UConn Ready for Trek to BC
The Story: The Huskies will play their first of three consecutive road games tomorrow afternoon when they head 90 miles northeast to face Boston College (noon, ACC Network).
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: UConn (1-6) is playing that team up north (4-3) for just the seventh time, but it's worth a reminder that the Huskies won for the first time in the series a year ago when they claimed a 13-3 victory.
• Jim Mora said he'd "love to play BC every year, not because it's easy but because it's hard, and I think it would be good for our program." But that seems unlikely anytime soon, as Boston College isn't on any of the Huskies' future football schedules and conference realignment is only going to make scheduling trickier.
• With that being said, we're ready for that time-honored tradition of Five Question Friday.
1. What's the key to UConn stopping BC quarterback Thomas Castellanos?
Zac Boyer (zac@uconndaily.com): Stay assignment sound and finish the tackle. Castellanos, a sophomore, has run for 89.7 yards per game and has more rushing yards than any other FBS quarterback. Mora believes the Huskies have been better against dual-threat quarterbacks lately, but Castellanos will put his theory to the test.
John Silver (john@uconndaily.com): Discipline. Don't overpursue and stay in rushing lanes when going after the passers. UConn isn't going to set up a spy, or do anything exotic, but the basic principles of football include solid tackling and assignment football. Discipline is the key.
David Kull (david@uconndaily.com): As Dan Patrick used to say at ESPN, "You can't stop him; you can only hope to contain him." Castellanos will get his yards, but the Huskies need to minimize the gash plays. Devote one defender to shadow his every move, swarm to him when he tucks the ball — and then tackle him, dammit! Poor tackling has plagued UConn all season. This would be a good week for the plague to end.
2. With Victor Rosa questionable, how will Cam Edwards fare as the lead running back?
Boyer: We're about to find out, aren't we? Mora is clearly irked that he's going to have to rely on a converted defensive back and a defensive tackle as his primary ball carriers tomorrow — but that may be a gross oversimplification. Edwards was Connecticut's high school player of the year as a senior and gained 149 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries in the loss to USF last week. If he keeps it up, the Huskies might not have needed Devontae Houston or Brian Brewton after all.
Silver: Edwards was a revelation against USF as he had one of the better performances we've seen from a UConn running back in quite some time. I don't expect more than 250 all-purpose yards, but I do think Edwards can get 100 yards rushing and be that every-down back who can make plays for the Huskies. He's a good back. He's not as explosive as Rosa, but he's a bit more versatile.
Kull: Edwards is coming off his best game at UConn and facing a defense that is ranked 108th nationally against the run. So, there's ample reason to believe the hard-running sophomore will produce another stellar performance. Minimize Rosa's activity, if he plays, and just feed Edwards the ball.
3. How could the underdog Huskies pull off the upset?
Boyer: It's the same story every week: They'll have to extend drives and force turnovers. UConn has committed 11 turnovers this season and forced only eight. If it can milk the clock (the running game will be a big part of that) and snag an errant ball or two, the equation changes.
Silver: It's going to take a big turnover margin, such as plus-3, for the Huskies to have a chance. UConn just isn't able to win games straight up on the road and needs things to go its way. Perhaps a touchdown on defense, or a really short field, is what it's going to take.
Kull: Plain and simple, win the turnover battle and score points off each one. Force BC's catalyst, Castellanos, into making mistakes, whether it's fumbling or throwing interceptions. If the Huskies fail to produce takeaways, they'll be traveling to Tennessee next week with a 1-7 record.
4. With a bowl berth now nearly impossible, what would a victory mean to UConn?
Boyer: There's still a lot at stake tomorrow — not just pride, but the satisfaction of ending the series on a high note. Imagine the bragging rights UConn (and its fans!) would gain if it can knock off BC and know for at least a few years that it's the better program. The thought has us salivating.
Silver: This is it. We won't have fond memories of this season but at least a win at Boston College will give us something to warm the cockles of our hearts over the winter. The Huskies have plenty to play for and winning football games is still valuable.
Kull: It would mean the Huskies are capable of beating good teams if they play mistake-free football and execute at a high level. It would further confirm that they're better than their record indicates and that they squandered far too many opportunities in earlier games. The fact is, UConn should be at least 3-3, not 1-5.
5. What is your final score prediction?
Boyer: BC 35, UConn 21. Sadly, we just don't see the upset happening, which is too bad. But what's even worse is that these programs won't play every year, that the Big East broke up, that college football isn't played in leather helmets anymore … Things used to be better.
Silver: BC 35, UConn 10. The Eagles are going to be too much for the Huskies, who haven't had much go right this season.
Kull: BC 34, UConn 17. Unfortunately for the Huskies, the Eagles want revenge for last year's loss, the first time UConn has ever beaten BC in football. The Eagles will be highly motivated and playing at home, and that's a bad combination for the Huskies.
Morning Reads
• Cam Spencer brings a 3-point shot and competitiveness that rivals Dan Hurley, and that's something the Huskies will need with the loss of super competitive players such as Andre Jackson.
• The top 100 players in the country are out, and UConn is well represented with Donovan Clingan (No. 8), Tristen Newton (No. 50) and Stephon Castle (No. 65). Interestingly to us, Alex Karaban is not on this list, nor is Spencer.
• Clingan, at 7-foot-3, understands it's difficult for him to hide in a crowd, but even he's taken aback by all the attention he's getting.
• The women's hockey team (2-3-1, 1-3-0 Hockey East) hosts Providence at the Toscano Forum tonight, while the men's hockey team (2-3-1) opens its Hockey East schedule by facing UMass Lowell on the road tonight and then at the XL Center tomorrow afternoon.
• The field hockey team (5-12, 2-4 Big East), which is used to playing well into November, will wrap up a disappointing season tomorrow at home against Old Dominion.
• The women's volleyball team (7-15, 2-8 Big East) heads to the Midwest to face DePaul tonight and Marquette tomorrow night.
Top photo: Ta’Quan Roberson attempts a pass during the Huskies’ game against Utah State. (Ian Bethune for The UConn Daily)
