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I agree will not be good but I do think we can recover. Check out BC-Nova opener in 2013. Nova used a trick play to score early and lead BC at the half. Nova ended up losing 24-14.
Villanova Ranked 4th in FCS Preseason Poll
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I agree will not be good but I do think we can recover. Check out BC-Nova opener in 2013. Nova used a trick play to score early and lead BC at the half. Nova ended up losing 24-14.
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It ought to be a big test only in the sense that it proves things are moving in the right direction. If the game itself is not a comfortable win it will strongly suggest that we are not on the right track. We didn't hire Diaco to lose to FCS teams. Let's be real. The winning percentage for 1a teams since 1978 is 85%•.
And that includes 1a transition years like 2000 in the 1a losses as well as a bunch of Ivy League losses between 1978 and 1982 when they were reclassified. If you don't count that stuff, only true 1a-1aa games it is closer to 90%. Pretending it doesn't matter if we lose to Villanova is just as much a denial of reality as those who said hoops wouldn't be hurt by being in the American.
And that includes 1a transition years like 2000 in the 1a losses as well as a bunch of Ivy League losses between 1978 and 1982 when they were reclassified. If you don't count that stuff, only true 1a-1aa games it is closer to 90%. Pretending it doesn't matter if we lose to Villanova is just as much a denial of reality as those who said hoops wouldn't be hurt by being in the American.
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Can we be honest?
Villanova is a tough test.
I'd judge a solid well-coached Villanova to be more dangerous than the FBS versions of UMass & Buffalo we've faced. Way more competitive than Maine or URI or Lehigh or Texas Southern or Murray State.
Winnable games? I hate this term. But, yes, we should beat Villanova because we have better higher rated athletes - doesn't mean we will. A good FCS team well prepared will tough for Diaco.
Villanova is a tough test.
I'd judge a solid well-coached Villanova to be more dangerous than the FBS versions of UMass & Buffalo we've faced. Way more competitive than Maine or URI or Lehigh or Texas Southern or Murray State.
Winnable games? I hate this term. But, yes, we should beat Villanova because we have better higher rated athletes - doesn't mean we will. A good FCS team well prepared will tough for Diaco.
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Graham Stewart and Obi Melifonwu need to play disciplined and their qb needs to get hit...a lot.
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Last year the bar was clearly set very very low for Diaco. But if it is still so low that losing to Villanova is in any way not considered unacceptable then I have to question where this program is going. 1AA teams just don't win these games. Even against weak 1A opponents. Pretending Villanova is some miniature Ohio State is just absurd. Yes they have a few guys who played at 1A schools but most were bench players or they would still be at bigger places. They have fewer scholarship players and generally speaking they're guys are smaller slower less athletic. Losing this would be a huge setback. It really would and if Diaco and Warde don't treat it that way, the local fans absolutely will.
Dooley
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Yup. I just don't understand how everyone can be all up in arms over last year's record and in-game coaching and, now, make up reasons for why we could/should lose to Villanova. If we can't beat Villanova and Army to start the year 2-0, then we're likely looking at another 2-3 win season. We need to start turning this thing around NOW. Doubling last year's 2 win total should be the floor expectation, given last year's "practice season". Anything less is another lost season for a program, school, state/fanbase that can ill afford any more lost seasons.
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The tolerance for losing and comfort with excuses is amazing. But, that is what defines a losing program. We fear a 1AA program with inferior athletes. Should we do anything but beat the living snot out of Villanova, it is a loss in my mind.
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Some of us deal with games as they are. 2 teams on a schedule.
Whether you want to piss on Villanova, I'm not phased. On our first game day, UConn is going to have to play well to beat a FCS top team. And Army as well. It's as simple as that.
I expect better QB play. I expect better OLine play. And a really good defense. But ... There's a lot of things that have to come together.
Whether you want to piss on Villanova, I'm not phased. On our first game day, UConn is going to have to play well to beat a FCS top team. And Army as well. It's as simple as that.
I expect better QB play. I expect better OLine play. And a really good defense. But ... There's a lot of things that have to come together.
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Nova is going to be a tough game. They played Syracuse last year and lost 27-26 in 2OT. Their senior QB is the returning FCS player of the year after throwing for 2,629 yds, 34 TDs, and 3 INTs and rushing for 978 yes and 9 TDs.
By the way, according to the Sagarins, Nova would have been a 15 point favorite last year over UConn at the Rent. Their Sagarin rating last year was higher than 7 P5 teams. Nova is not a crappy FCS team.
Beating Nova will be extremely positive for UConn, but a loss is not the end of the world. Clearly, 2016 is set up to be a better season for UConn and it is possible that 2015 is a 2 to 3 win season given the schedule.
By the way, according to the Sagarins, Nova would have been a 15 point favorite last year over UConn at the Rent. Their Sagarin rating last year was higher than 7 P5 teams. Nova is not a crappy FCS team.
Beating Nova will be extremely positive for UConn, but a loss is not the end of the world. Clearly, 2016 is set up to be a better season for UConn and it is possible that 2015 is a 2 to 3 win season given the schedule.
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Nova will end up being favored by a touchdown or so, I would think.
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If we lose to Villanova you can burn down the Rent. The can play the rest of the home schedule at East Hartford High field for all the fans they will draw. If we are. It improved at Quarterback this year it can't be blamed on Pasqualoni or a late start in recruiting either.
uconnphil2016
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Real question: why doesn't the AAC offer a spot to Villanova in FBS football under the condition that Villanova also joins in basketball? Any team that can hang with Syracuse and BC would do fine in the AAC and it would add another top-tier basketball program. With UConn, SMU, Cincinnati, Memphis and Villanova we've suddenly got a pretty competitive basketball conference.
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The last 2 years UConn wouldn't have sniffed the FCS top 25. The teams were truly bad.
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We've been to this dance before in the Big East. Nova wouldn't commit to the upgrade to join a BCS conference and now they'd do it for the AAC?
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FS - No real UCONN fan tolerates losing. UCONN should NEVER lose to an FCS opponent but since we have been ranked one of the worst FBS programs and Villanova is one of the best FCS programs then it's reasonable to assume the Nova game should be close, especially in light of the 1 point lose to Cuse in last years opener. I am hoping we beat Nova by 4 touchdowns! When folks start to tolerate losing, we should fold up the tent! I do believe UCONN under Diaco is poised to turn the corner in 2015.
FfldCntyFan
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I agree that the only true fans of the program are those who want to tear down the Rent and march upon Storrs with torches and pitchforks as those in charge won’t realize that the fan base wants to see a winning program unless we do something of that magnitude. Someone willing to accept a three or four win season in 2015 is in no way shape or form as good of a fan as someone who draws the line five or six wins as the minimally acceptable total. I’ve decided that I am going to be an even better fan than nearly everyone here. I will draw the line at ten wins and view anything less as a disaster.
That aside, as unexciting as it was to most posters, I am still very happy with hiring Verducci, entirely due to his red zone efficiency (something like 95%) at his last gig. In order to accomplish that there had to be very few, if any turnovers in critical spots and a minimal number of incidents where the offense shot themselves in the foot due to someone missing a snap count, blocking assignment or running the wrong pass route. With no other improvements, if we can improve on ball possession and maintaining assignments we will take a very large step forward as a program. I am very confident that our current coaching staff will be able to develop our players to the point where turnovers and blown assignments are very few and far between. What I am not sure of is whether a team comprised of 19, 20, 21 year olds can grasp all that is necessary within one offseason. That said I believe that looking at Labor Day weekend as a drop dead date for the program is a bit aggressive. I would love to see an error free offense against Villanova and I believe that if we can play an error free game we will win easily. I do however realize the size of the question marks on our offensive line and at QB. The error free games we are looking for may not arrive immediately. That is no reason to throw in the towel on the program or the coaching staff.
That aside, as unexciting as it was to most posters, I am still very happy with hiring Verducci, entirely due to his red zone efficiency (something like 95%) at his last gig. In order to accomplish that there had to be very few, if any turnovers in critical spots and a minimal number of incidents where the offense shot themselves in the foot due to someone missing a snap count, blocking assignment or running the wrong pass route. With no other improvements, if we can improve on ball possession and maintaining assignments we will take a very large step forward as a program. I am very confident that our current coaching staff will be able to develop our players to the point where turnovers and blown assignments are very few and far between. What I am not sure of is whether a team comprised of 19, 20, 21 year olds can grasp all that is necessary within one offseason. That said I believe that looking at Labor Day weekend as a drop dead date for the program is a bit aggressive. I would love to see an error free offense against Villanova and I believe that if we can play an error free game we will win easily. I do however realize the size of the question marks on our offensive line and at QB. The error free games we are looking for may not arrive immediately. That is no reason to throw in the towel on the program or the coaching staff.
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Diaco talks about winning breakfast. Some of don't much care if the team trips over bagels. We want to win football games.
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To me the concept of 'acceptable' is pointless. They are going to win whatever amount of games they are going to win - regardless of what anyone thinks is appropriate.
I've certainly criticized Diaco - but it all can be fixed/improved. Pasqualoni and GDL were DOA day 1 - there wasn't even any reason to pretend they might improve.
I don't want to lose to Villanova and I'd prefer UConn not go 3-9 - but there is a decent chance either or both of those things are going to happen. I'm sorry but no one's expectations change that.
I'd like to play error free on offense as well - but I'd don't want to be so scared to make mistakes that they are overly conservative. Guys fumble, interceptions get thrown, quarterbacks get sacked - we can't bury talented guys that make mistakes and you can't go into a shell scared of what might happen if you don't.
And I 100% agree - a loss to Villanova does not mean the staff is cooked or the season is over.
Generally people now respect the job Edsall did... his team didn't show anything until halfway through his 4th year.
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The idea has merit but
1. Villanova would be taking a pay cut to join the AAC (at present)
2. That aside its questionable how many fans Temple and Villanova
would draw in Philly
I like the idea if it could work financially.
[QUOTE="freescooter, post: 1372518, member: 1023" Losing this would be a huge setback. It really would and if Diaco and Warde don't treat it that way, the local fans absolutely will.[/QUOTE]
What, exactly, should Warde do? Fire Diaco if we lose? I understand that some people don't like WM and like to criticize him whether he deserves it or not. But this attitude that some posters have about WM that he seemingly doesn't care about winning is mind-numbingly stupid.
What, exactly, should Warde do? Fire Diaco if we lose? I understand that some people don't like WM and like to criticize him whether he deserves it or not. But this attitude that some posters have about WM that he seemingly doesn't care about winning is mind-numbingly stupid.
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Villanova was moving into the Big East football conference in 2011 when it imploded. The biggest drawback is the economic feasibility of the FBS requiring a larger stadium than they currently play in. Temple has 1st dibs on the Linc & MLS soccer has it at the stadium in nearby Chester.
Villanova draws about 5k fans a game in the FCS & it would take a large leap of faith to see that number increase dramatically. Coach Talley runs the program like it's in the FBS & they attract better than average FCS talent because of how the program is run & the academics.
The board of trustees don't see the FBS as a viable option unfortunately especially with the big $$$ heading to the P5 & away from conferences like the AAC and the requirement of a larger stadium.
The Big East hoops have a pretty good TV contract with Fox also.
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BlueDogs said:
That isn't my point. The narrative is that if we go 0-1 we might as well give up and disband the team. That's your point of view? Then it. You might as well leave now. Because there is a good likelihood that we lose this game.
I'd feel differently if it was game 5. But it is the opener and I have no idea what we are going to see.
Bottom line I believe we could lose to Villanova and still end up having a successful season. That isn't crazy.
I want 6 wins. Anything less will be a disappointment to me. But I don't give a shit which 6. That's not tolerance. That's common sense.
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freescooter said:
The average fan who doesn't piss away his time on the boneyard will see Villanova as a contender for a national championship more than they will see an FCS team that should cry in fear on the sidelines.
We could go 12-0 and nobody would come if they didn't allow tailgating or didn't sell beer in the stadium. You way overestimate the football savvy of the normal attendees.
Dooley
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Curious: if we lose to Nova, where are those 6 wins coming from?
Nobody is saying burn down the Rent if we lose to Villanova. I'm saying that if we lose to Nova, getting those 6 wins (or at the very least, giving the fanbase the belief that we can get there) becomes MUCH more difficult. Sure, the team can improve throughout the season. But if we lose to Nova and Army, improving against Missouri, Navy, BYU and UCF will be next to impossible. We're looking at 0-6 in that scenario. I'm saying we need to start 2-0 because those next 4 games are absolute confidence shredders.
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