Dooley
Done with U-con athletics
- Joined
- Oct 7, 2012
- Messages
- 9,960
- Reaction Score
- 32,818
Here it is: I've had the same gut feeling for two weeks that I had for the week leading up to the ECU game. I've tried to shake it. I've tried to convince myself I'm just being a homer. But truth is, I like our chances. A lot. It doesn't make sense - Houston is, by far, the best team we will play all season. But here we go...
1. It's a trap! Our game is perfectly sandwiched between 3 difficult opponents - Cinci, Memphis and Navy. This is a long travel game for them and into elements that they are not all that accustomed to (although I do wish it was about 10-15 degrees colder). Meanwhile, this is the BIGGEST game for our team - not only this season, but for the past 5 seasons. Our players and fans feel it. We might have an early energy edge;
2. backup QB effect. We have traditionally struggled with QBs who are mobile and dangerous with their legs. Possibly taking that element out of Houston's offense actually plays better to our defensive strength. Our secondary has been EXCELLENT in the last few games. Both Summers and Williams have emerged as good cover guys, Obi has played some of his best football as a Husky, and Adams has steadied himself after struggling early. Getting Adeyemi back from injury last week and playing on Senior Day will hopefully generate some pressure on their pocket QB. If we can cover their dump offs, we can contain them;
3. 3 FR OL. No matter how many people actually show up tomorrow, one thing is for certain: the Rent can generate some decent crowd noise. If you combine that with our DL play, which is leaps and bounds better than Memphis' DL, then this could be a tough day on the Freshmen;
4. Opportunistic Cougs. This is a team that generates quite a bit of its offensive production from turnovers. If we put the ball on the ground or BS is inaccurate and we turn it over a few times tomorrow, we will lose by multiple TDs. However, if we keep it clean, we can hang. Our offense has been pretty good at home - we've outgained every opponent but one (Navy, but only a -18 yard differential) at home and if we can do the same tomorrow, we will be able to hang;
5. Rentschler Field. Playing for the first time here, it will have an affect on the Cougars. First of all, kickers always seem to struggle here. How many times have we heard opponents cite lighting and weather as issues in our stadium? The turf is natural November and won't provide the same traction for their team speed. Our stadium has plenty of quirks that take some time to adjust to. For example, they will warm up during the day but play the second half under the lights. We all know where the "dark pockets" are, but will they? You combine that with dropping temps, and it's New England football at its finest.
I don't think we will win a shootout. I also don't think we will win some sort of defensive struggle. But I do think we will win. And yes, I am a Homer and damn proud of it!
Dogs 27
Cats 21
U-C-O-N-N UCONN UCONN UCONN!
1. It's a trap! Our game is perfectly sandwiched between 3 difficult opponents - Cinci, Memphis and Navy. This is a long travel game for them and into elements that they are not all that accustomed to (although I do wish it was about 10-15 degrees colder). Meanwhile, this is the BIGGEST game for our team - not only this season, but for the past 5 seasons. Our players and fans feel it. We might have an early energy edge;
2. backup QB effect. We have traditionally struggled with QBs who are mobile and dangerous with their legs. Possibly taking that element out of Houston's offense actually plays better to our defensive strength. Our secondary has been EXCELLENT in the last few games. Both Summers and Williams have emerged as good cover guys, Obi has played some of his best football as a Husky, and Adams has steadied himself after struggling early. Getting Adeyemi back from injury last week and playing on Senior Day will hopefully generate some pressure on their pocket QB. If we can cover their dump offs, we can contain them;
3. 3 FR OL. No matter how many people actually show up tomorrow, one thing is for certain: the Rent can generate some decent crowd noise. If you combine that with our DL play, which is leaps and bounds better than Memphis' DL, then this could be a tough day on the Freshmen;
4. Opportunistic Cougs. This is a team that generates quite a bit of its offensive production from turnovers. If we put the ball on the ground or BS is inaccurate and we turn it over a few times tomorrow, we will lose by multiple TDs. However, if we keep it clean, we can hang. Our offense has been pretty good at home - we've outgained every opponent but one (Navy, but only a -18 yard differential) at home and if we can do the same tomorrow, we will be able to hang;
5. Rentschler Field. Playing for the first time here, it will have an affect on the Cougars. First of all, kickers always seem to struggle here. How many times have we heard opponents cite lighting and weather as issues in our stadium? The turf is natural November and won't provide the same traction for their team speed. Our stadium has plenty of quirks that take some time to adjust to. For example, they will warm up during the day but play the second half under the lights. We all know where the "dark pockets" are, but will they? You combine that with dropping temps, and it's New England football at its finest.
I don't think we will win a shootout. I also don't think we will win some sort of defensive struggle. But I do think we will win. And yes, I am a Homer and damn proud of it!
Dogs 27
Cats 21
U-C-O-N-N UCONN UCONN UCONN!
