What has to happen for us to win?

[Palatine]

I would think we will need help from Houston in the form of TOs and bad penalties to produce a victory.

 

[minidarren]

Dont go down 14-0 in the first 5 minutes. I would start there.

 

[Exit 4]

+3 in turnovers and four quarters of offense that looks like they did against Navy in the second 1/2. Also need to get in the endzone when in the redzone.

 

[whaler11]

First step would be to knock Ward out of the game.

 

[TitleTown]

Every player on Houston has become academically ineligible.

 

[Excalibur]

1) a major mistake from Houston on offense or specials that hands us a touchdown -- pick 6, snap over the punter's head, something like that . . .

2) at least one freakishly big play on offense for us -- Thomas breaks a tackle on a slant and runs forever (like Easley against WVU in 2009) for example

3) the best linebacker play we've seen in years

4) 3 or more Houston turnovers

 

[Exit 4]

Every player on Houston has become academically ineligible.

Ha, I think when you are in the south, that just means you have to sit out the first series.

 

[freescooter]

Upsets in games like this are normally the result of 3 things.
Turnovers by the favored team especially that result in scores
A stout defensive effort by the underdog
Some panic/frustration by the favorite leading to late mistakes

All 3 happen and we win for sure
2 of 3 and and we have a better than even chance
Only 1 and we probably lose but it is closer than expected

 

[31GuardTrap]

Success running the football. You know they won't go away from it. They should but they won't. If and I realize it's a bigger if than me becoming Governor, but if.....they run the football successfully, watch out. The confidence will be through the roof.
Need a timely TO as well. Been waiting for a bit for this.

 

[StoweD210]

At the end of the 4th quarter, have more points than Houston.

 

[HuskyBandDad]

Ok I will be the smart . Score more points then them.

 

[don356]

Unfortunately, it's highly unlikely you(or the majority of teams) will run on them. They play 7 in the box alternating, and dare you to throw the ball. If you're going to beat them, you have to get a very strong and turnover free game from your qb. Cincy was there into the 4th qtr, and the qb play got sloppy. You have to beat them down field and do your best to contain Ward.

 

[minidarren]

Ok I will be the smart . Score more points then them.

You were just a few seconds late. Second smartest.

 

[uconnphil2016]

An act of God

 

[tduconn]

Maybe the NCAA makes a statement like the Arch Diocese in NJ made. ( not a direct word for word quote, but ..... Any player that disrespects the country during the National anthem, especially since so many have shed blood for everyone's liberty's,) will be suspended from the game and team up to two weeks.

Houston's whole team takes a knee during the N.Anthem

If NCAA had any guts, UConn has a "very slight" chance to win by default.

 

[TheRogers]

I think if we play Maine again instead we could surprise some people.

 

[Sky ball]

Score more points than Houston...Fool-proof

Example: UConn 24 - Houston 17

 

[Sky ball]

An act of God

 

[SubbaBub]

Kidnap everyone in the stadium and replay last year's game on TV.

{I claim the mantle of the smart ass in this thread}

This is a good ticker check game. They have no business winning, given the short week, the travel, the motivated top 10 opponent but let's see how hard they fight.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I was thinking things like a giant meter hitting the sideline, but the image of God from MP&HG pushed such morbid thoughts away.

I came up with this. Ice. About 3 inches of Ice. Equip our Canadians and northerners with skates, put huge spiked cleats on the linemen and go to town. I'm thinking 1000 yards rushing easy.

 

[Stinger92860]

+3 in turnovers and four quarters of offense that looks like they did against Navy in the second 1/2. Also need to get in the endzone when in the redzone.

+6 in turnovers, with at least 3 returned for td's. Then we have a chance to cover.

 

[Husky68]

Switch head coaches for a day.

 

[06029]

They have no business winning, given the short week, the travel, the motivated top 10 opponent but let's see how hard they fight.

$5 says this is how BD starts the post game presser (win or lose) -

This was a great game by Uconn. I'm proud of the players and the program. Given the short week, the travel, the motivated top 10 opponent, we came out and played hard..........

 

[Drew]

Realistically?

We need some luck in the turnover department. Force a couple early turnovers and get some momentum early in the game. We haven't done this one time this entire season. Take care of the ball on our end and take advantage of our opportunities when they come. There will be some oppies- gotta make the most of them.

Win the field position battle. Special teams will be crucial tonight. Need to catch every punt so as to not lose any yards and need to pin them deep when we can.

Don't give up big plays. This, to me, is so crucial. Every coach defines them differently but I usually think of them as 15 yards on running plays and 20 yards on passing plays. All about making UH have to go 10-12 plays if they want to score.

Finally, bend but for God's sake don't break. If we can hold them to FG's and stick around, they will start to get frustrated.

UH has one of the best run defenses in the country. Ed Oliver is going to an absolute beast tonight and I am extremely worried about him. If at all possible, I'd like to see us run some read type running plays where we key him and leave him unblocked as the "read" defender.

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

I have a feeling this plays out like ECU Bobbys first year. Ranked opponent on the road. Hang around most of the game. Capitalize on some mistakes. Eventually we don't have the fire power to pull it out.