Q&A With Eye and Eer

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 West Virginia Mountaineers, I was able to get together with Tom Perry from Eye and Eer to talk about tonight’s game.

Thanks to Tom for being gracious enough to answer my questions. Be sure to check out Tom’s blog to get your West Virginia and Ohio State fix.

Below you’ll find the questions and answers we both answered.

1. Clearly this is not the type of season anyone expected from UConn this fall, but Saturday’s shutout at Louisville must still be a shock. Is there something you can pinpoint that is the crux of the Huskies’ problems?

Ian from Sox & Dawgs: “Where should I begin. UConn has been inconsistent in all aspects of the game. The defense has been allowing too many big plays each game that has seem to cost them. We’re on our third quarterback of the season who is now listed as out for Friday’s game and we’re back to square one. Offensively, there’s no playmaker in the wide receiving corps. Last year they had Marcus Easley who could stretch the field out but they haven’t gotten that this season. And special teams has been awful. Two punt returns last week with one called back because of penalty. That shouldn’t even happen if everyone followed their assignments.”

2.West Virginia has been at or near the top of the Big East for the past few years. The loss against Syracuse obviously hurts. Do you think the Mountaineers still have a chance to win the Big East?

Tom from EyeAndEer: “Of course, but I’m starting to wonder if the players and coaches actually believe it. The Mountaineers usually do well when they have their backs against the wall. But the loss to Syracuse was an eye-opener and it took some of the controlling its own destiny away. To win it all, WVU is going to have to get the offense clicking, and that means establishing a more consistent running game and protecting Geno Smith.”

Use the read more button below to keep reading the Q&A.

3. Michael Box was forced into action last weekend following the suspension of Cody Endres. Since he’s still kind of new to the starting role, can you tell us what type of player WVU can expect to face on Friday?

Ian: “Well now that Box is out for Friday, you have to deal with Zach Frazer who is more of a pocket passer. If Box had been in, you would have seen more of a mobile quarterback who isn’t afraid to run. Frazer was relegated to the bench because of his inconsistency. He’s had trouble with his reads and his passing hasn’t been much better.”

4.I’ve heard a lot of words to describe them, some not so kind, over the years but the compassion they showed last year when Jasper Howard was nothing short of amazing. I know it was appreciated by everyone who follows the team as well as the program itself. What can you tell me about West Virginia’s fans.

Tom: “I’m one of those fans and I’m proud of how not only the fans, but the entire state responded last year during the Howard tragedy, and the respect they showed the UConn family. It was a special moment. But I’ve also been around the program long enough to know a few things about the WVU fans. They are a loyal and passionate group, arguably the best in the Big East. They are also a fickle group who expect the Mountaineers to play for a national championship every year. That’s not realistic. Competing for a conference title every season is realistic. It’s not going to happen, but it’s a reasonable expectation. The fans have a history of saying some stupid things to opposing fans, players and coaches, but it’s not much different than what I’ve seen some Ohio State fans do. What’s disappointing is the fact the stadium isn’t sold out every game. Big time programs are sold out each week.”

5. Randy Edsall was praised for how he handled the Jasper Howard death last year, and has been considered for other jobs around the nation. Now it feels like he’s becoming this year’s Jim Leavitt. Not to say Edsall is going to strike a player or something, but is there a sentiment among the fan base that maybe it’s time for some fresh blood?

Ian: “There’s been a lot of that lately. The fans are restless here. They’d like to see someone else at the helm. Or at least a new special teams coach. I’ve been critical of the play calling at times this season thinking it’s too conservative. It’s easy for the other teams when you know Jordan Todman is just going pound the ball each time. He’s good but he’s no Donald Brown which the Huskies rode to the International Bowl two years ago. If the season doesn’t turn around for the better, I’m sure you’ll hear it again. Personally, I think Edsall’s done a great job here at UConn. He’s had some lows at times but like you said, he did a magnificent job handling the Jasper Howard tragedy. Not too many people could do that. The Huskies are still relatively young in the FBS and have a lot of success. Personally, I think we are all spoiled by the success of the UConn women’s basketball program.”

Tom: “There are two things that I attribute the poor offensive line play too. First, when former OL coach Rick Trickett left for Florida State the Mountaineers’ play on the line has diminished each season since. My other gripe about the line is they aren’t physical. The players will tell you interviews how they love to be physical, but just watch them and you’ll see how they consistently get blown off the ball. Better O-Line play is a key to WVU’s success.”

7. Connecticut has never defeated WVU. If the Huskies end the skid Friday night how would they accomplish it?

Ian: “The way UConn is playing right now I don’t think it’s going to happen. But if they can get consistency in all aspects of the game, offense, defense and special teams, they have a shot. When all three things are clicking, the Huskies can play with the best of them. But if the defense allows one big play, the Huskies usually mentally breakdown in the other facets of the game. And to be a good program, that simply can’t happen.”

8. Bill Stewart is a class act but if West Virginia doesn’t win at least 9-10 games, could you see changes being made at the head coaching position or any of his position coaches.

Tom: “It’s hard not to like Bill Stewart. He loves the state and and he loves the university. But he’s way over his head as the head coach of a big-time program. He’s OK as an assistant, but I don’t want him running the organization. Will he lose his job? I’d say it’s 50-50 right now. He finishes 8-4 and he will be pushed to at least make some coaching changes on his staff. The fact the new AD Oliver Luck hasn’t tipped his hand could mean Stewart’s future is more tenuous than I think. If you have seen Stewart in some of his recent pressers you can tell it’s a guy feeling the pressure.”

9. UConn is 0-2 in the conference and the schedule doesn’t get much better. It seems like at times the defense is not playing well, and then other times it’s the offense. Is this team just too inconsistent to win a big game this year?

Ian: “Yes you can see the theme of inconsistency from my answers. Nothing has seemed to click all at once for the Huskies. Taking away the win over Texas Southern, UConn didn’t really play all that well in their wins. They trailed in both of them and had to fight back for the wins. It was only when the defense turned it up, everything clicked. But they haven’t been able to carry that over to a full game yet. That’s the only way, they are going to turn things around this season. And that’s to play a full 60 minutes of hard nosed football.”

Tom: “Since Devine bruised his foot in a 20-14 loss at LSU he hasn’t been quite the same back we’ve all grown to love. He hasn’t had that impressive home-run TD, but he still reached 100 yards in the loss to Syracuse last week. So what to expect? Probably a good does of Devine. The foot won’t get much better this season so Stewart will keep feeding him the ball. I wouldn’t be surprised to see WVU come out Friday and try to be more aggressive and run the ball more against the Huskies. Hopefully we won’t see too much of bruising back Ryan Clarke. In the past, Stewart has even resorted to moving Jock Sanders to running back, but don’t expect that.”

Photo credit: AP Photo