Thoughts on UConn

[jeremycriss]

On paper, UConn will have the best defense we've played since Virginia Tech in 2013. Their defensive efficiency rating is 23 spots ahead of the best defense we've played so far this year (Southern Miss & Kent State). The good news? Their offense is ranked #110 in efficiency, which puts them in the FIU/FAU category.
Bottom - If we aren't careless with the football, we should win without much drama. UConn is essentially a bigger more physical Florida Atlantic. Their Offensive Line is the biggest and one of the most physical we've seen all year, but not one of the best and they're severely lacking in the skill positions. If we play sound special teams and give them long fields, we should hold them to under 17 points (their avg. on the year).

Offensive Eff Defensive Eff Sp Tms Eff Total Eff
WKU 4 69 77 17
Southern Miss 42 61 66 54
Middle Tennessee 45 88 57 72
Ohio 74 67 61 77
UConn 110 38 60 85
Purdue 70 93 127 92
Florida Atlantic 116 76 39 100
FIU 104 108 14 102
Kent State 128 62 89 107
Charlotte 125 98 105 125
North Texas 126 122 35 128

 

[Marine03]

On paper, UConn will have the best defense we've played since Virginia Tech in 2013. Their defensive efficiency rating is 23 spots ahead of the best defense we've played so far this year (Southern Miss & Kent State). The good news? Their offense is ranked #110 in efficiency, which puts them in the FIU/FAU category.
Bottom - If we aren't careless with the football, we should win without much drama. UConn is essentially a bigger more physical Florida Atlantic. Their Offensive Line is the biggest and one of the most physical we've seen all year, but not one of the best and they're severely lacking in the skill positions. If we play sound special teams and give them long fields, we should hold them to under 17 points (their avg. on the year).

Offensive Eff Defensive Eff Sp Tms Eff Total Eff
WKU 4 69 77 17
Southern Miss 42 61 66 54
Middle Tennessee 45 88 57 72
Ohio 74 67 61 77
UConn 110 38 60 85
Purdue 70 93 127 92
Florida Atlantic 116 76 39 100
FIU 104 108 14 102
Kent State 128 62 89 107
Charlotte 125 98 105 125
North Texas 126 122 35 128

This game could go either way

 

[flairforherd]

This game could go either way

The fact that people feel this way just goes to show that our program isn't "all that" because UConn football is nothing.

They are a name solely because of basketball. We need to win this game convincingly.

If we lose this game we should be concerned about the status of the program.

 

[Marine03]

The fact that people feel this way just goes to show that our program isn't "all that" because UConn football is nothing.

They are a name solely because of basketball. We need to win this game convincingly.

If we lose this game we should be concerned about the status of the program.

I say that because aside from USM we haven't beat anyone else to convince me otherwise. On paper win wise yeah I'd say we should win it. Based on what I see on the field (especially offense) it's a toss up. They have 3 less wins than us but a SOS that ranks 69 spots ahead of us though. If our SOS was at 69 Id say our record would be comparable, so to me it's a toss up.

 

[TwolfHerdfan]

My concern is not stopping their O it's our offense putting up points. With our inconsistent play on O, and their defense being one of the best we'll play, I am not confident in this game. It sure as hell wont be a shoot out or blow out. If we win, it will by less than 10 points. Should we win? Hell yes. Our speed is much better all the way around. This game will come down to Litton, our execution and if Legg can throw something at them they haven't seen. jmo.

 

[Marine03]

I agree with your entire post flair. This game could be a field goal fest. And I certainly don't like our chances if that's the case. To me this game is highly important. It's a chance for legitimacy as a G5 member. Basically, is a top member of CUSA good enough to be mentioned with the AAC upper echelon or would be just middle of their pack?

 

[sistersville]

Around 5 years ago or so UConn had a very very good team for them. Something happened to them but cant remember. Key players got hurt or something.I believe they lost by a few points to some good teams or something. Since then a 500 team. They were 3-5 at one time this year so they must have some fight in them. They won three straight against East Carolina, Tulane, and a good Houston team. I see us as the underdog. On their page they call our offense dynamic which it can be but hasnt been that.I believe this is a 50/50 game and is not a must win to validate our program. 10 wins would be nice but we wont get close to top 25. i say around 35 to 40 and maybe land a few new receivers or running back from JC.
















c

 

[CockyHerd]

Hoping we have our FG kicking game squared away.......

 

[TheGreenhouseEffect]

It's interesting, when the other D1 school in the state played them their fans and the WV press were convinced UConn was a Big East Conference power. We Marshall fans see them as an also ran. Hmmm.

If you look at your first post however you find that UConn is ranked just below 3 of the team that beat us and S Miss could have been a loss.

My take, if QB play returns to FIU v WKY and kicker returns to FIU v WKY we win. If they don't , we lose.

I think UConn ended strong, we ended with a whimper. They must have been gelling and improving over the season.

Best guestimate 50/50.

 

[raleighherdfan]

Their Dfense wont have to watch much film. Our play selection has been minimal all season. If we cant run the ball effectively.........we get beat.

 

[Herd Fever]

Around 5 years ago or so UConn had a very very good team for them. Something happened to them but cant remember. Key players got hurt or something.I believe they lost by a few points to some good teams or something. Since then a 500 team. They were 3-5 at one time this year so they must have some fight in them. They won three straight against East Carolina, Tulane, and a good Houston team. I see us as the underdog. On their page they call our offense dynamic which it can be but hasnt been that.I believe this is a 50/50 game and is not a must win to validate our program. 10 wins would be nice but we wont get close to top 25. i say around 35 to 40 and maybe land a few new receivers or running back from JC.
















c

What happened was Randy Edstall left. They hired Paul Pasqualani who was on his last days and stopped recruiting. You think recruiting at Marshall is hard, try recruiting for a G5 program in the Northeast

 

[Herd Fever]

It's interesting, when the other D1 school in the state played them their fans and the WV press were convinced UConn was a Big East Conference power. We Marshall fans see them as an also ran. Hmmm.

If you look at your first post however you find that UConn is ranked just below 3 of the team that beat us and S Miss could have been a loss.

My take, if QB play returns to FIU v WKY and kicker returns to FIU v WKY we win. If they don't , we lose.

I think UConn ended strong, we ended with a whimper. They must have been gelling and improving over the season.

Best guestimate 50/50.

UCONN got their wins in an overrated AAC

 

[TheGreenhouseEffect]

It is an interesting G5 bowl if nothing else.

 

[Marine03]

UCONN got their wins in an overrated AAC

Correct and ours are against the juggernaut known as CUSA

 

[jocktalker]

UCONN wins by playing great defense and solid special teams. They can pounce on teams that turn the ball over or make mistakes.

As I've said before, I like Marshall's chances on paper but any team that's good enough to beat Houston is good enough to beat this year's Herd.

 

[sistersville]

If we cant run the ball we get beat. Litton cant be running all over the place trying to pass. He gets run down like a cheetah chasing a groundhog,,a skinny one to boot. lol If we can run then they back players away from the line and chase can throw. please throw some over the middle and it would be nice if our receivers catch the ball. They havent helped chase all year.