UConn at Ohio State 2025

[kibblesnbits]

Jesus that could be an Ofer

If, by 2025, Army and Buffalo are not at least good chances for wins and Purdue and Syracuse aren't possible wins, then UConn football will be ready for last rites.

 

[bmayuc]

Don’t expect many good home games in 2025 because that away schedule is absolutely brutal. As much as I love P5 home and homes and yes they are sexy, we all want to win right?
At Syracuse
At Purdue
At Buffalo
At Army
At Ohio State
That’s just brutal. But I hope that home slate is easier.

ughhhh guys, the reason these are scheduled that far out is so that we have 5 years TO RECRUIT A FOOTBALL TEAM TO PLAY THEM.

Someone we sign this year will be a senior making their way into the horseshoe. That's the point.

"Hello recruit X, we went independent because we are willing to play anyone, anywhere, anytime. We are going to the horseshoe, we are going to ann arbor, we are going to ____. That's the culture we are building at UConn. Its unique in the entire country, bla blah blah. wouldn't you rather play that schedule than in the AAC. East Carolina isn't even a state!?"

C'mon. Its the entire idea of going indy. Its audacious, its daring, and it was really our only option so lets go!

 

[Slick]

Why? This kind of buy out game has always been available to us (at least since no one had to fear us winning it). We didn't do this often before because we didn't need to.

Look, I'm fine playing a game like this every so often, but it will only be important when and if we've rebounded to the point where we actually have a chance to win the game, as we did when we went to South Bend in '09 or Michigan in '10.

So good news? Sure. But actually change the equation as to whether we can survive and thrive as an Indy? Not even close.

If we stayed in the AAC our basketball brand was shot. The recruits we got for next year signed because they are excited we are in the Big East. In Football we were going no where in the AAC. Much more exciting with the schedule Benedict put together and we are already bringing in much better recruits for Football.

 

[uconnfan68]

This is another good get no doubt but keep in mind our home schedule can’t be Central Connecticut, Northern South Dakota, Middle Tennessee and Whatsamatter U with only road games against teams people care about. Somewhere along the line we need to get one or 2 name teams to play us at the Rent or it is going to get old fast. We seem to be able to get home/homes with mid level P5 teams and that’s good. Now we need somebody with a name to come here too.

Liked for Whatsamatter U... love Rocky and Bullwinkle with Fractured Fairy Tales.

 

[UC1995]

How can people possibly be b***ing about this?

They are Connecticut fans... it is part of their birthright to complain!

 

[cohenzone]

Independent is already more fun than anything the AAC could offer

Hopefully. It’s a low bar.

 

[businesslawyer]

If we stayed in the AAC our basketball brand was shot. The recruits we got for next year signed because they are excited we are in the Big East. In Football we were going no where in the AAC. Much more exciting with the schedule Benedict put together and we are already bringing in much better recruits for Football.

That's a lot of optimism based on ... well, very little actually. Basketball is a red herring -- no one is arguing the move wasn't good for basketball. But what I see is (justifiable) relief that we can even put schedules together in football being praised like we've accomplished something to justify the basketball move. As I said, I'm fine with this game. But taking a pay day that scores of bad teams could have been offered shouldn't in and of itself change anyone's mind as to whether football can survive as an independent.

 

[Brochacho]

42% of our scheduled games are vs P5 teams. I like Independence.

 

[HuskyBandDad]

The game will be on the Big Ten Network. SNY is irrelevant for road games.

No way. This will be FOX prime time Saturday

 

[bmayuc]

That's a lot of optimism based on ... well, very little actually. Basketball is a red herring -- no one is arguing the move wasn't good for basketball. But what I see is (justifiable) relief that we can even put schedules together in football being praised like we've accomplished something to justify the basketball move. As I said, I'm fine with this game. But taking a pay day that scores of bad teams could have been offered shouldn't in and of itself change anyone's mind as to whether football can survive as an independent.

The flaw in your argument, of course is that "scores of bad team" are not the choice of Michigan, Ohio State, and the other P5 schools. Do u not think every team in the AAC isn't trying to get these games?

We ARE landing these games, because we are an independent and have the flexibility of that status as well as a brand name that isn't ECU.

For all the crankys like bizlaw, just scheduling these games validates that the strategy was sound. The games being scheduled IS THE WIN. We are a godawful program that just went independent because our basketball program is our priority. These games show that there is life, and a path to viability, for this program. The games ARE the survival. If we were playing Liberty and UMass and like our big game was a road tilt with Kansas, we were dead. Scheduling the big boys IS the survival.

Until you can make that mental leap and understand how significant it is that our brand wasn't totally wrecked and new independent status was a boon, not an anchor to our prospects, u gonna be cranky

 

[buckley503]

The flaw in your argument, of course is that "scores of bad team" are not the choice of Michigan, Ohio State, and the other P5 schools. Do u not think every team in the AAC isn't trying to get these games?

We ARE landing these games, because we are an independent and have the flexibility of that status as well as a brand name that isn't ECU.

For all the crankys like bizlaw, just scheduling these games validates that the strategy was sound. The games being scheduled IS THE WIN. We are a godawful program that just went independent because our basketball program is our priority. These games show that there is life, and a path to viability, for this program. The games ARE the survival. If we were playing Liberty and UMass and like our big game was a road tilt with Kansas, we were dead. Scheduling the big boys IS the survival.

Until you can make that mental leap and understand how significant it is that our brand wasn't totally wrecked and new independent status was a boon, not an anchor to our prospects, u gonna be cranky

If I could like this a 100X, I would.
Those who can't get excited about this or look at it as a "well, but . . ." situation must be great at parties.

 

[billybud]

When the contract is away with no return...the number of teams willing to take that contract is diminished. It usually is a straight pay day opportunity. Teams that need the money and can't wangle a return game will take it.

It really is about the big guys buying a home opponent....

Nearly $200 million will be spent in 2019 on guarantee games, as they’re known in the industry. The bigger school pays a lesser opponent to guarantee a win. The highest payout this season is $1,937,500, which Auburn paid Tulane in Week 2 for a 24-6 victory.

When Miami of Ohio’s buses pull away from Ohio Stadium about 8 p.m., the Redhawks will have a $1.3 million check in hand. Altogether, Ohio State is shelling out more than $3 million to its three non-conference opponents. It might sound like a large sum of money, but for college football guarantee games, it’s par for the course.

These games with high profile teams are both an opportunity and a danger for the Huskies.

Play well and the world notices...get smacked down and you might join the cream puffs.

 

[Woof 101]

I attack nobody here just comments on the comments.

I'm honestly more excited that we've been successful in getting some home and homes with lower level p5's and upper level g5's (Purdue, Fresno State, etc) than I am with these buy games.

While I understand what you like and I am a Season ticket holders one also has to understand it's also about $$$$.
That game alone not only covers the season for travel but is a recruiting tool and a relationship development for football and other sports.

Somewhere along the line we need to get one or 2 name teams to play us at the Rent or it is going to get old fast.
Could not agree more, I am hanging in but the home schedules are not something that will draw the masses.

I don't get all the excitement. It's not that hard to get a buy game at a big program.
Me neither, you only have to buy a ticket to win millions in the lottery, why get excited if you win?
How about another ray of sunshine for a program that needs one?

Great. We are now officially a cupcake that plays for big dollars, in reward for showing up to get pounded.
Oh you of little faith. Lets see what a few years of development bring.

The game isn't for another 5 1/2 years.
BINGO! But stop with the Readers Digest print please.

 

[gtcam]

This is good for the program and recruiting down the road
What HS kid who can't play in the B10 not want to play at Ohio State?
For the life of me I still don't get all the hating on the AAC - for football - its a strong conference
Maybe its just the basketball only dolts making those comments

 

[kemba]

Don't see how anyone would be negative about this. If the only decent games we had scheduled were buy games it would be one thing, but that's not the case. We've literally done everything scheduling wise since going independent we said we were going to do and could hope to do.

 

[jdb50]

SNY is on the Clock! Get that TV deal done already.

Love the Earl Kelly handle Coach J. I went to games back in the day hoping he would find a way for us to win in the brutal old Big East. Why not play OSU? Go Huskies!

 

[Uconnalliance]

If, by 2025, Army and Buffalo are not at least good chances for wins and Purdue and Syracuse aren't possible wins, then UConn football will be ready for last rites.

Better get the Bible ready

 

[Husky68]

Don’t expect many good home games in 2025 because that away schedule is absolutely brutal. As much as I love P5 home and homes and yes they are sexy, we all want to win right?
At Syracuse
At Purdue
At Buffalo
At Army
At Ohio State
That’s just brutal. But I hope that home slate is easier.

Win and a legit shot at playoffs, can't say that about AAC schedule.

 

[BugsyCT]

I'd rather UConn get destroyed at Columbus and Ann Arbor in front of 100k (with a nice payout) than get destroyed by Memphis and Temple in front of 10k by around the same score. Silver lining to indy life.

 

[BlueDogs]

As a naysayer on the NBE move, I have to admit AD Dave worked overtime to pull our fannies out of the fire at least on scheduling. Home schedule has me concerned, but the overall quality of opponent is very encouraging. I was expecting a bunch of MAC, C-USA and Sun Belt teams, which would have been certain death.

 

[FroginCT]

Most teams get plastered by OSU. The seniors that will play for UConn in that game graduate high school next year.

If you know you have a chance to play OSU your senior year and you have offers from another AAC or MAC school deos this help or hurt UConn's chances? What if you are an underrated FB player from D'D'Oh?

There is a lot more to this than a paycheck and a potential beat down. Who knows if OSU will still be that OSU once Meyer's recruits leave.

This is a good $$$ move for UConn, and a good road trip. As for the chance that OSU is down in 5 years, it is possible but OSU has won 70% of its games every decade since 1940.

 

[FroginCT]

College Football fan- “Playing at OSU? Sign me up! Awesome experience. Let’s start planning”
Slasher/Classic Connecticut Resident - “You mean I have to drive across the CT river for something? That sucks, I’m not doing that.”

As of today, fly direct from BDL to CLE or CVG and drive 2 hours.

 

[FroginCT]

As a naysayer on the NBE move, I have to admit AD Dave worked overtime to pull our fannies out of the fire at least on scheduling. Home schedule has me concerned, but the overall quality of opponent is very encouraging. I was expecting a bunch of MAC, C-USA and Sun Belt teams, which would have been certain death.

Agree. My biggest "beef" is that the home schedule needs to get better over time.

 

[Watchdog]

Yeah this thread is about Ohio State, but whenever these announcements come out I am compelled to dump in my latest machination to fill that four game hole we have in 2021.

So my new idea (and I acknowledge there are hundreds of possibilities) to fill those four missing games for 2021. Lets break up the 9/18 Coastal Carolina at Buffalo game. Coastal can come here 10/16 and we can go to Buffalo on 10/2. Add the Wyoming home game as 11/7 and push Holy Cross to 11/1. This would leave us with just one more game to pencil with open dates of 9/27, 10/30 and 11/27 to choose from....and hopefully you can get it with a new H&H - although I can't find any FBS programs with open dates for 2021.

The longer we wait on fixing the 2021 hole the more I think it might be tied to a November game at Yankee with a marquee opponent (how about BYU?).

Our renewed four game series with Buffalo doesn't start until 2024. I can't imagine Coastal Carolina views a visit to Buffalo to be any different than a visit to UConn. Buffalo gets us for a replacement which is a decent swap.

Coastal Carolina Football Schedule | Future Schedules

View the Coastal Carolina football schedule for the 2026 season, plus future schedules and opponents at FBSchedules.com.

fbschedules.com

Nice to have a thinking man on the Yard!

 

[Coach J]

Love the Earl Kelly handle Coach J. I went to games back in the day hoping he would find a way for us to win in the brutal old Big East. Why not play OSU? Go Huskies!

Me too, I wore #10 whenever I could and now my kid wears it in high school. Kelly's battles with Earl the Pearl Washington were epic.

 

[Robertelamin]

I will wear the badge proudly. Going independent will prove to be a death sentence for this program. Signing a deal to get destroyed by Ohio State doesn’t change my opinion.

The program has been dead for a decade. Have you not noticed?

 

[EROCK CONN]

I went to Columbus in the early 80's...FSU signed to play in Columbus in back to back years....was a great trip and a good time...

No big pay day...just part of a plan to become seen as a big boy....Bobby was known as "King of the Road" for his willingness to play multiple games at Michigan, Ohio State, LSU, Nebraska, etc without return.

In October of 1981...FSU played @ Nebraska, @ Ohio State, @ Notre Dame, and @ Pitt....

If UConn plays well...it could be a springboard for recruiting.

Bowden followed the ND did when building their programs - same path that Miami took.

 

[freescooter]

College Football fan- “Playing at OSU? Sign me up! Awesome experience. Let’s start planning”
Slasher/Classic Connecticut Resident - “You mean I have to drive across the CT river for something? That sucks, I’m not doing that.”

Well you know, not everyone has a current passport. You need one to go from Manchester to Meriden.

 

[Greedo]

Thank God we didn't get a Big 10 invite. Some posters here would be hiding under their sheets every game.

 

[billybud]

Thank God we didn't get a Big 10 invite. Some posters here would be hiding under their sheets every game.

Just as a guess...UConn, in the Big Ten, might be between an Indiana (.299 win rate over last 40 yrs) and a Purdue (.426 win rate) in conference wins. Northwestern is .348, Illinois is .402., Minnesota .369.

At any rate...having a winning record in conference would not come easily.