It wasn’t pretty, but an 0-9 start to the 2013 campaign for UConn was salvaged by three straight conference victories to conclude the teams’ worst season since 2001.
This year, the Huskies’ schedule includes four out-of-conference games (three at home, one neutral site) and an AAC slate of games that includes every team in the conference except Tulsa and Houston.
The quarterback battle that has been brewing this spring is expected to end sometime this week when head coach Bob Diaco names his starting quarterback for the first week of the season. However, Diaco has stated previously that two quarterbacks will play.
This season has characteristics of a rebuilding year, but nonetheless the Huskies should compete right out of the gate as they open up on national TV against BYU. Let’s take a look at UConn’s schedule by breaking down each game:
8/29 – vs. BYU: WIN
Let me explain. As the Notre Dame defensive coordinator and assistant head coach for the past two years, Diaco has only given up 13 and 14 points, respectively, against the BYU offense. Taysom Hill is one of the best dual-threat quarterbacks in the collegiate game, and could tear up this Husky defense if they do not contain him. There is no better way for the team to buy into Diaco’s system than to win at home as a 17-point underdog. BYU collapsed in last season’s opener against Virginia and could likely see a surprise on the scoreboard as the clock hits zero.
9/6 – vs. Stony Brook: WIN
Stony Brook’s fiercest competition this year will come in Week 2 when it visits Rentschler Field and hopefully a more stable UConn offensive front. The Seawolves finished last year with a 5-6 record in the FCS, and UConn should enjoy the home-field advantage and will be led by Diaco’s two quarterback system to an easy victory.
9/13 – vs. Boise State: LOSS
In another nationally televised game, Boise State comes to Connecticut to wrap up a three-game homestand in what may be the tempo-setter for the rest of the 2014 season. Both teams come into this season with a revamped coaching staff, and a Week 3 matchup will prove the comfortability of each team with their respective coaches. This Mountain West Conference team is known to light up the scoreboard in recent years and even with an experienced secondary, UConn doesn’t have the depth to last four full quarters.
9/19 – at South Florida: WIN
UConn will open its conference schedule with a visit to USF and revenge on its mind. The Huskies had seven seconds and 50 yards remaining to come up with the win at home last year. A last-second hail mary from Tim Boyle to Geremy Davis was deflected and gave USF its second and final win of the 2013 season. If UConn remains the more disciplined team and stays away from turning the ball over, then it should look forward to a 1-0 conference record.
9/27 – vs. Temple – WIN
Going up against another two-win program from last year in consecutive weeks, UConn plans to take advantage of a softer side of its schedule and come out strong. UConn will have had experience containing a dual-threat quarterback from the season opener and will plan to play two halves of tough football — unlike last year when the Huskies and QB Casey Cochran had to come back from a 21-0 halftime deficit to claim their first win of the season. With both teams in rebuilding mode, this fight will be one that is under the radar, but one that both sides will look back on before the meat of their season is consumed.
10/11 – at Tulane: LOSS
Goodbye Superdome. The Huskies will travel to the brand new Yulman Stadium on the Tulane campus, hopefully with a winning streak intact. The two programs will meet for the first time, and both have common storylines coming into the season. Quarterback battle: check; star cornerback: check; offensive line concern: check. This one is a toss-up, but this isn’t your average Tulane football team.
10/23 – at East Carolina: LOSS
East Carolina’s first season in the AAC comes at a unique time. Quarterback Shane Carden has made his mark on ECU’s record book and is hungry for more — especially after not being crowned C-USA champs last year. Whichever QB/RB combo it may be by now in the season, it won’t be enough against these Pirates.
11/1 – vs. UCF: LOSS
It wasn’t pretty last year. Even taking a step backwards by losing Blake Bortles and Storm Johnson, UCF will probably ruin the early homecoming game for the Huskies. At this point of the season, a win will mean a lot more to UCF and its potential AAC conference championship run.
11/8 – vs. Army: WIN
Yankee Stadium will play host to the sixth meeting of Army and UConn. The Huskies hold the series lead 4-1, but it will be the team’s first trip to play in the Bronx. With identical records from last year and two new head coaches, UConn will have to focus on stopping running back Terry Baggett to come out on top. This is a true neutral site between the two programs with minimal travel time. The Huskies can look forward to hosting the Knights at home next season.
11/22 – vs. Cincinnati: LOSS
The preseason favorite to win the AAC conference features a tough defense that routed the Huskies 41-16 last year. Intercepting three of Tim Boyle’s passes that day, the Bearcats defense has only gotten scarier since then. There is some extra time to prepare for this matchup (14 days for UConn, nine for Cincy) so it could be close early, but the offensive line will be worn down by the final few games of the year and it will show with the amount of pressure put on whichever quarterback of the trio is in the pocket on that day.
11/29 – at Memphis: WIN*
That asterisk is there for one reason: Casey Cochran. If Cochran is still the man under center by late November, then it should be A.) a good sign for the season and B.) a road win led by an aerial attack. As a redshirt freshman, Cochran threw for a school record 461 yards and four touchdowns last season in a 45-10 win over the Tigers. With eight returning starters on the defensive side of the ball, it shouldn’t be a blowout, but still a respectable victory for the Huskies.
12/6 – vs. SMU: LOSS
More than likely, neither of these teams will be vying for a bowl game come this final game. The SMU Mustangs finished last year 4-4 in AAC play, and could be destined for a tough season with an impressive all-around schedule. This could play into UConn’s hands however, with SMU coming off games against UCF and Houston. This one might not mean anything for the program long-term, but then again neither did the final three games of last year’s campaign which started out horribly.
Projected Record: 6-6 (3-5)
Doubling the amount of wins from last season is certainly a step in the right direction for Bob Diaco and his football program. If the offensive line is able to hold up, stay healthy and give its quarterback time in the pocket, a six-win season is not impossible. Two important games will be Boise State at home and Army in the Bronx. Both should test UConn and give it some comparison to teams outside the conference. In time, Diaco should bring this team back to its winning ways.
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