playing today? With the weather conditions @ UCONN, if the QB is not playing, it makes Louisville a possible play in my opinion.
Is Opelt (Toledo) or Fraser (UCONN)
- Thread starter Master Capper
- Start date
Fox 61's Garett Argianas says: A good deal of clouds, feeling more like late November; 40s to around 50, the wind will make it feel cooler.
Series history: Louisville leads, 3-2; Last meeting: UConn won 26-21 at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, Louisville, Ky. On Sept. 26, 2008.
What To Look For
?Swagger. Actually, sustained swagger.
Will the UConn defense have it today?
The unit has certainly had swagger consistently for three quarters but Louisville comes in as a team that just pulled one out in the fourth quarter after losing games with big fourth-quarter collapses itself.
Something has to give today as both teams look to secure their first conference win.
?A calm, cool Cullen could be a good thing: Senior punter Desi Cullen, a Louisville native, needs to maintain his 43.4-yard average ? second in the Big East. Cullen got a little too amped playing against his hometown team in a previous game against Rentschler Field. The weather could be erratic today. Cullen needs to be stable regardless.
The young guys up front: Sophomore left tackle Mike Ryan is getting his second start and Erik Kuraczea, a redshirt freshman guard, will get his first start right next to him. The two are good friends but they need to be good run blockers and pass protectors today. The coaching staff has been very excited about both young players for a long time. The future is now.
Key Matchups
UConn's offensive line vs. Louisville's defensive line: Both units have something to prove but in order for the Cardinals to have a chance they'll have to stop the run first and they haven't exactly been good at that. In allowing 148.8 yards a game, Louisville is 76th in the nation against the run. UConn has the 40th best rushing offense (174.2) and two rushers among the top 40 in the nation. Andre Dixon (92.6) is 29th and Jordan Todman (87.8) is 36th.
UConn secondary vs. Louisville's wide receivers: The Cardinals' have the third-best passing offense in the Big East behind quarterbacks Adam Froman and Justin Burke. . UConn has the second-best pass defense ? but it gave up some big plays last week in the loss to Pitt. Receivers Scott Long, Trent Guy, Doug Beaumont and 6-foot-8 Josh Chichester are talented players. UConn's Jasper Howard, 5-10, had a very good game covering him last season. That's what it will take from the entire secondary, not to mention having their eyes in the right place, against this group.
Kick coverage vs. Guy: Trent Guy is averaging a shade more 28 yards per kickoff return. He's among the top 20 returners in the country. UConn allows 20.75, which is a little much.
Injuries
Louisville: S Daniel Covington (foot), WR Doug Beaumont (concussion), questionable; QB Justin Burke (chest), probable; CB Karldell Dunning (groin), doubtful.
UConn: LB Scott Lutrus, LB, Kijuan Dabney (shoulder),S John Yurek (knee), T Jimmy Bennett (knee), RB Kelmetrus Wylie (arm), DT Beau Brunelli (suspension), out.
Of Note
Last season, Louisville recorded 507 yards of offense against UConn (compared to the Huskies' 279) but the Cardinals had three turnovers. Lawrence Wilson had the biggest, returning one for a touchdown in the closing minutes to seal a 26-21 win.
Series history: Louisville leads, 3-2; Last meeting: UConn won 26-21 at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, Louisville, Ky. On Sept. 26, 2008.
What To Look For
?Swagger. Actually, sustained swagger.
Will the UConn defense have it today?
The unit has certainly had swagger consistently for three quarters but Louisville comes in as a team that just pulled one out in the fourth quarter after losing games with big fourth-quarter collapses itself.
Something has to give today as both teams look to secure their first conference win.
?A calm, cool Cullen could be a good thing: Senior punter Desi Cullen, a Louisville native, needs to maintain his 43.4-yard average ? second in the Big East. Cullen got a little too amped playing against his hometown team in a previous game against Rentschler Field. The weather could be erratic today. Cullen needs to be stable regardless.
The young guys up front: Sophomore left tackle Mike Ryan is getting his second start and Erik Kuraczea, a redshirt freshman guard, will get his first start right next to him. The two are good friends but they need to be good run blockers and pass protectors today. The coaching staff has been very excited about both young players for a long time. The future is now.
Key Matchups
UConn's offensive line vs. Louisville's defensive line: Both units have something to prove but in order for the Cardinals to have a chance they'll have to stop the run first and they haven't exactly been good at that. In allowing 148.8 yards a game, Louisville is 76th in the nation against the run. UConn has the 40th best rushing offense (174.2) and two rushers among the top 40 in the nation. Andre Dixon (92.6) is 29th and Jordan Todman (87.8) is 36th.
UConn secondary vs. Louisville's wide receivers: The Cardinals' have the third-best passing offense in the Big East behind quarterbacks Adam Froman and Justin Burke. . UConn has the second-best pass defense ? but it gave up some big plays last week in the loss to Pitt. Receivers Scott Long, Trent Guy, Doug Beaumont and 6-foot-8 Josh Chichester are talented players. UConn's Jasper Howard, 5-10, had a very good game covering him last season. That's what it will take from the entire secondary, not to mention having their eyes in the right place, against this group.
Kick coverage vs. Guy: Trent Guy is averaging a shade more 28 yards per kickoff return. He's among the top 20 returners in the country. UConn allows 20.75, which is a little much.
Injuries
Louisville: S Daniel Covington (foot), WR Doug Beaumont (concussion), questionable; QB Justin Burke (chest), probable; CB Karldell Dunning (groin), doubtful.
UConn: LB Scott Lutrus, LB, Kijuan Dabney (shoulder),S John Yurek (knee), T Jimmy Bennett (knee), RB Kelmetrus Wylie (arm), DT Beau Brunelli (suspension), out.
Of Note
Last season, Louisville recorded 507 yards of offense against UConn (compared to the Huskies' 279) but the Cardinals had three turnovers. Lawrence Wilson had the biggest, returning one for a touchdown in the closing minutes to seal a 26-21 win.
MC, I have an email out to a friend in Toledo. I'm sure he'll be at the game. I just need him to check his blackberry and respond. I'll also look for an update in the blade every 30 minutes or so.
Tonight against Northern Illinois, the Rockets (3-3, 1-1 MAC) know they'll need to come out with a higher level of intensity at kickoff and give a better effort if they want to stay in contention in the Mid-American Conference West Division.
The Huskies (3-2, 1-0) enter with the top rushing attack in the conference, gaining more than 200 yards per game on the ground.
NIU has two quality running backs at its disposal. Me'co Brown is second in the MAC with 465 rushing yards, while Chad Spann leads the conference with 10 touchdowns this season - nine on the ground.
UT's defense, which ranks 11th in the MAC in run defense, allowing 188.8 yards per game on the ground, must perform better than it has, especially with the possibility of the Rockets having a newcomer behind center.
Senior quarterback Aaron Opelt is still "questionable" with a bruised right shoulder, and if he can't play, freshman Austin Dantin will get the start.
Even after a crushing defeat last weekend and the uncertainty regarding Opelt's playing status, the Rockets know what's at stake tonight.
"We still control our own destiny," UT coach Tim Beckman said. "We happen to play Northern Illinois this week, and we have to win that football game to stay in the hunt to be a conference champ."
The Huskies (3-2, 1-0) enter with the top rushing attack in the conference, gaining more than 200 yards per game on the ground.
NIU has two quality running backs at its disposal. Me'co Brown is second in the MAC with 465 rushing yards, while Chad Spann leads the conference with 10 touchdowns this season - nine on the ground.
UT's defense, which ranks 11th in the MAC in run defense, allowing 188.8 yards per game on the ground, must perform better than it has, especially with the possibility of the Rockets having a newcomer behind center.
Senior quarterback Aaron Opelt is still "questionable" with a bruised right shoulder, and if he can't play, freshman Austin Dantin will get the start.
Even after a crushing defeat last weekend and the uncertainty regarding Opelt's playing status, the Rockets know what's at stake tonight.
"We still control our own destiny," UT coach Tim Beckman said. "We happen to play Northern Illinois this week, and we have to win that football game to stay in the hunt to be a conference champ."
Also remember that he was downgraded from probable. As of thurs. he had a lot of pain in his throwing shoulder. My gut says he isn't going but don't hold me to that. The freshman had a solid game when he came in last week. He threw for 3 Tds after a rocky start.
I am on NIU heavy today and while the QB factor is a factor, I like NIU for many other reasons than that. They are just a way better defensive team.
I am on NIU heavy today and while the QB factor is a factor, I like NIU for many other reasons than that. They are just a way better defensive team.
MC, My buddy got back to me so I just C&P the meat and potatoes of his message.
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"Mark
As for Opelt, my guess is he won't play. Beckman is playing his cards pretty close to the vest, but he said Aaron was still experiencing pain in his shoulder when he tried to throw during the middle of the week.
Austin was practiced all week with the first-team offense, so that also leads me to believe he will start."
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Nothing there that we didn't already know as of now.
Its sure looking like this will be the very dreaded game time decision. This guy is a very reliable source so I trust his opinion very much.
If anything else comes down the line I will let you know.
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"Mark
As for Opelt, my guess is he won't play. Beckman is playing his cards pretty close to the vest, but he said Aaron was still experiencing pain in his shoulder when he tried to throw during the middle of the week.
Austin was practiced all week with the first-team offense, so that also leads me to believe he will start."
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Nothing there that we didn't already know as of now.
Its sure looking like this will be the very dreaded game time decision. This guy is a very reliable source so I trust his opinion very much.
If anything else comes down the line I will let you know.
Louisville Sucks Really Really bad this year, do not bet on them, save your money, if anything bet against them as much as you can...:s2:
Anyone got a good coach we can have?
Anyone got a good coach we can have?
