Rocky Top Mismatch for Huskies
The Story: The football team (1-7) is heading into one of the most daunting environments tomorrow when it visits No. 17 Tennessee (6-2) (noon, SEC Network).
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The Vols’ home — Neyland Stadium — has among the largest capacities in the nation, holding nearly 102,000 passionate Rocky Top fans.
• The Huskies will be exposed to a sea of orange everywhere they look, in addition to a team in Tennessee that has won 13 straight games at home under head coach Josh Heupel, a former Heisman Trophy runner-up who led Oklahoma to the national championship in 2000.
FIVE QUESTIONS: The game looks like a complete mismatch on paper, with UConn listed as a 36-point underdog. Nevertheless, the Daily still has questions about what might happen because that odd-shaped ball can bounce in funny ways sometimes.
1. How do you expect the Huskies to respond now that they are no longer bowl eligible?
John Silver (john@uconndaily.com): The bowl eligibility dream died in their hearts many weeks ago. The loss last week was a formality. If they’re thinking about bowl games, they’re in for a rude awakening tomorrow. You play scant few games in your career and this is a top 25 team in an SEC environment — they better be focused.
Zac Boyer (zac@uconndaily.com): I agree with John. It’s one thing to be chasing the mathematical possibility of playing in a bowl game. It’s another to look around the locker room and know that it’s just not going to happen based on the way you’re playing. I don’t think the lack of bowl eligibility will have any effect on the team tomorrow or in the three games after it.
David Kull (david@uconndaily.com): I expect them to play hard, as they always do, but playing hard doesn’t necessarily mean they will play well. UConn has experienced a consistent lack of execution all season, and I don’t expect that to change much in Tennessee.
2. Who is one UConn player with the potential to have a big game against the Vols?
Silver: Cam Edwards. The offensive line is good, but Edwards has been a revelation last two weeks after rushing for 239 yards and two touchdowns.
Boyer: We know the defense is up against it, so I’ll say linebacker Jackson Mitchell. He’s gotten a lot of hype the last two seasons as one of the best in the country at his position, but that’s died down considerably this year. It’s a measuring stick game for a lot of players, but especially the standouts like Mitchell.
Kull: As an NFL prospect, right guard Christian Haynes has a chance to show he is unaffected by the level of competition. PFF has ranked him the 127th-best prospect in the NFL draft and has him as the No. 2 guard in the nation. He could further elevate his draft status with a big game tomorrow.
3. Would you take UConn and the 36 points or go with Tennessee?
Silver: UConn and the 36 points. The Huskies are 1-7, but they’re better than their record and can run the ball and milk the clock. They’re a major underdog, but I think they’ll keep the Vols under 40.
Boyer: As soon as I read this question, I thought about LSU 62, Army 0 from two weeks ago. It won’t get out of hand that badly, but it will get out of hand. I’m taking Tennessee.
Kull: Go with the Vols. UConn won’t stop them or score on them. Unfortunately, this is going to be a beatdown that’ll be hard to watch for UConn fans. It’ll be worse than the Duke game because Tennessee is a better team and playing at home.
4. With four games left, what will be UConn’s record at the end of the season?
Silver: The Huskies finishing 3-9 is the most plausible scenario. Tennessee and James Madison are moonshots for the Huskies. We see no evidence they can win those games. They are, conversely, better than Sacred Heart and UMass. The Huskies finishing at 3-9 isn’t great, but it isn’t disastrous. Anything less is terrible.
Boyer: Yeah, I’ll go 3-9, for all the reasons John mentioned. Plus, it saves me the typing.
Kull: UConn will finish 3-9. The Huskies will lose to Tennessee and James Madison, and then finish the season with wins over the FCS’ Sacred Heart and UMass, which is one of the few FBS schools still ranked below them, but barely.
5. What is your final score prediction?
Silver: Tennessee, 31-10. Tennessee isn’t going to run up the score. The Huskies will use the clock and regardless of the score are going to play their deliberate game.
Boyer: Tennessee, 52-7. This game will swing heavily in Tennessee’s way in the first 20 minutes, taper off, and then lead to a UConn touchdown when the Vols are playing their backups late.
Kull: Tennessee 45, UConn 3. Being true to what I’ve already written. It’s one of those games where you just hope no one gets hurt. To make matters worse, the following week against James Madison might be just as bad.
Morning Reads
• Donovan Clingan returned to practice this week and is questionable for UConn’s season opener against Northern Arizona.
• KK Arnold is one of the top 15 freshmen to watch this season for the women’s basketball team.
• Cam Spencer and Stephon Castle are two impact newcomers who will pay immediate dividends for the men’s basketball team.
Top photo: Victor Rosa carries the ball in UConn’s game against Utah State. (Ian Bethune for The UConn Daily)
