harvard or Princeton.

 

[RSTuthill]

I would be careful about underestimating Yale. The guys on that team know that Yale used to play UConn each year. They may see us as an in-state rival and that could motivate them to win, similar to the way Yale views Harvard or Princeton.

Not a coincidence that the Yale game is homecoming. I expect to see my acquaintances from that 1965 team.

 

[HuskiesFan1014]

He was with him on the sideline at the Wyoming or Vandy game, i rewatched both yesterday and saw him talking to Spanos. The announcers even mentioned him. Not sure which game it was but I was thinking Vandy because I thought it occurred as they transitioned to SK coming in.

Just went back again from 8 minute mark of first quarter (before TP's injury) and didn't see it again. Think it was the Wyoming game...I remember that, too.