UConn Football Class of 2022 NLI Early Signing Day Thread/Info (12/15/21>12/17/21)

[Husky68]

Next year's improvements are going to come from coaching staff improvements and stability, added experience across the board, getting a couple of WR's back from injuries, and maybe a surprise from one or two of the incoming players (I think Rosa could do that as a slot receiver, hopefully Guidone, and maybe one of the DL's). Next year won't be a drastic improvement but it could be a 3 or 4 win season, which would be a good first step.

Isn't 3 or 4 wins a drastic improvement over 1 win?

 

[Husky68]

You need to manage your expectations. Of course we COULD recruit a game changer or two. But best not to expect that.

Hark back to the bigger faster stronger days of August and recall the change in tone of those gushing about getting to six wins as soon as the Fresno two deep came out. It was PALPABLE and profound. Holy excrement, these guys are all redshirt juniors, seniors, and grads. And look at their SIZE. How the hell is UConn gonna compete with THIS team. Just to paraphrase some of the comments.

My recommendation is to take off the rose colored glasses, set realistic expectations, and be head over heels surprised and excited if they are exceeded. Four wins is not a reasonable expectation.

Says you. The crap that was UConn this year was close to 0 wins but almost as close to 3. And without the non Spanos UMess game farts could have stolen another win.

UMass and Central - I'm putting UConn as winners.
FIU was 1-11 this year - I'm putting UConn as winners.
Ball State lost to Wyoming 45-12; Utah State lost to Wyoming 44-17 - UConn wins one of these.
Other 7 games UConn pulls out a win (look out Michigan).

That's 5 wins; give UConn a one game "how did we play that bad" game among those 5 and that is still 4 wins.

My recommendation is you keep your "realistic" expectations and I'll keep mine.

 

[Jimdish255]

There's probably more than a few uncommitted guys out there that we're talking to that could help us. I'd agree it would be nice to get a couple of experienced lineman on both sides but its possible 1 quality OL and one DL would help tremendously from where we are now. Younger guys could fill the depth chart behind them. Linebacking is still thin and another plug n play athlete there would be very helpful. Coaches have been operating on a condensed timetable and are probably still branching out and constantly evaluating where we are. Looking forward to these next weeks knowing whoever comes here won't be shortchanged by a staff with training wheels slowing them down.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

Isn't 3 or 4 wins a drastic improvement over 1 win?

My point is that we probably should have won a couple more games this year and so to think that overnight we become drastically better (i.e. like a 6 or 7 win team) is unrealistic, especially given the 2022 schedule.

 

[RSTuthill]

Says you. The crap that was UConn this year was close to 0 wins but almost as close to 3. And without the non Spanos UMess game farts could have stolen another win.

UMass and Central - I'm putting UConn as winners.
FIU was 1-11 this year - I'm putting UConn as winners.
Ball State lost to Wyoming 45-12; Utah State lost to Wyoming 44-17 - UConn wins one of these.
Other 7 games UConn pulls out a win (look out Michigan).

That's 5 wins; give UConn a one game "how did we play that bad" game among those 5 and that is still 4 wins.

My recommendation is you keep your "realistic" expectations and I'll keep mine.

Ah, the snark. A 1968 grad makes his points and proves once again that the learning process sometimes stops upon commencement.

 

[SubbaBub]

I think we are looking at 3-5 wins.

I'd sign for 5 right now. I wouldn't even care which 5. But, to say we have a tough schedule is silly. It's tough for a 100+ level team. It's not tough for a 60-70 ranked team. 60-70 is bowl eligible level and while we are certainly not that, I have a hard time swallowing that there is a huge difference in athleticism between team 70 and team 100. 130 is another story but I think there is less difference between 100 and 130. Committment, culture (coaching) and execution should next you at least an upset or two.

CCSU, UMass, FIU and Ball State (mid-level MAC) team have to be must wins. Army (again, execution) and pick off Cuse is the most likely path to 5-6. I'm all in on this concept of critical mass in terms of filling a couple gaping holes in the roster and a competent scheme would make a huge difference.

Then again, I can easily see us holding on against CCSU and FIU and winning a jump ball with UMass for a 3 win season. Crap, Mora has a lot of work to do.

 

[CTFAN4LIFE]

I'd sign for 5 right now. I wouldn't even care which 5. But, to say we have a tough schedule is silly. It's tough for a 100+ level team. It's not tough for a 60-70 ranked team. 60-70 is bowl eligible level and while we are certainly not that, I have a hard time swallowing that there is a huge difference in athleticism between team 70 and team 100. 130 is another story but I think there is less difference between 100 and 130. Committment, culture (coaching) and execution should next you at least an upset or two.

CCSU, UMass, FIU and Ball State (mid-level MAC) team have to be must wins. Army (again, execution) and pick off Cuse is the most likely path to 5-6. I'm all in on this concept of critical mass in terms of filling a couple gaping holes in the roster and a competent scheme would make a huge difference.

Then again, I can easily see us holding on against CCSU and FIU and winning a jump ball with UMass for a 3 win season. Crap, Mora has a lot of work to do.

Generally agree with you. Yes, when you're ranked 130 and you don't really have an incumbent/solid answer at QB then our schedule is somewhat difficult. Even when we were in the 50-75 strength range Army is no picnic - just because of their unique offense. So, 3 wins would be my minimum and I'd be frustrated as heck, 4 would be nice, and 5 would be really nice for JM's first year.

 

[LBird33]

Ah, the snark. A 1968 grad makes his points and proves once again that the learning process sometimes stops upon commencement.

Ha I stopped learning after my sophomore year during the blizzard of 1892. No biggie