Joining the Bloguin Network has been great for many things. Amongst them is being able to talk with other blogs from the opposing teams. It gives us the ability to pick the brains of some great writers.
This week with the UConn Huskies playing the Cincinnati Bearcats, I was able to get to gether with Scott from Bearcats Blog to talk about Saturday’s game.
Thanks to Scott for being gracious enough to answer my questions. Be sure to check out Scott’s blog to get your Cincinnati Bearcats fix.
Below you’ll find the questions and answers we both answered.
1. Cincinnati has been mediocre at best this season. Then they go up and put up 69 points against Rutgers last week. What gives with this team?
Scott – Bearcats Blog: The biggest thing with the offense is running the football. It sounds simple, but Isaiah Pead is the key. He was stopped in losses against Syracuse, USF, Fresno, didn’t get touches at WVU and didn’t play against NC State. In games against Miami, Oklahoma, Louisville and last week, he’s been electric and the Cincinnati offense has been very hard to stop. When teams are able to stop the run, they can force Collaros to go to Woods or Binns only, and tee off on the UC offensive line.
2. Jordan Todman has been incredible. What’s the best way for the Bearcats to get a handle on him?
Ian – SOX & Dawgs: Honestly the best way to stop Todman is to get penetration on the offensive line. The reason for his success and other running backs in the past (Donald Brown and Andre Dixon) has been the push the offensive line gets. Plus Todman’s a smart runner and can find the holes the line creates. Todman runs low to the ground so it won’t help to tackle him high, the Cincy defenders will need to legs.
To continue reading the Q&A, hit the read more button below.
3. Given their struggles against mobile quarterbacks, how can UConn stop Zach Collaros who lit them up last year?
Scott: The gameplan really isn’t the same as it was last season. Collaros doesn’t take off as much as he did a year ago. He still gets runs called for him, but nothing like his time last season. The Huskies can control the UC line, and that will keep Collaros in the pocket.
4. UConn has had pretty big problems at QB at season, but Zach Frazer seems to have reached solid ground. How much different does he look from earlier in the season?
Ian: Problems don’t really define what’s happened at the QB position. Ever since the graduation of Dan Orlovsky, there hasn’t been a QB who can pass the ball. There was so much hype with Frazer coming in from Notre Dame but I’ve yet to see it for a full game. He shows flashes at times but can never put it all together. The one thing from earlier in the season that is different is that he looks more confident behind center. He knows he’s lucky to be the QB again and he’s doing his best to make the best of it. Other than that honestly, I don’t see much of a difference. He still at times misses wide open receivers or makes the wrong read. Even with that said, his reads are much better than earlier in the season.
5. The Cincinnati secondary has given up big yards each week. What can you atone those troubles to?
Scott: I’ve asked a lot of people about this, and the main thing they’ve said to me is talent. The secondary is full of sophomores, and none of them highly recruited. The coverage breakdowns every single game reflect that some of the players have no idea what the system they are running is, or they just aren’t very good at running it. And, Cincinnati is thin on that side of the ball, and if you keep chipping away, the big play will be there.
6. UConn has surprised the conference by beating Pitt, and West Virginia. What has been the key behind those victories?
Ian: The offensive line and Todman. Pitt hadn’t allowed a 100 yard rusher if I remember correctly before that game. The line had dominated in the last three wins and when they can do that, Todman’s free to do pretty much what he wants. Also, Randy Edsall made a few changes on the defensive front and they’ve been able to put more pressure on the opposing quarterback. When you get that, it makes all the difference in the world.
7. Give us a player or two to watch for that a non-Cincinnati fan might not know of?
Scott: JK Schaffer. He’s one of the best linebackers in the Big East, and second only to Lawrence Wilson in tackles. You’ll notice him being everywhere when UConn runs the ball. I’d say look out for Brandon Mills as well. He’s a defensive end, and he’s really come on as of late. He had 3 sacks against Rutgers and has gotten in the backfield a lot the past three games.
8. The Huskies run defense has been awful. What’s gone wrong there?
Ian: For the past few years, it’s been the secondary. This year like you said, it’s been the run defense. Honestly, I’m not sure I can put my finger on it. I can say against Syracuse, the run defense was much better. You could possibly attribute it to the injury to Scott Lutrus. He’s been Mr. Linebacker here for four seasons but when he returned from the stinger injury earlier this year, he wasn’t the same player. But slowly over the past three games, he’s looked like the player that earned Freshman All-America status. It could also have something to do with poor tackling. I’ve always thought when you can you go for the legs but it seems like a lot of guys go for the strip or the tackle up high. Running backs are stronger now and just mash guys.
9. Butch Jones has had success especially following Brian Kelly. Would you attribute the down season to Kelly leaving for Notre Dame?
Scott: This down, yes. I think it would have been a down season anyway, which is easy to say based on what we’ve seen on defense. Kelly had every single break fall his way the entire time he was at Cincinnati. I mean, the back up QBs UC threw out in his tenure were 10-0. He had his system, and it worked very well. Would UC have a couple more wins if he stayed? Maybe. Would they be competing for a national title again? No.
10. The defense has forced a lot of turnovers, including 3 TDs off INTs. Who are the playmakers on that side of the ball?
Ian: It’s hard to single out a few guys because the defense has been great lately. Up front, Kendall Reyes and Trevardo Williams have been getting good pressure on the quarterback forcing either badly thrown balls or sacks. They teamed up for a sack and forced fumble that led to a TD last week against the Cuse.
Linebacking wise it’s really been the play of Sio Moore and Lawrence Wilson. They seem to be in on everything lately.
The secondary is now coached by Edsall and it’s been a godsend. They are much improved from the past few years. Blidi Wreh Wilson and Jerome Junior have been the main guys back there.
11. Are you holding out hope for a Big East championship?
Ian: Considering everything that’s happened this season, it’s actually quite surprising to see them even have a chance. So am I holding out hope, of course I am. I’ll be the biggest West Virginia fan there is during the Backyard Brawl on Friday. And if they can’t do it, I’ll become the Bearcats biggest fan next week depending on what happens Saturday between UConn and Cincy.
Photo credit: AP Photo
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