Keys to the Ohio University Game

Without further ado, and a littlelate(don't ask), here are today's keys to the game.

1. Beat Ohio U up on the O-Line

Huskies have beaten up on MAC teams,14-1 since the move to I-A precisely because they have dominated on the offensive line. The Bobcats weren't exactly run stuffers last season and with the size and strength of UConn's offensive line the Huskies should be able to physically wear down Ohio.

2. Get Zach Frazer going

The Huskies have to show a spark in the passing game and be productive. This is the debut of new offense, any thing less than aggressive and powerful showing of the offense will hurt confidence. Most importantly, get Frazer some easy passes to complete and get in that tempo.

3. Take the home crowd out

Ohio University doesn't get too many BCS teams to come to the stadium. Ohio is going to live on emotion and will feed off the crowd if things are close. First order of business is to silence the crowd -- quickly.

International Bowl Keys to the Game

Keys to the game

1. Cover and pressure

The Huskies need to get to Willy at quarterback and they can’t let him check down and go with shot quick passes that eliminates the pressure. The Huskies in coverage have to force Willy to hold onto the ball.

2. Bully Buffalo

Bigger, stronger and more athletic are the Huskies. They have to use that physical superiority to wear down Buffalo, especially on the offensive line.

3. Energy and enthusiasm

Buffalo is going to be sky high for the game and the crowd will be pro-Buffalo. UConn has to match that energy level despite the disappointment at not making it to a better bowl game, have to play with the same urgency and passion.

Keys to the Pittsburgh game

Keys to the game

1. Win in the trenches
This games come to the offensive and defensive lines of both teams. Donald Brown and Le Sean McCoy are two of the best backs in the country. But, they need blocking and aren’t the kind to make the entire team miss. On the lines is where this will be won or lost.

2. Score early
If it wasn 't painfully obvious against South Florida two weeks ago, the Huskies
can’t function when the running game is off the table. UConn needs to score early and keep the game manageable. Getting down more than one score and it could spell doom for the UConn offense.


3. Get off the field on third down
The Huskies need to shutdown Pittsburgh on third down conversions. The Huskies hold opponents to a 33 percent conversion rate on third down, Pittsburgh converts over 38 percent of the time.

Keys to the game

1. Run, run, run

No secret here. USF is No. 5 nationally against run. Donald Brown is top rusher in the country. Something has to give and the Huskies need to be stubborn with the run. Unless Tyler Lorenzen turns into to Steve Young, the Huskies are going to need to run the ball effectively. Tough road, but its the way to victory

2. Big plays

Huskies need quick scores. Long runs, pass, specials teams, UConn needs about 6 big plays to take the pressure off.

3. Pressure Grothe into turnovers

Matt Grothe is a big play QB, but he can also provide big plays for the defense. Grothe commits turnovers when he is pressured, and the Huskies can benefit from those mistakes.

Keys to the West Virginia game

Without further ado, here are the keys to the West Virginia game:

1. No early turnovers

UConn can’t lose the turnover battle or have an early breakdown that gets West Virginia rolling. Most of the time the team the team that wins the turnover battle wins that game, that nothing new, against West Virginia, where the Huskies’ margin is so small, a turnover, especially an early one deep in their own end, could prove devastating.

2. Hit Pat White

The Huskies don’t want to be dirty, but they have to be aggressive going after WVU QB Pat White. When White has the ball the Huskies have to make him pay. When Pat White is out of the game the Mountaineers become shockingly ordinary. In the two losses the Mountaineers had last year, White left injured in both games. White isn’t the most durable player, and being physical and punishing him when he does have the ball is the best way to slow him down at worst, and chase him from the game at best.

3. Make a play on special teams

Be it a big kickoff or punt return, or perhaps forcing the Mountaineers to operate deep in their own territory, UConn needs to get something extra out of the special teams today. It could be something as simple as field position, or perhaps a turnover or a kick return. Anyway you look at it, the Huskies are going to need to make a play in all three phases.

Addendum:

UConn can't commit turnovers. West Virginia is 46-2 when it wins the turnover battle. Was does that tell me? West Virginia is the superiorly talented team that loses when they hurt themselves. UConn can't win if they are in the minus category in turnovers. Even one bad turnover could turn this game negative for the Huskies.

I will admit however, I am increasingly liking the Huskies chances. I went on NFL Network and said 30-20 WVU on Wednesday. I am inclined to think the game will be closer. I just don't like the numbers West Virginia's offense has put up this season.

The question will be, was WVU's game against Auburn an anomaly, or did they just remember who they are?

I don't know, it will be fun to find out.

Keys to the Cincinnati game

1. Protect the quarterback

If it is indeed Cody Endres starting, the Huskies have to keep the Bearcats off him and at least give him a chance to run the team. UConn can’t have a quarterback under siege and expect to win. Not with the inexperienced and depth of the position right now.

2. Let’s get physical

Cincinnati beat UConn up last year at home and the Huskies learned a valuable lesson about what it takes to become an upper echelon team. UConn can’t back down from the physical play and intensity rather, must embrace it. The Huskies have to fight for every inch and not give in on the offensive and defensive lines. That is where the game will be won.

3. Win the field position battle

UConn’s loss to Rutgers last week can be summed up above all things – field position. Cincinnati has one of the best punters in the game in Kevin Huber. UConn has struggled in special teams in its two losses with blocked punts and poor decision making in the kick return game as well as some coverage problems. That is a problem if you have a small margin of error, which the Huskies do. It’s even more magnified when you have inexperience at quarterback. Huskies have to win the field position battle.

Keys to the North Carolina game

Tempted to head to Raleigh for the NC State-Boston College game (O'Brien Bowl). Remember Live Blogging the game tonight.

Today's JI advance.

Keys to the game

1. Get Zach Frazer off

Get Zach Frazer comfortable throwing the ball. If Frazer can be an asset in the passing game and is comfortable, that will make things much easier for Donald Brown and the offense.


2. Limit North Carolina wide receivers

The Huskies can’t let Brandon Tate and Hakeem Nixon and run wild at wide receiver. The primary defense is corners Darius Butler and Jasper Howard. The most important part of the defense is getting a passed rush.



3. Control Brandon Tate on kicks

Tate on kickoffs is explosive. He is averaging 25 yards per punt return, an unheard of amount. He is such an explosive returner the Huskies have to limit his touches.



Offense

UConn turns over the reins of the offense to Zach Frazer at quarterback and now could be the time to unleash the passing game. Frazer is a pure thrower for the Huskies and he has a stronger arm and throws a better ball than Tyler Lorenzen. Frazer has to limit mistakes and pass just enough to soften things up for Donald Brown. If Brown has another big game, and no one has stopped him yet, that makes Frazer’s job much easier. The nations leading rusher vs. a defense that is giving up 138 yards a game is good for the Huskies.

The Tar Heels are an explosive offensive team even with quarterback Tyler Yates out in place of Cameron Sexton and Mike Paulus rotating. The key for the Tar Heels is at wide receiver where Brandon Tate and Hakeem Nixon are perhaps two of the best wide receivers UConn will face. Tate is averaging 25.9 yards a reception and has three touchdowns and 359 yards receiving in four games games. Nixon is almost as explosive, with 357 yards and three touchdowns. Sexton was tremendous against Miami coming in for Paulus, who struggled early.


Defense

The onus of stopping UNC’s high powered offense will fall on cornerbacks Darius Butler and Jasper Howard and the defensive line, which needs to pressure the quarterback. Butler and Howard are faced with their biggest test, perhaps all season, and they can’t let the big plays over the top. The defensive line is banged up at defensive tackle but it can’t be an excuse. The Huskies need to get pressure on the quarterback from the line to give the secondary a chance.


North Carolina hasn’t necessarily bottled up the run this season, so there first task is to stop Donald Brown at all costs and let Frazer beat the Huskies throwing. The Tar Heels are giving up 138 yards a game on the ground. The defensive line is massive however at 280 and 300 pounds across the line and the best strategy might ne to beat up the UConn line. Stuffing the box with linebackers should be required at this point considering Brown’s ability and the lack of a passing game for the Huskies.

Keys to the game

Only true blue going to be watching this tonight. If I wasn't working,I would be watching the presidential debates. The drama has been unreal. I thought it was impossible to get any more hype surrounding this. We truly live in extraordinary times.

Anyhow, some news. DT Alex Polito is the mystery injury man. He has not made the trip and is out. Kendall Reyes to take his place.

Keys to the game

Win in the trenches

The Huskies need to have their offensive line defeat Louisville’s defensive line. Something has to give in this regard between the nations leading rusher, and the No. 2 rushing defense in the country. UConn can’t win if the Cardinals take away the run. It’s that simple.

Pass the ball down the field

Teams have tried to exploit Louisville by going to the pass overwhelmingly in the first three games. The Huskies are going to have to get the ball down field to help loosen up the running game.

Win the turnover battle

An even on the turnover scale and the game probably leans to the Cardinals. If the Huskies, who are -2 this year, lose the battle it’s hard to see a way they win. If the Huskies can turn Louisville over and get an easy touchdown it will change the face of the game.

Keys to Baylor Game

Quick hit here, going to be Louisville radio in the next hour to talk football,so don't have much time. Today's advance in the JI.

Edit: Since I didn't talk about West Virginia, I do want to say it's a bad sign for them. I don't have confidence in the staff yet. I would hope this isn't a Louisville Steve Kragthorpe thing where he has to clean house. West Virginia should have won the game, they were the better team.

Keys to the game

1. Contain Robert Griffin
The Huskies will miss tackles against the talented QB Griffin, but
they can’t let him run up and down the field and dominate action.

2. Continue to pound the run
Get Donald Brown the ball, get Jordan Todman the ball, get Andre
Dixon the ball. The rushing game has been unstoppable early in the
season and the Huskies need to establish it again to dominate the
line of scrimmage.

3. Make Baylor uncomfortable
This is Baylor’s first road game of the year in unfamiliar territory.
Crowd noise and physical play should make the trip an a difficult
one, at least on the field anyhow. Perhaps in no other sport is crowd
noise and atmosphere as important than college football. Friday
night, late, and on national TV is a good prescription for a
deafening crowd.

On Offense
Baylor has turned the offense over to true freshman quarterback
Robert Griffin and the results have been explosive. Griffin has run
the spread offense with uncanny ease rushing for a school-record 217
yards last week in a blowout over Washington State. Griffin has 288
yards rushing and four touchdowns while he also has passed for four
touchdowns and has a 62.3 completion percentage. Running back Jay
Finley is also productive rushing for 232 yards and three touchdowns
and averaging 8.3 yards per carry.


UConn has the No. 5 ranked rushing offense in the country and aren’t
going to try and switch things up. Donald Brown is the nation’s No. 2
rusher with 566 yards and eight touchdowns while Tyler Lorenzen has
been effective scrambling and on QB keepers averaging 5-3 yards a
carry. Lorenzen has only be sacked once. The Huskies figure to get
speed back Jordan Todman and last year’s top rusher, Andre Dixon,
back in the mix. Lorenzen was efficient last week hitting 13-of-15
passes, and if the running game is working, that is going to make
things easier in a still untested passing attack.

Defense

Baylor has been pretty good against the run in the early going
surrendering only 90 yards per game. Linebacker Joe Pawelek is the
top tackler with 35 on the season. Defensive end Leon Freeman has
been a load with two sacks and five tackles for a loss in three
games. If Baylor is going to have a chance, the defensive line is
going to have to continue to limit the rushing productivity.


UConn has had trouble against mobile quarterbacks in the past,
notably West Virginia’s Pat White, and Robert Griffin will be a
challenge. The key will be the play of defensive ends Cody Brown and
Julius Williams. They can’t get taken out of plays and need to force
Griffin wide when he comes off the edge. It’s also imperative that
the Huskies secondary and linebackers come up and make plays. Griffin
is going to make people miss, but there has to be another wave of
players to help get him down. The Huskies have only allowed one
touchdown and is ranked 15th in total defense so far this season.

Keys to Virginia game

Misposted yesterday. Can't delay posting I guess.

Keys to the game for UConn

1. Take advantage of opportunities
The Huskies squandered potentially 23 points with turnovers and missed field goals last week in a 12-9 overtime win over Temple. Taking care of the ball is the first thing, second is managing the game properly.

2. Keep the status quo – go to Brown
While it’s tempting for UConn to try and show that the passing game is better and to take aggressive shots in the passing game, don’t get away with what has gotten you to 2-0. Ride Brown as far as he can take you. 30 plus carries at a minimum.


3. Loud, loud, loud
Scott Stadium was a madhouse last year during UConn’s 17-16 loss. It directly affected several key plays, including a bad snap that knocked a potentially game-winning field goal out of range. It would behoove Huskies fans to return the favor .