Vandy Part II - Official UCONN / Vandy Prediction Thread

[EdgewoodNHV]

I think we'll struggle offensively through the air and it'll take until the second half to really get the ground game going, with both Shoemate and McCombs putting in good games. It'll be a tough test, but I think our defense is just a little too good to lose this one.

UConn 23, Vanderbilt 13

 

[Echo Hawk]

UConn 20 - Vanderbilt 19

 

[Juan Zapata]

Special teams and defense both add to the scoring.

UConn 31 - Vandy 17

 

[UConn9604]

By all reports, there is no one in the south with less of a home field advantage than Vanderbilt. They don't have many fans, and the fans they have are tempered in enthusiasm having been conditioned to losing.

I'd have to disagree -- I went down to the Duke game in 2007 and their "scene" was downright pathetic. We showed up about 4-5 hours early and sat around for 30 minutes waiting for the parking staff to show up to even open the gates. It was as if we had to remind them that there was a football game that day. Then, once we entered the lot, we were the only tailgaters there for at least an hour, and even then, the first few people to join us were Donald Brown's and Alex LaMagdelaine's parents. It was that bad.

But, yes, I'd say that Vanderbilt's fans can't be much better. At least Vanderbilt plays in the SEC and occasionally produces NFL talent.

Connecticut 31, Vanderbilt 13. Teggart is perfect and the defense is almost perfect; Shoemate and McCombs combine for 150 yards rushing, and one of the three QBs steps up and takes the starting role against Iowa State with a solid performance.

 

[CrazyVandyFan]

I'd have to disagree -- I went down to the Duke game in 2007 and their "scene" was downright pathetic. We showed up about 4-5 hours early and sat around for 30 minutes waiting for the parking staff to show up to even open the gates. It was as if we had to remind them that there was a football game that day. Then, once we entered the lot, we were the only tailgaters there for at least an hour, and even then, the first few people to join us were Donald Brown's and Alex LaMagdelaine's parents. It was that bad.

But, yes, I'd say that Vanderbilt's fans can't be much better. At least Vanderbilt plays in the SEC and occasionally produces NFL talent.

Connecticut 31, Vanderbilt 13. Teggart is perfect and the defense is almost perfect; Shoemate and McCombs combine for 150 yards rushing, and one of the three QBs steps up and takes the starting role against Iowa State with a solid performance.

For the record, our fans roll up and smoke both Duke and Wake Forests' fans. That said, we are small and we are quiet, but we tailgate and our uniforms look good.

http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/odds/las-vegas/

Above is a link to vegasinsider which has Vandy anywhere from a -1.5-2.5 favorite in this game. What does that mean, absolutely nothing, but I was surprised to see 100% of UConn fans predicting a victory this Saturday.

Y'all 24
You Guys 27

 

[Excalibur]

UConn 20, Vandy 17.

 

[Dann]

uconn- 31
vandy-16

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

For the record, our fans roll up and smoke both Duke and Wake Forests' fans. That said, we are small and we are quiet, but we tailgate and our uniforms look good.

http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/odds/las-vegas/

Above is a link to vegasinsider which has Vandy anywhere from a -1.5-2.5 favorite in this game. What does that mean, absolutely nothing, but I was surprised to see 100% of UConn fans predicting a victory this Saturday.

Y'all 24
You Guys 27

The game is pretty much a toss up. I would expect 95% from both fanbases to pick their team to win tomorrow night.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

I'd have to disagree -- I went down to the Duke game in 2007 and their "scene" was downright pathetic. We showed up about 4-5 hours early and sat around for 30 minutes waiting for the parking staff to show up to even open the gates. It was as if we had to remind them that there was a football game that day. Then, once we entered the lot, we were the only tailgaters there for at least an hour, and even then, the first few people to join us were Donald Brown's and Alex LaMagdelaine's parents. It was that bad.

But, yes, I'd say that Vanderbilt's fans can't be much better. At least Vanderbilt plays in the SEC and occasionally produces NFL talent.

Connecticut 31, Vanderbilt 13. Teggart is perfect and the defense is almost perfect; Shoemate and McCombs combine for 150 yards rushing, and one of the three QBs steps up and takes the starting role against Iowa State with a solid performance.

The funniest part of that Duke game was while leaving (the tailgating was going full force by then) many Duke fans made comments to the effect of "if we really had a good football team we would have beaten them by a lot more".

 

[businesslawyer]

Someone much smarter than I will have to explain why this is viewed as a toss up game.

1. We beat them fairly easily last year, at a time when we were playing really, really, really bad football.

2. While I understand the many questions we have, they have them to. What they don't have is the quality of players up and down the roster on both sides of the line of scrimmage that we do. Or the habit of winning games, as opposed to losing them.

3. We almost beat them in Nashville with a much, much less talented roster Orlovsky's sophomore year. Yes, we had Dan Orlovsky, but they had Jay Cutler. May of these players have beaten a much better SEC team in Birmingham. Yes, you never take a road game against a BCS opponent for granted, but our road win at Baylor was against a much better team than this. And it's not like we haven't won at Wake, Duke and Indiana as well.

If I were a betting man, I would have a lot of money on this game. A lot. I don't know whether we win by a lot or a little. Depends on whether our offense can get anything going. Whether our team is good or not is still a very open question. But we are a materially better team than Vanderbilt. We shut their offense down and win the special teams battle. That's 2 out of 3 even if our offense isn't good.

Same outcome as the civil war. Don't care about the score.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Clearly, nobody is smarter than you BL.

 

[CrazyVandyFan]

Someone much smarter than I will have to explain why this is viewed as a toss up game.

1. We beat them fairly easily last year, at a time when we were playing really, really, really bad football.

2. While I understand the many questions we have, they have them to. What they don't have is the quality of players up and down the roster on both sides of the line of scrimmage that we do. Or the habit of winning games, as opposed to losing them.

3. We almost beat them in Nashville with a much, much less talented roster Orlovsky's sophomore year. Yes, we had Dan Orlovsky, but they had Jay Cutler. May of these players have beaten a much better SEC team in Birmingham. Yes, you never take a road game against a BCS opponent for granted, but our road win at Baylor was against a much better team than this. And it's not like we haven't won at Wake, Duke and Indiana as well.

If I were a betting man, I would have a lot of money on this game. A lot. I don't know whether we win by a lot or a little. Depends on whether our offense can get anything going. Whether our team is good or not is still a very open question. But we are a materially better team than Vanderbilt. We shut their offense down and win the special teams battle. That's 2 out of 3 even if our offense isn't good.

Same outcome as the civil war. Don't care about the score.

Wow, so we've found the ignorant ass.

Do a little research on any of the recruiting sites and get back to me on the talent appraisal.

 

[businesslawyer]

Ha. Tell that to my family at dinner. And then duck. (Directed at Jimmy -- not Crazy Vandy fan).

Here is how you evaluate talent. You watch players make plays or fail to make plays while they are in college. And then, for good measure, you see if they get drafted. Here is how you don't evaluate talent -- log on to Rivals and look for a number.

 

[Jimmy Serrano]

Wow, so we've found the ignorant ass.

Do a little research on any of the recruiting sites and get back to me on the talent appraisal.

Recruiting sites now trump on the field direct competition. Good one.

 

[CrazyVandyFan]

Recruiting sites now trump on the field direct competition. Good one.

I hear ya, but to claim UConn has much more talent is just an ignorant opinion. You've had better coaching by far and may have better talent, but to suggest there is some large gap shows a complete lack of knowledge of your opponent.

 

[businesslawyer]

I hear ya, but to claim UConn has much more talent is just an ignorant opinion. You've had better coaching by far and may have better talent, but to suggest there is some large gap shows a complete lack of knowledge of your opponent.

Nope. What it shows is I've watched both teams play. We have had better coaching than you (please don't tell that to the people here) but the difference between our programs recent track records goes far beyond that. Good players win games. Not as good players lose them. The only thing that makes you a good player is helping your team win. What Rivals thought of you as a 16 year old does not. Not one block will be missed Saturday night, or one long return broken, because of how you played in a high school game four years ago.

 

[BlueMAB]

Wow, so we've found the ignorant ass.

Do a little research on any of the recruiting sites and get back to me on the talent appraisal.

Check out UConn's recruiting rankings going back to 2003 on any of the sites. We're basically never higher than 5th or 6th, and usually around 7th or 8th in the Big East. Since 2004 we've won 2 conference championships and been to 5 bowl games.

The recruiting rankings will tell you that UConn shouldn't be able to compete for championships in the Big East. The results on the field show that if you believe the recruiting rankings are accurate, then you are the ignorant ass.

 

[CrazyVandyFan]

Nope. What it shows is I've watched both teams play. We have had better coaching than you (please don't tell that to the people here) but the difference between our programs recent track records goes far beyond that. Good players win games. Not as good players lose them. The only thing that makes you a good player is helping your team win. What Rivals thought of you as a 16 year old does not. Not one block will be missed Saturday night, or one long return broken, because of how you played in a high school game four years ago.

I'm not a recruiting nut, but your claim makes you look either ignorant or like typical fan guy (over appraials of one's own talent and discount of opposition's). What you're saying is that last year's team won more that Vandy's team, but don't confuse that for the actual talent on the field. Those are two different things. The kid we faced that plays wide receiver for Elon last week hasn't won very much, but he'll be on an NFL roster (and likely a high rd pick). Aarom Mellette is his name and he's talented as hell (11 catches for 180 against us). We have 4-5 kids that will be drafted (maybe more) this April and yes, they are talented, but we have had terrible coaching, a brutal schedule and a ton of injuries so we haven't won very much. There is plenty of talent on VU's roster but to you, unless you've won, you have no talent, right?

 

[BlueMAB]

The talent gap between your OL and our DL seems to be huge, and that is why we win this game, IMO.

 

[businesslawyer]

I'm not a recruiting nut, but your claim makes you look either ignorant or like typical fan guy (over appraials of one's own talent and discount of opposition's). What you're saying is that last year's team won more that Vandy's team, but don't confuse that for the actual talent on the field. Those are two different things. The kid we faced that plays wide receiver for Elon last week hasn't won very much, but he'll be on an NFL roster (and likely a high rd pick). Aarom Mellette is his name and he's talented as hell (11 catches for 180 against us). We have 4-5 kids that will be drafted (maybe more) this April and yes, they are talented, but we have had terrible coaching, a brutal schedule and a ton of injuries so we haven't won very much. There is plenty of talent on VU's roster but to you, unless you've won, you have no talent, right?

I'm trying to be polite (or was) but can you read? I did not say you had no talent on your roster. I said you don't have as much as we do. Your belief that one can't tell overall talent by how well a team does on the field is, frankly, dumb.

have a nice day. I have a lot of respect for Vanderbilt as an institution, and for the players who struggle through the disadvantages they face in the SEC while trying to actually learn things. But now I'm much less sympathetic to its fanbase so let me be clear -- you guys suck. You are a bad football team. Are almost all the time and will continue to be almost all the time. I don't know that we are a good football team, but I do know we're better than you.

Does that help?

 

[freescooter]

I'm not thrilled with this game. We continue to have many large question marks...the one at quarterback is just huge in my opinion. An inexperienced quarterback, on the road for the first time can be a license for miscues. All that said, I think we win. Our lines are very good and if it comes down to it, I think we can play grind it our football if we need to.

 

[CrazyVandyFan]

The talent gap between your OL and our DL seems to be huge, and that is why we win this game, IMO.

I think this is a totally fair statement and I would take it a step further and guess ( based on Edsall's teams always having good o-lines) that your o-line will handle our d-line. It appears that we've improved on both lines, but if there is a talent gap, it's probably on the line of scrimmage.

That said, Vegas has VU as a 2 point favorite. Strange huh?

 

[SAMCRO]

I for one have no friggin idea how this game is going to go. Of course I precdicted a UConn W b/c, well, I am a UConn fan. This being said, I would not be surprised is we won big, won close, or even lost close. The only thing that would surprise me is if we get blown out. I just can't get a good feel for this team after 1 game against a bottom of the pack FCS team with minimal scholarships. I do believe we have the talent where we should win this game. I base that comment on what I saw from both teams last season, what I saw from both temas in week 1, and based on what both teamsare bringin back, but I'd feel a lot better about it if I knew more about our QB situation.

 

[uconnbaseball]

I'm not a recruiting nut, but your claim makes you look either ignorant or like typical fan guy (over appraials of one's own talent and discount of opposition's). What you're saying is that last year's team won more that Vandy's team, but don't confuse that for the actual talent on the field. Those are two different things. The kid we faced that plays wide receiver for Elon last week hasn't won very much, but he'll be on an NFL roster (and likely a high rd pick). Aarom Mellette is his name and he's talented as hell (11 catches for 180 against us). We have 4-5 kids that will be drafted (maybe more) this April and yes, they are talented, but we have had terrible coaching, a brutal schedule and a ton of injuries so we haven't won very much. There is plenty of talent on VU's roster but to you, unless you've won, you have no talent, right?

Marve, Heyward, and who exactly? Norman is only a junior. Richardson is a 7th round to free agent caliber player.

 

[CrazyVandyFan]

I'm trying to be polite (or was) but can you read? I did not say you had no talent on your roster. I said you don't have as much as we do. Your belief that one can't tell overall talent by how well a team does on the field is, frankly, dumb.

have a nice day. I have a lot of respect for Vanderbilt as an institution, and for the players who struggle through the disadvantages they face in the SEC while trying to actually learn things. But now I'm much less sympathetic to its fanbase so let me be clear -- you guys suck. You are a bad football team. Are almost all the time and will continue to be almost all the time. I don't know that we are a good football team, but I do know we're better than you.

Does that help?

You have issues and I would imagine, most of the UConn fans around here are embarrassed by you. My opinion of UConn's fanbase won't be swayed one bit by our conversation. Why? Because I'm not 13.

 

[uconnbaseball]

You have issues and I would imagine, most of the UConn fans around here are embarrassed by you. My opinion of UConn's fanbase won't be swayed one bit by our conversation. Why? Because I'm not 13.

Biz is one of the best posters on this board. You will definitely not get any agreement here.

With that said, you seem like good guy. I wish Vandy all the best...after Saturday of course.

 

[CrazyVandyFan]

Marve, Heyward, and who exactly? Norman is only a junior. Richardson is a 7th round to free agent caliber player.

Marve, Heyward, Richardson Barden for sure this year and several others who are maybes in the future (Wilson cb, Laddler fs, Johnson c, Mathews wr (soph)). No way Norman leaves, he wants a degree but has potential to play at the next level. We have a lot of guys that can play at the next level, but the only ones that will get drafted high this year would be Marve and Heyward.

 

[BlueMAB]

I think this is a totally fair statement and I would take it a step further and guess ( based on Edsall's teams always having good o-lines) that your o-line will handle our d-line. It appears that we've improved on both lines, but if there is a talent gap, it's probably on the line of scrimmage.

That said, Vegas has VU as a 2 point favorite. Strange huh?

No, not strange at all.
1) you're home so Vegas is spotting you 3 points. But I have a feeling the homefield advantage at IBG is nothing like Death Valley.
2) UConn was as much as a 5.5 point favorite early in the week. The line appears to have moved to UConn's favor (from a bettor's perspective) because that's a lot of points to cover on the road, and the early money was probably on Vandy. Vegas is probably trying to balance the action since there's been a 7 point swing of the line in 5 days.

I wouldn't be completely shocked if we lost because it is a road game, but regardless of what line Vegas has, this is a game we should win.

 

[businesslawyer]

Biz is one of the best posters on this board. You will definitely not get any agreement here.

With that said, you seem like good guy. I wish Vandy all the best...after Saturday of course.

His first response to my post that did nothing but give my opinion called me an ass. Exactly what would he have to do to not seem like a good guy?

 

[sdhusky]

You have issues and I would imagine, most of the UConn fans around here are embarrassed by you. My opinion of UConn's fanbase won't be swayed one bit by our conversation. Why? Because I'm not 13.

I'm a UCONN fan and I'm proud of how you got smacked down after your ignorant statements.