OK. I am offically letdown as a member of the media. A week after writing stories about the Big House and Michigan, here we are this week writing about the sacrificial lamb Texas Southern.
But, I have a job to do.
Why Texas Southern this week?
That is perhaps the most interesting part of the story. UConn, like every other FBS team, brings in an FCS team to play during the year. In the last couple of years there was Hofstra, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island to Rentschler. The purpose is simple for the Huskies. The FCS game should be a sure win, and the Huskies still get to play some of their old Yankee Conference rivals or at least team in the Northeast. This game is a big payday for the FCS schools, and it helps football throughout the Northeast. The design was to use this game to play FCS teams in the Northeast.
Well, this Sept. 11 game was set to be played Northeastern University. Last year, Northeastern cut its football program leaving the Huskies with the task of trying to find and open date. Rutgers has usually cornered the market on all these FCS teams, so, the Huskies had to search far and wide for a team that had an open date, was willing to travel (and get $$$$), and come to Rentchler as a one time game.
So, hence, Texas Southern is here.
(Editors note: JIblogs.com is down for now, so I will write and entire post here.)
Now, what to expect?
Randy Edsall during his weekly press conference and talked more about the Michigan game than than Texas Southern, which lost to Prarie View A&M on Saturday.
The bottom line if the Huskies were beat, fair and square, and that's about it. One thing was certainly obvious is that the atmosphere was too muhc for the Huskies. It was 21-0 before they could breathe, and all that stuff about the game being just a game, well the psychology didn't work.
"The situation we went into, that was probably most difficult road test we had in 12 years,” Edsall said of playing at Michigan Stadium.
The important thing is if the Huskies are better for the experience. Sometimes, teams need to be coddled and built up. This year's Huskies need to be able to find out where they are. The general consensus is much more physical on the offensive and defensive lines.
That's where UConn is at.
So, was it worth losing 30-10 last week?
"The level of competition. Having an opener like that you are put in a lot of situations," Edsall said. "We go down 21-0, they could have folded their tents. You found out a lot about character, attitude, perseverance. They learned a lot of things."
This game is what's termed a soft landing. Whenever a football team challenges itself early in the season the next week needs a soft place for them to land after getting knocked down or out the previous week. This week, Texas Southern is here to allow the Huskies to play a rela game that means something, but the design is not to be in serious jeopardy. Now, we saw Jackson St. against Ole Miss, but that should help the Huskies and not hurt them.
Some other notes:
* Now on injury updates. I'll touch on this later tonight, but UConn is only going to release a status late Thursday afternoon. Edsall will not speak about injuries on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or Thursday or postgame Saturday.
So, when a player gets hurt in a game Saturday, we won't know what or who was hurt, how he is doing, and his potential status during the game or after until at least the following Thursday. And, we won't get any detail about the injury other than a vague part of the body. UConn is saying this is the Big East's policy (which it isn't, coaches can talk on their own volution. Edsall
chooses not to speak to us).
To repeat, UConn coach Randy Edsall will not address any injury to any player at any time for the entire season. UConn will release only a status on Thursday about players who are hurt and their status. The effect of the injury will not be discussed. No detail no comment.There is no mandate that the injury reports be accurate or exhaustive, and there is no penalty to coaches who don't comply fully.
I have some more thoughts on this later. But, it's real fan friendly, isn't it?
* Talked with Harris Agbor, who had 3 TFLs (tackles for a loss), 2 forced fumbles and was pretty good. He blew a couple of assignments, but Edsall generally thought he played well.
* Greg Lloyd's knee came through in excellent condition. He's still stewing from the performance of the defense on Saturday.
*Speaking of that, I am happy I am not lining up against Kendall Reyes on Saturday. I thought he was going to take me out when I quizzed him about the play of the offensive line. Edsall said it shouldn't have happened, and was furious that they were getting beaten up and down the field. He talked a lot about mentality and physical play. They are coming to hurt on Saturday.
* Lot's of talk about Zach Frazer's throwing. Edsall said he had better touch in the preseason. Frazer has a nuclear arm, and he was throwing the ball way too hard at times. Frazer said he is getting better. It's going to get better from here.
That's about it, gotta pay the bills for now.
