We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Early Signing Day '23: UConn adds two more pass-catchers, sitting on nation's fifth best class

With perhaps another championship run upcoming, UConn focus this recruiting cycle has been to restock the cupboard, so to say. Many players on this year’s team will or might depart at the end of the year, so it’s important for Coach Belichick, Coach Orlovsky and Coach Pellum to bring in as many impact and depth players as they can find, knowing that a down year or two could be in the future.

We have covered UConn recruiting a few times this year, and the Huskies added four more commitments before the early signing day deadline. UConn now has a total of fifteen commitments for their 2024 class, with more surely to come in February.

The two most important adds this time are two more wide receivers in four-star DeAndre Carrington, a 6’5, 215-pounder from Wisconsin, and Willis Underwood, a three-star, 5-foot-11 possession receiver from Georgia. This brings UConn’s wideout haul to at least four and as many as six, depending on where the athletes end up, and all look like solid contributors, possibly immediately with the expected attrition at that position in the offseason (our top five wideouts are graduating/likely turning pro this offseason).

Both project to come into UConn with overall ratings in the mid-70s, meaning both could see action next fall depending on how the rest of the depth chart shapes up. Carrington reminds the coaching staff of a slower Marcus Rodgers, relying on his 90 SPD rating and his size to make him a dangerous downfield threat.

Underwood might project as a slash type player, as he has the skillset to play running back in addition to wide receiver. Underwood’s hands need work, but he is a solid athlete with some special skills in terms of route running and catching in traffic. He might take a redshirt to work on his hands (a poor 63 CTH), but Underwood could become a starter for us one day.

Underwood - 86 SPD, 95 ACC, 92 CARRY, 63 CTH, 81 SPC, 77 CIT, 89 RTE, 75 ELU
Carrington - 90 SPD, 87 ACC, 71 CTH, 70 SPC, 68 CIT, 77 RTE

The other two commits project as long-term depth, but at positions of need. Dustin Stephens is a safety from New Hampshire and Miguel Sanchez is a cornerback from East Haven, CT, just about an hour down the road from Storrs. Both will take redshirts and it might be a few years before they play for us, but both have potential. Stephens is a solid athlete with skills we can improve upon, meaning he could have a high ceiling for us. Sanchez has respectable coverage skills that we can work to improve also. The most important part about these signings is that they help us re-establish our recruiting hold on the Northeast.


Stephens - 86 SPD, 92 ACC, 68 TAK, 75 HPW, 68 PUR, 57 PRC, 63 MCV, 70 ZCV, 74 PRS
Sanchez - 89 SPD, 54 TAK, 69 HPW, 79 PUR, 73 MCV, 75 ZCV


Here’s a list of UConn’s commitments for 2024 - all figure to be on campus in time for spring ball.

Looking to the offseason and the February signing day, we still have many important battles to try and win. Two of our three possible starters at wide receiver remain on our board in Henry Hodge IV and Davante “Junior” Hall from JUCO. We have leads on both and will prioritize closing out those battles.

Marco Ciacci is another extremely important target for us, as he projects as a day one starter at right tackle, a position that has given us challenges for years. His presence would allow us to either replace Korey Davis-Love if he turns pro, or move him back to his natural position of right guard. KDL has had an unspectacular season as a junior, his first at right tackle. We narrowly trail Rutgers in that race as of right now. If Ciacci does not commit, Qua’sean Franklin could be a nice contingency plan; Franklin is an undersized three-star prospect, but from Connecticut.

Cole Kitteredge is our most important defensive target. An outside linebacker, if he commits he might not start immediately, given that we have Payton Ash and Marlon Bush Jr. returning next year, as well as established backups in Scott Sarria and Avan Goulding. However, we’ll do what we can to get Kitteredge and try to play him in as many ways as we can.

Najeem Jenkins is a safety prospect who has been on our board all year, and Mike Thompson is an Arkansas native and recent add; both are four-star prospects we’ll try and land as well, as both could start immediately too. Aaron Brook might turn pro and Collin Miranda’s future at Jenkins’ free safety spot is unclear; the former wide receiver Miranda has had a trying year, to say the least, and there are no clear replacements for either outside of Ahmir Rider, who has played multiple positions on the back end this year.

Other targets still on our board include 4-star running back Drew Hurd, a candidate to start at tailback when Ashanti Swift inevitably turns pro after his junior year next fall, three-star wideout Eric Cook, another New Hampshire prospect, and three-star safety Terrell Harris from Michigan.

Here’s a look at UConn’s remaining recruiting board:

--------------------------------------
UConn, as of now, has the fifth-best class in the nation, which would be a program record. Oklahoma, led by #1 overall player Kamryn Bentley, blue-chip middle linebacker Chad Black and four-star corner Khalil May, currently has the top ranked class.

Ohio State has four five-star prospects in the fold and they rank #2. Florida and Texas currently have the third and fourth best classes.

Mississippi State and offensive coordinator Jerome Baumann (RaiderAid89) currently have the top CAC class, led by four-star athletes Jackson Coyle and Christian Scantling; they rank 16th. USC ranks 20th led by blue-chip safety Wallace Miles, followed by Rutgers at 30th.

The top seven prospects in the SPARQ 100 have all committed; Texas native Abraham Harrison, an athlete, (rank #8) is the only top ten player to have not made a decision yet.


NEXT (Maybe later today - 9/20): ACC Championship Preview - Georgia Tech

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

TEAM LEADERS

PASSING: Fabian Stadler (GT): 117-195 (60%), 1404 yds, 21 TD, 4 INT
Jordan Brown (UCONN): 334-493 (67.75%), 4578 yds, 46 TD, 13 INT

RUSHING: Tavin Stocker (GT): 230 rush, 1372 yds, 12 TD
Mike Molden (UCONN): 157 rush, 740 yds, 11 TD

RECEIVING: Marcus Downs Jr. (GT): 53 rec, 712 yds, 13 TD
Lonte’ Speier (UCONN): 81 rec, 1385 yds, 13 TD

TACKLES: Harden Cumberland (GT), 77
Kion East (UCONN), 97

SACKS: Levin Danielson (GT), 5
Kiel Hughes (UCONN), 11

INTERCEPTIONS: Jayron Stokes (GT), 3
Linzell Tyson (UCONN), 5

TEAM SCHEDULES

Ignore the Dates - if you care, each one goes back a day (i.e., December 10 is actually December 9. Don't worry about why LOL.)

GURU’S THOUGHTS

I cannot wait for this game! Georgia Tech gave me one of the best games in the dynasty to this point, a thriller in the ACC Title Game two seasons ago (see below) that propelled us to the College Football Playoff, and eventually our second national championship. After both of us had down years last fall, we’re both back in command of the ACC and the stakes for this meeting are basically identical as they were two years ago. This is effectively a playoff quarterfinal game; the winner will advance to the College Football Playoff, and the loser will have to settle for a likely berth in the Orange Bowl.

As usual, Georgia Tech does not have a lot of top end talent or big names (at least compared to other playoff contenders in Texas, Oregon, Ole Miss, etc.) but they make up for it with a deep roster with few holes and impeccable execution on offense and defense. Tech still runs Paul Johnson’s triple option offense with loads of success, and they have an incredible backfield. Fabian Stadler is a good dual threat quarterback, and he is surrounded by perhaps the best tailback stable I’ve ever seen, something comparable to our deep group of wide receivers. Tavin Stocker is an electrifying speedster, while Jerome Nash and Adam Fields are durable between the tackles. Fullback Cam Wheeler is also an able ball carrier and a good blocker who gave us problems in our 2021 meeting.

I can see scenarios where we could blow this team out or get blown out ourselves. We could be in real trouble in the sense that we looked lost playing Syracuse earlier this year, and they run basically the same offense as Tech does (former Tech offensive coordinator Bryan Cook is their head coach). The Jacks, however, have more talented options in the run game, plain and simple. To even keep this game close, we need to show that we have improved and look more disciplined in the run game; not many teams have given us challenges this year in that facet of the game. Tech can grind down the clock and tire out our defense if they can put together ten or fifteen play drives. It’s also worth noting that we have gotten even younger up front than we were two months ago against Syracuse; senior defensive tackle Jeremy Broadricke is still out hurt and the defense has changed a lot in his absence. We now run a base 3-4 instead of a 4-3, Broadricke’s spot in the lineup has been filled by sophomore linebacker Marshawn Dortch, who did not start against ‘Cuse but has played very well since entering the lineup. This means in our front seven now, we have two true freshmen, three sophomores, a junior and a senior, which can be a challenge against a disciplined, veteran unit.

This also means that our offense will need to be on point as well. If Tech controls the clock, we need to take advantage of every offensive possession. This is something that we have struggled to do at times this year, but have been VERY good at over the past month or so. Given that he is on the greatest hot streak in UConn history, as long as Jordan Brown touches the ball, we should be able to keep pace at the very least, regardless of how our defense holds up. While Jordan has not yet had a chance to prove himself in clutch situations like Isaac Jackson or Bryant Shirreffs, I expect a focused player today. He knows that the College Football Playoff, his draft stock and the Heisman Trophy are at stake for him over the next month.

Ashanti Swift will play tonight, but it’s clear that the passing game is going to get the bulk of the offensive plays; Tech has a good front seven and we do not plan to put the game in the hands of Swift or Mike Molden when we have a more effective gameplan elsewhere. Also of note is that for the first time since early October, our already lethal receivers group will become even more dangerous as our extremely valuable slotman Devin Brown returns from his own broken collarbone. He’s quick, agile and should have success against a Tech defense that usually lacks explosive athletes. Lonte’ Speier, Chamarkelle Byrom and Marcus Rodgers are all very quick or big athletes that present matchup problems for Tech (each are over 6-foot-2, Tech has corners that barely reach 5-foot-11). Drew Talley and tight end Alex Paige, who has come on strong lately, are both healthy and will play tonight as well.

Tech has an alright secondary, but are weak at safety. Even if Devin Brown were out, I feel that we are just too deep at wide receiver for any team to contend with, even Georgia Tech and their solid group of corners. I feel we can try and expose the Jacks on deep routes, which is great for slot man Devin Brown and 6-foot-3 speedster Rodgers, who often appears on the field specifically for deep outs and vertical routes. Tech has some good corners who have been around awhile - Kyontay Williams, Shakur Jordan and Jayron Stokes are all solid players who have started for much of their careers. However, I’m just not sure if the three of them can shut down all six of our primary options (Byrom, Speier, Brown, Rodgers, Drew Talley and tight end Alex Paige). It’s also worth noting that we have confidence in passing to our tailbacks (Mike Molden) and fullbacks (Dallas Freeman) out of the backfield as well.

One other factor that could hurt Georgia Tech is their injury report; we're getting healthy, but Tech is down two starters in linebacker Emmitt Thomas and defensive tackle Destin McCloud. Tech still has a lot of depth on their front seven, but look out for Harden Cumberland and Donavan Camper to play bigger roles in today's game.

This will be a great game just like two years ago and I can’t wait to play it. Considering the number of players we could feasibly be losing this offseason due to graduation, NFL declarations or transfers, this may be our last best chance at a College Football Playoff appearance for a few years. It’s been almost two years in real time since the season eight championship run - I’m itching for another shot at the big one!

UConn Flashback: 2021 ACC Championship Game

In what was quite possibly the best game in dynasty history to that point, Isaac Jackson (pictured) helped UConn convert a two minute drill at the end of the 2021 ACC Championship Game to fend off a late Georgia Tech rally. The 32-31 UConn triumph lifted the Huskies to the conference championship in their first year as ACC members. Jackson was a stellar 23-28 passing for 269 yards and a touchdown. Luke Williamson ran for two touchdowns, including the game winner with 36 seconds remaining, while Lonte' Speier caught seven passes for 110 yards to lead the way receiving.

Riding an eight game win streak, our Huskies entered the College Football Playoff after this and beat Oregon and Nebraska to capture the school's second title.

Relive the epic game by clicking here!

UConn Breaking Out “Big Game Blue” pants

In recent years, UConn has switched up their traditional away uniforms for important postseason games. The 2019 Big 12 Title Game against Oklahoma State was one such example, the 2020 CFP Championship Game against Oregon was another, but both ended in losses. UConn will try and buck the bad history by unleashing the blue pants with the white jersey in tonight’s contest. The only difference this time is that UConn will go with their base road white helmets (blue helmets in both of those games mentioned above). As far as I can recall, this is the first modification or special mis-match to UConn’s base jerseys since the 2020 title game loss to Oregon.

Linebacker Kion East, a senior who has been a part of each of those games (redshirted in 2019), said that former Coach Bob Diaco once likened the change to “taking a piece of home on the road”, and that the coaching staff obliged the requests of team captains East and Marcus Rodgers to switch things up a bit. "We're motivated," said East, "but hopefully this will get us a little more excited."

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)



Here's some stuff to mull on because it wouldn't be my dynasty without rumors and drama! I'm also hoping someone comments between now and later so the next game doesn't get buried on the bottom of this page (eight posts to a page, we're at seven now.... )

I have the ACCCG write-up just about done. Will hopefully go up after I get home from work this afternoon.

[whughes]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Tech is loaded with upper class men, it’s not surprising they’ve ran the table up to this point so far. Hopefully coach Pellum can catch those young starters up to speed on defending the option so we don’t have a repeat of the ‘Cuse game.

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

(4) 56 --- 12-1, 9-1

(1) 28 --- 12-1, 9-1

THE LIGHT SHOW ROLLS ON

Brown stakes claim for Heisman with eight total touchdowns as UConn sprints away late from #1 Georgia Tech, clinches fourth trip to College Football Playoff by capturing ACC for second time in three years

Jordan Brown (LEFT) made his last claim for the Heisman Trophy in (another) utterly brilliant performance; he helps coach Steve Belichick (RIGHT) lift the ACC Championship Trophy

What’s the difference between a Citrus Bowl contender and a National Title contender? An alarmingly red-hot quarterback, apparently.

UConn is almost certainly on their way to the College Football Playoff for the fourth time, and third time in four years, after a 56-28 triumph over previously unbeaten Georgia Tech in Saturday’s ACC Championship Game in Charlotte.

The two teams were locked in a battle for a little while, as the contest was tied at 21 at halftime. UConn then did as they have done multiple times this season, sprinting out to a 35-7 scoring run in which Jordan Brown threw five touchdowns and UConn dashed away with the conference championship. Brown made his last resounding statement for the Heisman Trophy in tallying eight touchdowns in total (seven passing, one more rushing) and 478 yards passing to lead the charge with, finally, a fully healthy UConn offense.

While a 56-28 triumph might be indicative of a UConn blowout, the game was anything but early on. Georgia Tech had control of the game early, starting with a Shakur Jordan interception on UConn’s first offensive possession. The Yellow Jackets followed up with a touchdown drive; Cam Wheeler and quarterback Fabian Stadler ripped up the middle of the UConn defense multiple times before speedster Tavin Stocker took an option pitch into the end zone for the game’s first score.

Both teams matched each other for a while after. Ashanti Swift’s 35-yard scamper to the right side set up a Lonte’ Speier touchdown catch, which Tech answered with another nine-play drive ending in a Stadler keeper for a touchdown. Jordan added a quarterback sneak for UConn to re-tie the game before Stadler ripped off a 69 yard run, ending in a RB dive play for Jerome Nash. Tech took a 21-14 lead and the game was shaping up to be a tight, back and forth contest.

Georgia Tech kept pace and controlled the game for most of the way early on. Fabian Stadler (LEFT) had a great day running the ball, while the explosive Tavin Stocker (RIGHT) picked up a touchdown as well.

UConn was able to tie the game before the half on the strength of two big plays from senior slot receiver Devin Brown, the speedster who finally returned tonight after missing the second half of the regular season with a broken collarbone. The fifth year man raced toward a 41 yard catch on a post pattern over the middle, his bread and butter, before exploiting a zone coverage scheme and taking a catch on a right side out route the remaining 24 yards for a touchdown. A Marshawn Dortch sack ended a last minute scoring threat for the Yellow Jackets and took the game into the half, tied at 21. The momentum seemed to be shifting toward UConn at the half, and after getting the ball first after the break, the momentum began to shift for good.

On a third and long, offensive coordinator Dan Orlovsky dialed up deep fly routes for Speier and Chamarkelle Byrom - it would be Speier who got open, busting another zone coverage pattern and beating a deep safety one-on-one, sprinting toward a 79-yard touchdown after a perfectly placed ball from Jordan Brown.

This Lonte' Speier 79-yard touchdown catch and run electrified UConn and likely shifted the momentum of the game for good.

Orlovsky discussed the play call after the game. “We knew that the momentum was turning in our favor. We felt we were one play away from swinging it to us for good, and we let our best players take over.” Orlosvky was right on the nose, as the huge touchdown play fired up the UConn sideline, and seemingly silenced Tech’s. Though Stocker got the Yellow Jackets’ next drive off to a good start with a 20 yard run along the left sideline, UConn dug in and forced a punt three plays later and the Huskies were off and running. Much like other games of late, UConn seemed to operate at top speed and with no mistakes. Alex Paige on a corner route for 36. Devin Brown for 19, and then 11 over the middle, before fullback Dallas Freeman got open a flat route and pounded his way in for a short receiving touchdown.

It was a great day to be a UConn receiver once again; Devin Brown (LEFT), Speier (CENTER) and Byrom (RIGHT) each had big days.

Now trailing by two touchdowns, Tech elected not to change their gameplan and continued to ground and pound, getting into field goal range before Marlon Bush continued UConn’s hot streak on defense, tackling Stocker behind the line of scrimmage and forcing a punt.

That lack of urgency would likely end up costing Tech. UConn broke the game open on the first play of the fourth quarter with a 68-yard bomb, another deep pass pattern to Chamarkelle Byrom. UConn once again found the hole in Tech’s zone coverage, and Byrom beat safety Bravon Wright over the top. UConn held a 42-21 lead and the Huskies were in cruise control. Though Tech would hold the ball for over 60% of the game, their option game did not lend itself to scoring as quickly and as efficiently as UConn could. Despite Stadler scoring his second rushing touchdown of the game, that drive took up over a dozen plays and five minutes off the play clock - not fast enough to keep pace with the perfect offense. Jordan Brown added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter - a 39-yard pass to Byrom and a ten-yard throw to Paige for his record tying seventh of the day.

Three of UConn's five main receivers - Speier, Byrom, Devin Brown and Paige, posted stellar days once again. Brown led all receivers with seven catches, 149 yards and a score in his big return. Speier caught five balls for 148 yards and two scores while Byrom added four for 125. Paige added a score from his tight end spot.

UConn was not great on defense as they surrendered 360 rushing yards to the Yellow Jackets, led by 158 from Stadler. However, considering UConn's problems historically stopping the triple option, success in regards to scoring defense spells a moral victory for the Huskies, especially after the shellacking Syracuse gave the UConn defense earlier this season. One ingredient missing from the Syracuse game was linebacker Marshawn Dortch, a recent addition to the starting lineup. The sophomore received praise from the coaching staff after tallying seven tackles and a sack; "He's a real difference maker", commented head coach Steve Belichick. UConn's ability to shut down multiple Yellow Jacket scoring opportunities most certainly played a factor in the end result, a true team victory.

At the end of the carnage, it is once again UConn that stands atop the ACC for the second time in three years. However, UConn seems more focused - and more motivated - on a bigger target. Coach Belichick, imitating his dad some ten years earlier, told NBC reporters that “we’re on to… whoever we play next” with a slight chuckle. Jordan Brown added “We feel great. We will win this national championship”. Orlovsky added in regards to the CFP, “we just beat the best team in the country, according to some pollsters. We’re plenty good enough and we're plenty ready.”

While the team might be plenty good enough, the quarterback makes it run. It has been no secret that unlike past UConn squads, this has been Jordan Brown’s team over the past two months. Today’s startling performance was no exception. The junior from Texas surpassed 5,000 passing yards on the season and now sits on 53 passing touchdowns in 2023. Brown can feasibly set both NCAA season records if UConn advances to the Playoff final; the passing yards record of 5833 belongs to Texas Tech’s B.J. Symons from 2003, and Brown is just five touchdowns away from Hawai’i slinger Colt Brennan’s record of 58 from 2006. Brown has now accounted for 25 passing touchdowns in UConn’s last four games.

Jordan will now also await the voters’ decision on the Heisman Trophy; he was announced as a finalist recently and will head to New York City for next week's ceremony, perhaps as the new favorite to win.

UConn’s playoff run will almost certainly start at the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day, though they will not know their opponent until the Playoff bracket is released early next week. Several possible intriguing matchups lie ahead for the Huskies; UConn has played Oregon in each of their prior trips to the CFP and the two teams could meet again this year. Iowa and UConn played a game last year and former UConn defensive coordinator Josh Conklin is now the Hawkeyes' head coach. Texas is a former Big 12 rival and Ole Miss are the defending national champions. We'll learn more about that soon.

Until then, friends, enjoy this incredible conference championship run. For all the adversity we had to go through early in the season, many moons ago, we're finally rolling to our full potential and perhaps the climax of this era. Enjoy the Jordan Brown light show for (hopefully) two more games (and wins). We have this team ROLLING.

See you all in the Playoff.

Not to be left out was UConn’s defense, who really stepped up in the second half. Payton Ash (LEFT) takes down Stadler, while safety Aaron Brook (RIGHT) makes a nice diving deflection.


NEXT: TBA (College Football Playoff)

Connecticut Huskies at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Dec 9, 2023	1ST	2ND	3RD	4TH	SCORE
#4 Connecticut Huskies (12-1, 9-1)	7	14	14	21	56
#1 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (12-1, 9-1)	14	7	0	7	28

Team Stats Comparison
	CONN	GT
Total Offense	533	446
Rushing Yards	55	346
Passing Yards	478	100
First Downs	14	21
Punt Return Yards	31	0
Kick Return Yards	20	122
Total Yards	584	568
Turnovers	1	0
3rd Down Conversion	3-6 (50%)	6-15 (40%)
4th Down Conversion	0-0	1-2
2-Point Conversion	0-0	0-0
Red Zone Touchdowns/Field Goals	5-5-0 (100%)	6-4-0 (66%)
Penalties	0-0	0-0
Possession Time	13:40	22:20

Scoring Summary
FIRST QUARTER SCORING		CONN	GT
4:52	(GT) Stocker 3 run (Atkinson kick)	0	7
3:16	(CONN) Speier 11 pass J. Brown (Ricciardi kick)	7	7
:30	(GT) Stadler 4 run (Atkinson kick)	7	14
SECOND QUARTER SCORING		CONN	GT
8:21	(CONN) J. Brown 1 run (Ricciardi kick)	14	14
7:16	(GT) Nash 2 run (Atkinson kick)	14	21
1:47	(CONN) D. Brown 24 pass J. Brown (Ricciardi kick)	21	21
THIRD QUARTER SCORING		CONN	GT
7:28	(CONN) Speier 79 pass J. Brown (Ricciardi kick)	28	21
3:22	(CONN) Freeman 8 pass J. Brown (Ricciardi kick)	35	21
FOURTH QUARTER SCORING		CONN	GT
8:51	(CONN) Byrom 68 pass J. Brown (Ricciardi kick)	42	21
7:42	(CONN) Byrom 39 pass J. Brown (Ricciardi kick)	49	21
4:54	(GT) Stadler 2 run (Atkinson kick)	49	28
3:38	(CONN) Paige 10 pass J. Brown (Ricciardi kick)	56	28

Connecticut Huskies PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Jordan Brown 20-26 478 7 1 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Ashanti Swift 10 59 5.9 0 Jordan Brown 8 -1 -0.1 1 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD Devin Brown 7 149 21.2 1 Lonte' Speier 5 148 29.6 2 Chamarkelle Byrom 4 125 31.2 2 Alex Paige 2 46 23.0 1 Dallas Freeman 2 10 5.0 1 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Tory Greening 9 0 0 0 Kion East 7 (3) 0 0 0 Marshawn Dortch 7 (4) 1 0 0 Payton Ash 6 (5) 1 0 0 Marlon Bush Jr. 4 (3) 0 0 0 Kiel Hughes 1 (1) 1 0 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Anthony Ricciardi 0-0 8-8 8

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets PASSING C/A YDS TD INT Fabian Stadler 10-18 100 0 0 RUSHING ATT YDS AVG TD Fabian Stadler 30 158 5.2 2 Tavin Stocker 11 71 6.4 1 Cam Wheeler 8 64 8.0 0 Jerome Nash 6 29 4.8 1 RECEIVING REC YDS AVG TD William Mannix 3 37 12.3 0 Maurice Fontaine 2 24 12.0 0 Marcus Downs Jr. 2 24 12.0 0 DEFENSE TACK SACK INT TD Kyontay Williams 5 0 0 0 Nick Harrison 5 (2) 0 0 0 Blake McDowell 2 (1) 1 0 0 Levin Danielson 2 (1) 1 0 0 Shakur Jordan 2 0 1 0 KICKING FG XP PTS LONG Justin Atkinson 0-0 4-4 4

Tech is loaded with upper class men, it’s not surprising they’ve ran the table up to this point so far. Hopefully coach Pellum can catch those young starters up to speed on defending the option so we don’t have a repeat of the ‘Cuse game.

The thing with these option teams, as I'm sure you know, is how disciplined they are. They aren't athlete factories, these guys stay for five years, and it's just a solid, cohesive, efficient team game.

I played this game quite a while ago so I don't recall the gameplan exactly, but I think we just did a better job of getting in the backfield in the second half - the momentum boost we got right around the halftime break helped out a lot. The big change between this game and Syracuse was the defensive formation change; Tarik Madison is our athletic "nose" tackle now and solid fundamental guy Marshawn Dortch is in the lineup as our fourth linebacker (we had a 4-3 look against Syracuse with a less effective Jeremy Broadricke up front paired with Madison).

With the four linebackers, I think we are able to cover a bit more ground quicker and, in this case, force Stadler to keep the ball. I can forgive letting Stadler get 158 yards when their other backs were less successful. Against SU, it was the fullbacks and the slotbacks in open space that gave us big problems; their O-Line got great pushes against us. Of course, it helps too when we score 56 points for a huge cushion!!

If we draw Oregon at any point in the CFP, we might still have to face the option (albeit a spread option look), but I think we're better equipped to stop these offenses now as opposed to Week 8 or in earlier seasons. Having the 3-4 base look out there with more athletes on the field has most certainly helped me out in recent matchups.

Thanks as always!

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

PAC-12: #2 Oregon (13-0) ----- 31
#7 USC (11-2) ----- 21
W. Taylor (RB, ORE): 21 rush, 137 yds, 2 TD

ACC: #4 UConn (12-1) ----- 56
#1 Georgia Tech (12-1) ----- 28
J. Brown (QB, UCONN): 20-26, 478 yds, 7 TD, rush TD

BIG 10: #3 Iowa (12-1) ----- 42
Penn State (7-6) ----- 14
D. Upchurch (RB, IOWA): 29 rush, 184 yds, 3 TD

BIG 12: #5 Texas (12-1) ----- 45
#15 Arkansas State (10-3) ----- 35
D. Brunner (WR, TEX): 11 rec, 209 yds, 2 TD

SEC: #6 Ole Miss (12-1) ----- 35
Kentucky (7-6) ----- 18 (Ole Miss trailed 10-7 at halftime)
B. McCardell (QB, MISS): 16-17, 192 yds, 3 TD

MWC: #20 Fresno State (11-2) ----- 42
Boise State (6-7) ----- 28
L. Talgett (QB, FRES): 17-23, 236 yds, 3 TD, 20 rush, 90 yds, TD

C-USA: Louisiana Tech (10-3) ----- 31
UTSA (7-6) ----- 17
T. Wilson (RB, LT): 37 rush, 281 yds, 2 TD

AAC: East Carolina (9-4) ----- 24
SMU (8-5) ----- 21
E. Pointer (QB, ECU): 13-27, 123 yds, 2 TD, 22 rush, 116 yds, TD

MAC: Miami-OH (10-3) ----- 28
#24 Toledo (8-5) ----- 21
T. Berry (RB, MOH): 23 rush, 135 yds, TD

PLAYOFF RACE

LOCK
Oregon (13-0) - PAC-12 CHAMP

VIRTUAL LOCK
UConn (12-1) - ACC CHAMP

IN THE HUNT
Iowa (12-1) - BIG TEN CHAMP
Texas (12-1) - BIG 12 CHAMP
Ole Miss (12-1) - SEC CHAMP

OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
Georgia Tech (12-1)


---------------------------------------------------------------

ED NOTE: I've had about six months to think about who's in. I think I have my mind made up, but I want to know what you all have to say. Here are blind resumes for the five "bubble" teams (everyone except Oregon; we need to fill THREE spots out of these five). You can probably figure out some, if not all, of these teams by the information above. Still, if you have an opinion, I would LOVE to hear it.

Bad losses mean a loss by more than two touchdowns or an unranked upset of any kind.

Blowout wins I think count by 17 points or more (I can't remember the exact criterion for that stat, wrote this up a while ago).


Team B:

Record: 12-1
Record vs Ranked teams: 5-1
Conference Champ?: Yes
Bad losses: 0 - only loss was by 14 points on the road to a ranked team while a bit short-handed; everyone is healthy now
Blow outs: 7


Team C:

Record: 12-1
Record vs Ranked teams: 4-1
Conference Champ?: Yes
Bad losses: 0 - 14 points, on the road at a top 5-ranked, 6-star prestige non-conference team in September. That team finished 8-4 after a late slump.
Blow out wins: 8


Team D:

Record: 12-1
Record vs Ranked teams: 4-0
Conference Champ?: Yes
Bad losses: 1 - loss was to a 5-7 team by one point on the road in early October. That team had talent but an unspectacular QB, were young and played a very tough schedule
Blowout wins: 8


Team E:

Record: 12-1
Record vs Ranked teams: 4-1
Conference Champ?: Yes
Bad losses: 0 - seven points, at home, strong in-conference opponent
Blowout wins: 5


Team F:

Record: 12-1
Record vs Ranked teams: 2-1
Conference Champ?: No - lost to Team B
Bad losses: 1
Blowout wins: 5

[whughes]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Oregon is the obvious #1
Team C at #2. Slipped up early in the season against a top 5 team at the time
Team B at #3. Their lone loss wasn’t against a top 5 team like Team C’s was
I’m going to go Team E for spot #4

The fourth spot of course is always the tricky one. My first instinct was to go with Team D, but losing to a 5-7 squad is almost unforgivable. Having figured out who the teams are I wanted to give Team F the shoe in because of how strong they were all season. But they’re not a conference champion, and in my opinion that should be number one on the list of qualifying for the playoff

The only way I give the fourth spot to Team D over Team E is of Team D’s loss came at a time when they were missing a key contributor. Starting quarterback, Heisman hopeful running back, strong linebacker, etc

[Deuce2223]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

I agree with Hughes. I feel you need to win your conference in order to get in. I am going B,C,E as well.


Not happy at all that Boise State went 6-7 and loss to Fresno in the MW.

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

HISTORY IN THE MAKING

Jordan Brown claims UConn’s first Heisman Trophy after record-shattering regular season



Jordan Brown receiving UConn's first Heisman Memorial Trophy.

After two runner-up finishes over the prior six seasons, UConn has finally claimed college football’s most prestigious honor. Junior quarterback Jordan Brown was awarded the Heisman Memorial Trophy on Saturday night, given to the nation’s most outstanding player. Brown’s win marks the first ever for UConn, and the second consecutive quarterback to win the award. Brown has broken virtually every record a UConn quarterback could own in what has widely been considered the best individual season in UConn history, if not NCAA history.

Brown topped 5,000 yards passing on the season in UConn’s ACC Championship Game victory, and has 53 passing touchdowns in addition to six rushing touchdowns. He sits six passing TDs away from the NCAA single season record. Brown is also nearing in on several UConn career records, despite being in just his second season as a starter.

A three-star recruit from Texas coming out of high school, Brown became the top backup for UConn as a true freshman and assumed command of the Husky offense in 2022 as a sophomore. Brown showed promise but struggled at times as UConn finished 10-3. Brown had a promising start to this season as UConn rose to the #1 ranking by midseason and Brown was passing the ball very efficiently, just two interceptions through five games. Three tough games against Pitt, Syracuse and Notre Dame appeared to doom his Heisman campaign, but Brown has erupted in recent weeks. One could argue that the last four games of the season have been his Heisman moment, as Brown has broken UConn’s single game passing touchdown record three times and passed for 25 touchdowns in that span. Thought to be in a tight race with Fresno State QB Loren Talgett, Brown distanced himself from the field with an eight-touchdown performance against #1 ranked Georgia Tech last week, perhaps the greatest individual performance in team history.

“It’s a huge honor”, a composed Brown said while beaming. “Coach Diaco recruited me at first, and I knew he had come close twice with a few running backs. It feels special to finally bring one home for UConn”. The two running backs Brown mentioned were Josh Marriner, a 2,000 yard runner in 2017’s national championship season who finished runner-up, and Luke Williamson, a 1900 yard rusher in 2020 who also finished runner-up.

Talgett finished second in voting about 700 points back of Jordan. Arizona State quarterback Mike Miles Jr. finished third, followed by Oregon duo Kai Tago, their quarterback, and Willie Taylor, their running back. Lonte’ Speier garnered a few votes as well, ultimately finishing eighth in voting.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Brown cleans up national offensive awards; Speier (Biletnikoff), Rodgers (Jet Rodgers), Orlovsky (Broyles) pick up hardware

While Jordan Brown was busy cleaning up the national stage with all major awards a quarterback can win (Heisman, Camp, Maxwell, O’Brien), some of his teammates and coaches received some recognition as well. Wide receiver Lonte’ Speier picked up the Biletnikoff Award, presented to the nation’s best at that position. Speier, despite missing the Duke game due to injury, has posted the best individual receiving season for a UConn player in program history. With at least one more game to play, Speier has recorded 86 receptions, 1,533 yards and 15 touchdowns, adding two more on kickoff returns. Speier has also broken most of UConn’s career receiving records as the season has progressed.

Fifth-year senior Marcus Rodgers added his second consecutive Jet Rodgers Award, given to the nation’s best all-purpose player and return man. Rodgers has been an important part of the UConn offense this season, recording 500 yards through the air while proving to be an explosive force on special teams once again, tallying four total touchdowns (2 kickoff, 2 punt). This is the sixth time in ten years a UConn player has won this award (Deshon Foxx 2014, Arkeel Newsome 2015-17, Jeff McNeal 2018, Rodgers, 2021-22).

Finally, UConn offensive coordinator Dan Orlovsky receives some recognition as well, winning the Broyles Award given to the nation’s top assistant coach. Orlovsky has often been credited with being the vocal spokesperson for UConn football, going to the plate in media appearances on occasion in place of the more curmudgeonly head coach Stephen Belichick. Orlovsky has also been credited with turning UConn’s offense, stagnant at time in the Diaco era, into a juggernaut. He has been on the staff for three years, and his charge has been led the entire time by UConn’s offensive “big three”, consisting of newly minted Heisman Trophy winner Jordan Brown, Biletnikoff winner Lonte’ Speier and athletic junior Chamarkelle Byrom.

Elsewhere, other UConn players came up just short: senior linebacker Kion East lost out in the races for the Bednarik and Butkus Awards (Texas Tech's Ian Day), as well as the Lombardi Award (Auburn's Dantre' Mueller). Freshman sensation Demetris Sands also came up short to Mueller in Lombardi Award chase, while sophomore corner Linzell Tyson lost out to Texas corner Darrin Stevens for the Thorpe Award. Former UConn defensive coordinator Josh Conklin took home national coach of the year honors for his work at Iowa, leading the Hawkeyes to an improbable Big Ten championship run and likely College Football Playoff appearance. A full list of award winners can be found below.

2023 NCAA National Award Winners
Award	Player	Pos	Team
Heisman Memorial Trophy	Jordan Brown	QB	UConn
Maxwell Award	Jordan Brown	QB	UConn
Walter Camp Award	Jordan Brown	QB	UConn
Chuck Bednarik Award	Ian Day	LB	Texas Tech
Bronko Nagurski Trophy	Dantre' Mueller	DE	Auburn
Davey O'Brien Award	Jordan Brown	QB	UConn
Doak Walker Award	Mark Finley	RB	Wisconsin
Fred Biletnikoff Award	Lonte' Speier	WR	UConn
John Mackey Award	Asa Cooper	TE	Florida State
Outland Trophy	Nathan Cochran	C	Texas
Rimington Trophy	Nathan Cochran	C	Texas
Lombardi Award	Dantre' Mueller	DE	Auburn
Linebacker of the Year	Ian Day	LB	Texas Tech
Jim Thorpe Award	Darrin Stevens	CB	Texas
Lou Groza Award	Jason Judy	K	Texas
Ray Guy Award	Chad Mills	P	Ole Miss
Returner of the Year	Marcus Rodgers	WR	UConn

Coach of the Year: Josh Conklin, Iowa
Broyles Award (top assistant coach): Dan Orlovsky, UConn

NEXT: College Football Playoff Reveal Show, Bowl Map 2023

Oregon is the obvious #1
Team C at #2. Slipped up early in the season against a top 5 team at the time
Team B at #3. Their lone loss wasn’t against a top 5 team like Team C’s was
I’m going to go Team E for spot #4

The fourth spot of course is always the tricky one. My first instinct was to go with Team D, but losing to a 5-7 squad is almost unforgivable. Having figured out who the teams are I wanted to give Team F the shoe in because of how strong they were all season. But they’re not a conference champion, and in my opinion that should be number one on the list of qualifying for the playoff

The only way I give the fourth spot to Team D over Team E is of Team D’s loss came at a time when they were missing a key contributor. Starting quarterback, Heisman hopeful running back, strong linebacker, etc

I agree with Hughes. I feel you need to win your conference in order to get in. I am going B,C,E as well.


Not happy at all that Boise State went 6-7 and loss to Fresno in the MW.

Thanks to the both of you fellas.. nice to see you back on the boards Deuce. Boise has really slumped back into mediocrity throughout the dynasty, but one of our former coordinators (Barry Odom) is the head coach over there now and he's done a fine job. I expect Boise to be back at a nine-ten win clip before much longer.

I just re-checked the box score and it looks like Team D was fully healthy in their loss, so I think I've made the final decision. Thanks to both of you (and Knickerbocker91 a few posts back) for helping me confirm my thinking. I should have the playoff bracket up sometime this weekend and we can finally get going on the Playoff festivities! I have a few days off for Columbus Day weekend so hopefully the CFP can get played and posted here shortly.

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

DEBATE SETTLED

Texas noses out Ole Miss for final Playoff berth, will play undefeated Oregon in return to Rose Bowl; UConn and Iowa set to square off in Sugar Bowl; Hugh Freeze derides committee decision, calls for 8-team playoff

From my mystery resume post last week:
Team A = Oregon
Team B = UConn
Team C = Iowa
Team D = Ole Miss
Team E = Texas
Team F = Georgia Tech

What became perhaps the tightest playoff race in the ten-year history of the College Football Playoff finally received some closure on Sunday as the Playoff committee unveiled this year’s semifinal matchups and the four teams that will compete for the College Football Championship. There were six teams in contention for this year’s four spots; Oregon was a lock after finishing 13-0, while UConn and Iowa were near-locks after impressive victories in the ACC and Big Ten Championships, respectively. The final spot would be decided between Texas, Ole Miss and Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets, despite entering championship weekend ranked #1, suffered a bad loss to UConn and was eliminated from contention. The deciding factor between Texas and Ole Miss, according to committee chairman Oliver Luck, was quality of losses and quality of opponents.

“Texas’ only loss came to the second-best team in their conference [Arkansas State], a team they were able to beat in their conference’s championship game,” Luck observed. “Ole Miss has a great resume, they are the defending national champions, won the SEC once again and have a phenomenal team once again this year. But they lost to a 5-7 team [Texas A&M] at full strength in a bit of a down year for the SEC. That difference was enough for us”.

Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze took to Twitter to criticize the decision, calling for an expanded 8-team playoff field. “National champs left out. What a joke #8TeamPlayoff”, commented the 54-year old head coach in his eleventh season as head coach. Ole Miss will settle for the Goodyear Cotton Bowl, where they face TCU. Other noteworthy bowl games include USC vs. Group of 5 invitee Fresno State in the Fiesta Bowl, and two eerily similar looking matchups between Georgia Tech and Wisconsin in the Peach Bowl and Syracuse vs. Minnesota in the Orange Bowl - two ACC option squads vs. two tough Big 10 teams.

With the hyped up “6reat debate” settled, storylines are everywhere among the four teams left standing. Oregon and Texas will prepare for battle in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Night, while UConn and Iowa will head to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl for the early game that day.

Playoff Primer

UConn v. former coordinator, Texas' return to the Rose Bowl, UConn v. Oregon Part IV?

There are fascinating storylines entering the Semifinals. Texas makes a triumphant return to the Rose Bowl for the first time in 18 years - when Vince Young's inhuman performance helped the 'Horns over mighty USC. Oregon is making their fourth Rose Bowl appearance in ten years.

Iowa and head coach Josh Conklin face off against UConn - the team Conklin was the defensive coordinator for before getting his current job. The two teams played last year also, a UConn win in Week 1.

UConn and Texas are former Big 12 rivals who played in 2020, a UConn win in Austin, while UConn and Oregon have a nice rivalry going - they have played in each of both teams' last three appearances in the Playoff. UConn won 2017 and 2021 matchups in the semifinals, while Oregon won the 2020 national championship. If either can emerge as champion, they will firmly cement themselves as the top dynasty of this generation. UConn quarterback Jordan Brown, the Heisman winner this year, also has a chance to possibly win a national championship and close out a stellar season and career in front of local fans, as he grew up an hour outside of Houston.

Let's meet the teams!


Oregon (13-0, fifth CFP appearance - 2014 champs, 2017, 2020 champs, 2021) is the nation’s lone undefeated team and are back in the Playoff after going 8-5 last year. They are making their record fifth appearance in the CFP, having won the very first Playoff in 2014 and again in 2020, coupled with semifinal losses to UConn in 2017 and 2021. The Ducks are led by a veteran group at the skill positions with Kai Tago at QB, Willie Taylor the feature back and senior Brandon Garner is the top wide receiver. Their defense is not quite as good as it was in some of their other playoff runs, but they have lots of experience. A.J. Robinson leads the team with 8.5 sacks, Travian Kincade anchors the secondary and Gaylan Riley is an athletic run stopper from his ROLB spot.


UConn (12-1, fourth CFP appearance - 2017 champs, 2020, 2021 champs) is the ACC Champion for the second time in three years and returns to the Playoff for the fourth time. The Huskies have perhaps the greatest scoring offense of all-time; they have looked absolutely unstoppable over the past month. UConn lives and dies by Heisman winning quarterback Jordan Brown, a Texan who has a chance to play the national championship game an hour away from his hometown of Beaumont, Texas while also having a chance to set every major single-season passing record in NCAA history. Brown has a top-notch supporting cast also, headlined by Biletnikoff winning wide receiver Lonte’ Speier and uber-athletic junior Chamarkelle Byrom. Their young defense, led by senior LB Kion East and junior DE Kiel Hughes, has been improving of late. Demetris Sands and Marshawn Dortch are exciting game-breakers.


Iowa (12-1, first CFP appearance) made a stunning run to the Playoff under second-year head coach Josh Conklin, the national coach of the year, after starting the season unranked and finishing last year 8-5. The Hawkeyes ran the table in a deep Big 10 but are still an underdog in this field. Iowa does not have the top end talent that other teams do, but they more than make up for that with an up-tempo attack led by dual threat quarterback Tommy Ragal and 1,000 yard rusher Devante Upchurch, a hard-nosed player. Iowa has several veteran wide receivers and tight ends at their disposal as well. Their gritty defense is led by field general Wyatt Bess at linebacker and athletic edge rusher Shaq Herring. Iowa also boasts a deep group of corners with great ball skills. They may not have any stars, but they have few weaknesses.

Texas (12-1, first CFP appearance) has been near or at the top of the national rankings all year and will finally be making their first appearance in the Playoff. The Longhorns are led by quarterback Shane Desmin and mammoth six-foot-six wide receiver DeShawn Brunner. Outland and Rimington Award Winner Nathan Cochran heads a somewhat weak offensive line from his center spot, but they do a good enough job. Texas’ bread and butter, however, is their defense. Junior corner Darrin Stevens won the Thorpe Award, Chrishondre Hunt leads a deep defensive line with his six sacks, and the ‘Horns have six legitimate future NFL players at linebacker, the best among them being Jalston Wynn, Daulton Curry and Javan Tidwell. Texas can close out pressure games too, as senior kicker Jason Judy won the Groza Award this year and has a big leg.

Bowl Map

While the Playoff will deservedly get the most attention because UConn is in it this year, there are still some intriguing matchups. Here's the full list below!

Bowl Name	Team	Team
Gildan New Mexico Bowl	(6-7)	(7-6)
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl	#21 (10-2)	(7-5)
Dish Network Poinsettia Bowl	(8-4)	(7-5)
Tropicana St. Petersburg Bowl	(6-6)	(6-6)
CenturyLink New Orleans Bowl	(9-3)	(6-6)
Amazon Las Vegas Bowl	(6-6)	(6-6)
Sheraton Aloha Bowl	(7-5)	(6-6)
Ford Motor City Bowl	(6-6)	(9-3)
CitiBank Military Bowl	(10-3)	(8-5)
Chevron Holiday Bowl	(6-6)	#16 (8-4)
Nassau Paradise Island Bahamas Bowl	(8-4)	(9-4)
Gander Outdoors Independence Bowl	(9-3)	(6-6)
AutoNation Orlando Bowl	#24 (9-3)	#19 (9-3)
Phillips 66 Bluebonnet Bowl	(7-6)	(6-6)
Cessna Armed Forces Bowl	(7-5)	#11 (9-3)
Intel Silicon Valley Classic	#20 (8-4)	(6-6)
Valero Alamo Bowl	(8-4)	#15 (10-2)
Buffalo Wild Wings Cactus Bowl	(6-6)	(6-6)
Dollar General Music City Bowl	(7-5)	(7-5)
Sysco Sun Bowl	#23 (7-5)	#14 (9-3)
New Era Pinstripe Bowl	(7-5)	(6-6)
Fidelity Financial Bowl	(7-6)	(7-5)
NexEra Energy Citrus Bowl	(8-4)	#22 (10-3)
Outback Bowl	#17 (8-4)	#13 (9-3)
AutoZone Liberty Bowl	(7-5)	#25 (10-3)
Bank of America Bowl	(6-6)	(7-5)
GoDaddy Hall of Fame Classic	(8-5)	(7-5)
NEW YEAR'S SIX
Capital One Orange Bowl	#9 (10-2)	#7 (10-2)
Chase Bank Fiesta Bowl	#18 (11-2)	#10 (11-2)
Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl	#8 (10-2)	#6 (12-1)
Goodyear Cotton Bowl	#12 (10-2)	#5 (12-1)
Rose Bowl pres. by Northwestern Mutual (CFP SEMIFINAL)	#4 (12-1)	#1 (13-0)
Allstate Sugar Bowl (CFP SEMIFINAL)	#3 (12-1)	#2 (12-1)
CFP National Championship (NRG Stadium, Houston TX)	Winner Rose	Winner Sugar

CAC IN BOWL GAMES:

Hawai'i HC Bob Trebell (DrGravyBoat): Gildan New Mexico Bowl
E. Michigan HC Caleb Henderson (NewscasterNews4): Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
Washington State HC Kaelyn Willingham (kswgrad2012): Intel Silicon Valley Classic
Arizona State HC Foxke Brihay (nofx94): Valero Alamo Bowl
Baylor HC Connor Turley (convict38): Buffalo Wild Wings Cactus Bowl
USC HC Quinn Shea (thesportsguru11): Chase Bank Fiesta Bowl
Texas Tech HC William Brooks (TheOtherPotterGuy): Chevron Holiday Bowl
South Alabama OC Brett Favre (hudso3): Gander Outdoors Independence Bowl
Memphis OC Matthew King (ThaBoss18): New Era Pinstripe Bowl
Mississippi State OC Jerome Baumann (RaiderAid89): NextEra Energy Citrus Bowl
Troy OC Laurence Gilbert (Mike7Vinas): GoDaddy Hall of Fame Classic
Temple OC Ryan Sorbera (YaBoySorbs): Amazon Las Vegas Bowl
Illinois DC Xavier Stephenson (young3): Fidelity Financial Bowl

whughes: I just realized CMU didn't make a bowl despite going 6-6. There were a few teams that had this fate (Tulsa and SDSU I know are two others). Sorry about that.

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Other Players to Watch:

UCONN:
#22 RB Mike Molden rSR (89)
#33 WR Marcus Rodgers rSR (90)
#11 WR Drew Talley rSR (85)
#12 LB Avan Goulding SO (77)

IOWA:
#9 RB Jowan Dobbins rSO (74)
#27 RB Ronald Cox Jr. rJR (73)
#82 WR Matt Newton rJR (80)
#83 TE Randell Saxby rJR (87)
#91 DE Barrett Brady rJR (84)
#98 DE Kenyon Suber rSO (83)
#30 CB/RS Draymon Oliva FR (78)

TEAM LEADERS:

PASSING: Tommy Ragal (IOWA): 191-287 (66.6%), 3009 yds, 29 TD, 9 INT
Jordan Brown (UCONN): 354-519, 5,056 yds, 53 TD

RUSHING: Devante Upchurch (IOWA): 223 rush, 1104 yds, 14 TD
Mike Molden (UCONN): 157 rush, 740 yds, 11 TD

RECEIVING: Quentin Newman (IOWA): 79 rec, 1268 yds, 9 TD
Lonte’ Speier (UCONN): 86 rec, 1533 yds, 15 TD

TACKLES: Shaq Herring (IOWA), 87
Kion East (UCONN), 104

SACKS: Aairon Johnston (IOWA), 4
Kiel Hughes (UCONN), 12

INTERCEPTIONS: X’Zaviae Godfrey (IOWA), 5
Linzell Tyson (UCONN), 5

GURU’S THOUGHTS:

Any longtime followers of the dynasty are well aware that there have been some power teams throughout the dynasty, and especially since I kicked off “Part II” going on four seasons now. Teams like Nebraska, Oregon, Georgia Tech and USC have usually been at the top of the heap along with us. Needless to say, anytime a team completely crashes the Playoff, I’m more than impressed. We played Iowa in Week 1 last year and beat them handily; they finished an unspectacular 8-5 as they have been largely mediocre for much of the dynasty. I did not expect this season’s run from the Hawkeyes, coming from nowhere to go perfect in the Big 10, which has been very deep over the course of the dynasty, and EARN an invite to the College Football Playoff. I emphasize earn.

This team is loaded with veterans, is deep at basically every position, and they have a good coaching staff - we know this because head coach Josh Conklin was our defensive coordinator during our 2021 national title run. Iowa runs an up-tempo look and combine that with a lot of physicality that you can only find in farm belt kids. The Hawks have a solid dual threat QB in Tommy Ragal and a physical running back in Devante Upchurch. Iowa can go from the finesse of up-tempo to the power run game really quickly - they have three tight ends who can start at any school, and a solid wide receivers group. Big Kellen Davis torched us last year for 14 catches and 133 yards. Brandon Carter is a big guard that leads their O-Line, while Andrew Zanger is a standout young guard on the right side, at 6’4 326. He’ll be in the NFL before too long.

Their defense is strong too. Looking at their starting lineup, their only hole is at free safety, and that’s only because starter David Miranda is out hurt. True freshman Kawika Clark will start in his place. The big names to watch out for are impact players Wyatt Bess, their inside linebacker, and X’Zaviae Godfrey, their big play cornerback. Bess is a smart field general type guy, while Godfrey is a future NFL star with great man coverage skills - he leads Iowa with five interceptions this year. Other guys to plan around are Shaq Herring, who leads Iowa in tackles this year, and Aairon Johnston, their leader in terms of sacks. They are deep and experienced, which should be a good challenge for our offense.

We will obviously need to play at our best to beat these guys and advance back to the Championship Game. I think our offensive gameplan will aim for balance today, but the deep ball will be our ticket against Clark and Kendall Harrison, possibly the weakest links of Iowa’s defensive starters. Luckily, we have had a lot of success with that lately. We’ll see if Iowa can handle our receivers - it’s real nice to have Devin Brown back healthy, as he will make a BIG difference with his speed, especially if Godfrey and Daryion McDaniel manage to shut down Lonte' Speier and Chamarkelle Byrom. Though we had a lot of success late in the year without Devin, we sorely missed his speed and route running; he played a great game against Georgia Tech and I can’t wait to see what he can do as he winds down his collegiate career. With Iowa leading the nation in defensive turnovers, occasionally turnover-happy Jordan Brown will need to be careful passing the ball.

Our defense has looked great in recent weeks, and I’m looking for Marshawn Dortch to be a leader again today - he has really been a huge asset for us since his insertion into the lineup at midseason, playing with speed and making tackles everywhere. We have three athletic defensive linemen and four athletic linebackers in the lineup; we did a good job shutting down Georgia Tech’s option attack with that look in our last game, so I expect a similar defensive plan this week. Apply as much pressure as we reasonably can and try to finesse our way past the Iowa O-Line. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Kion East basically face guarding Tommy Ragal with some QB spies today. I think if we can stop Ragal and Upchurch on the ground, we’ll stand a good chance of winning.

All in all, I think this is a team we should beat on paper, but despite that.. Iowa EARNED their way here. They almost ran the gauntlet against a very tough schedule and smacked down all comers in the toughest conference in college football. They’re tough, gritty and well-coached. I look forward to a great showdown and hopefully a UConn win to kick off our fourth Playoff appearance!

PAST SKIRMISH:

2022: Jordan Brown, in his first career start, lived up to the hype by throwing five touchdown passes as UConn cruised to a 41-20 win at Kinnick Stadium, capping off UConn’s Big Ten road series. Linebacker Mike Hill got an All-American season started with a stellar fifteen tackle performance to lead the defensive charge. Despite just 20 points, Iowa QB Tommy Ragal threw for 312 yards and accounted for two touchdowns, while tight end Kellen Davis set a school record with 14 catches in a losing effort.

DT Tarik Madison (ankle) a late scratch, will not play

UConn suffered a blow late in the week as starting defensive tackle Tarik Madison sprained his ankle after practice a few days ago and will not be available to play. UConn staffers refuse to comment, but Madison implied on Twitter that his injury was a "freak accident" and that the injury is not severe. He expects to be ready to play if UConn advances to the National Championship Game.

Defensive coordinator Don Pellum said Madison was not feeling 100% and will be held out of the semifinal game to avoid further injury. Fifth year senior Jeremy Broadricke, a starter at various points in his career including the first half of this season, will assume the starting nose tackle spot for tonight's Playoff Semifinal.

Madison and Broadricke are both a bit small for the nose tackle spot, but UConn has been significantly better with their 3-4 look and with Madison starting. Both players started for the first half of the season before UConn made the change.

(This is where I'd tell you their stats but I don't have them in front of me, sadly).

[nofx94]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Wow!
I don't know how I fell so far behind. In any case, lovely to see all the progress that's been made.

I loved the touch of using the PS2 Heisman ceremony for the picture!

The stats (you)r QB put up are astounding. I make so many bad passing decisions that that'll never be me. Haha.

I like the arguments for the playoff. Maybe it is time for an eight-team [emoji102] lol

*Anyway* looking forward to the finale!

[Deuce2223]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Any chance Brown returns for his Senior season or is a he a lock to head to the draft.

[thesportsguru11]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

Wow!
I don't know how I fell so far behind. In any case, lovely to see all the progress that's been made.

How far behind were you? LOL, doesn't seem like you missed much. Glad to have you here as always, no matter the circumstances.

I loved the touch of using the PS2 Heisman ceremony for the picture!

Thanks! Considering our man won I figured we had to kick the presentation up a notch.

The stats (you)r QB put up are astounding. I make so many bad passing decisions that that'll never be me. Haha.

I'm stunned at the numbers we put up in the last few weeks. Jordan won the Heisman over our last five games. He was a good QB before the NC State game - and then he just transformed into an animal. It's not as if Jordan was perfect either, as he did throw something like 12-14 INTs this year, but the fact that he was so efficient and historically productive was a product of his arm talent/accuracy, his stellar group of receivers, and an offense tailored to our best skills. It also helps that our passing game really became the focal point after Ashanti Swift went down in September.

Jordan really stepped up to the challenge this year and it only makes sense that he is, without question, the best/most outstanding player on one of the best teams.

I like the arguments for the playoff. Maybe it is time for an eight-team [emoji102] lol

*Anyway* looking forward to the finale!

IRL, I HATE the idea of an 8-team playoff, and I will never expand the playoff in this dynasty. I understand why the argument exists, though. For the duration of the dynasty, rarely have we had legitimate arguments for even the 4-team playoff, so it was nice to have an actual debate this season. Real tough to leave a team like Ole Miss out, however.

An 8-team bracket would have worked this season - UConn, Oregon, Iowa, Texas, Ole Miss as auto-qualifiers, Fresno State as the Group of 5 rep, Georgia Tech and USC as your at-large bids I guess? Seems legit to me. *shrug*.

I mention this below, but we're closing in on the end of an era regardless of how we do; I can't wait to show you all how the Playoffs unfolded.

Any chance Brown returns for his Senior season or is a he a lock to head to the draft.

If I did not play God in the dynasty, Jordan would stay as he's 99 OVR and players above 95 do not automatically declare in NCAA 14. However, I do play God and Jordan is basically a lock to go pro, as are Lonte' Speier and Chamarkelle Byrom (and maybe others). Brown has won everything you can win at the college level and is the very likely #1 pick in the NFL Draft, while Byrom and Speier are likely 1st round picks too.

The only scenario I can think of in which Jordan stays for his senior year is if we lose at any point in the Playoff. Even if we can't win the title though, he might leave anyway as he was technically part of the 2021 title winning team (just a freshman backup), lots of his teammates are leaving, and Coach Belichick is not a lock to stay at UConn next year. Jordan can only hurt his NFL stock by staying.

We're certainly nearing the end of an era, so it will be bittersweet playing through this Playoff no matter what happens.

Thanks guys!

[nofx94]

Re: We have a football team too... Guru's UConn Huskies (NCAA 14)

I'm looking forward to see how the playoffs go. You've given us a lot of foreshadowing now haha