Not an excuse, but 19-3.

[UConnJim]

19-3. That is the current record of our first 5 opponents. In fact, Memphis is the first game that UConn will play in which the other team is not undefeated.

Are the other teams we have played good?

According to the Sagarin ratings, UConn has faced the 11th toughest schedule so far this year. This is significantly different from the strength of schedule that UConn has faced in the past. Here are the annual Sagarin rankings of UConn's schedule:

2018 11
2017 70
2016 82
2015 71
2014 99
2013 69
2012 69
2011 64
2010 65
2009 34
2008 53
2007 61
2006 22

What about the other team's offense?

Here are the FBS ratings for total offense:

3. UCF
8. Boise St.
26. Syracuse
31. Cincinnati

Rest of the schedule:

10. Memphis
37. USF
73. UMass
84. Tulsa
104. SMU
43. ECU
105. Temple

The last 7 games on the schedule should be easier than the first 5, but the next 2 games, Memphis and USF, should be the toughest games remaining on the schedule.

19-3 is not an excuse, but the schedule has been hard and the opponents have all had strong offenses that hurts due to UConn's inexperience on defense. Based on the depth and experience on the team, this was too tough of a schedule to start the season. UConn should have better opportunities to win games later in the season and it will be interesting to see how much the team improves as the season progresses.

 

[Dooley]

Nothing more humbling to these FR to play them against this schedule and realize that they're completely overmatched in every facet of the game. Could go two ways for the player:

1. they quit, not used to the adversity;
2. they bust their tails when they realize they are no longer the best player on the field anymore.

I think Edsall is using the front half schedule adversity to find "his" guys. His guys have always been the guys who are self-motivated and willing to work. We'll see if any diamonds in the rough will emerge next year and beyond.

 

[noeynox]

Definitely been a baptism by fire. I feel bad for these kids. They're literally kids playing against men at times. Add to the fact that Edsall has said many don't know how to play yet, and we get what we've seen.

 

[whaler11]

Perfectly reasonable to be 1-4 against that schedule. It’s more the fact every team could lay 80 on them if they tried that is the issue.

 

[Palatine]

If that includes the games against us that makes them 15-2.

 

[uconnphil2016]

Perfectly reasonable to be 1-4 against that schedule. It’s more the fact every team could lay 80 on them if they tried that is the issue.

Agreed. The issue isn’t that we’ve lost, it’s how terrifyingly lopsided each of the games have been. We’ve never witnessed football this bad

 

[Hornet22]

Agreed. The issue isn’t that we’ve lost, it’s how terrifyingly lopsided each of the games have been. We’ve never witnessed football this bad

Never played with a roster like this. Ever.
So not really an issue rather it’s the inevitable

 

[freescooter]

This is comparable to 2000-01. A big difference is that today there is more scoring and more offense that at that time. Can’t find the statistics off the top but I’ve seen them and ave points scored is way up compared with the early 2000s. Back then if you gave up 35 it was a disaster and you probably got blown out. Now it’s an average Saturday and you have a good chance you’ll win by a couple of scores.

 

[BugsyCT]

On the upside, our D should be much better in 2-3 years. These guys will have gone through the worst of the worst together by the time they’re seniors.

 

[huskyinfl]

How much does the other teams ranking change after they play us?

 

[Devland]

Tough schedule. But UConn didn't have much leeway here. Cinci and UCF were league games scheduled by the league. Boise ST and Syracuse were both road second halves of home and homes scheduled well before this year.