If I were putting money on it - Cincinnati Sports Forums

JMart · #1 (**permalink**) 09-24-2006, 01:00 AM

I'd pick UC to win next weekend. They lost 34-14 today to Syracuse.

I haven't seen a Miami team this overwhelmed in more than 11 years. Sure, part of it is injuries, but they've had time to compensate for that. If Jared Elliot were healthy, I'd say give him a start at QB, but he's coming back from shoulder surgery and the other backup, Dan Raudabaugh is a redshirt freshman, and I'm not sure if he's ready to take the reigns - after all, the big problem on offense is that Kokal is being asked to do too much in his first year as a starter.

The team is also VERY, very young. I think they have two seniors on offense (Ryne Robinson and I'm assuming someone else, but I can't think of who) and three on defense (Dontae Wright, Joey Card, Frank Wiwo). I'm also starting to wonder if Shane Montgomery was the right pick for this team. Yes, he was who the players wanted and already had tremendous respect for...but he's not Terry Hoeppner. Frankly I would have felt better about them hiring Montgomery if they'd done a nationwide search and then decided he was their guy.

Either way, I know they have like 7 games left, but if they don't turn things around soon, there's not going to be much to look forward to.

Tedesco · #2 (**permalink**) 09-24-2006, 01:18 AM

You forgot to mention they were beaten by the MAC leading Kent State Golden Flashes.

JMart · #3 (**permalink**) 09-24-2006, 08:41 PM

That's when you know it's scraping the bottom of the barrel. However, Kent has been playing better than I've seen Kent play since I started following the MAC in 1995.

Franny · #4 (**permalink**) 09-24-2006, 10:37 PM

Quote:

They lost 34-14 today to Syracuse.

You act like the sky is falling because they lost to Syracuse. You have to realize the difference between this year's Orange team and last year is like night and day. Syracuse hung with a VERY talented Iowa team (well, Iowa was missing Tate but still). My point is they aren't bad. Despite Kent's ass whoopin' to BG yesterday, I'd still say the loss to the Golden Flashes AT HOME was a more back breaking loss.

Things are not going well in Oxford but they'll still pull out a win over UC (unless UC finally realizes there are 60 minutes in a football game

)

JMart · #5 (**permalink**) 09-25-2006, 03:06 PM

Franny, you're right, I forgot about the Iowa game. I knew Syracuse was improved, but I sorta forgot how much better they actually are this year. That said, maybe I wouldn't put money on the Bearcats - that's a game where literally the records don't matter.

Franny · #6 (**permalink**) 09-25-2006, 03:10 PM

I will bring this up on Wednesday on Unabated but don't ya think this is a MUST win for both teams? Not only because of the rivalry but because Miami is 0-4 and UC really doesn't have a shot at beating any more opponents this year outside S. Florida and UCONN (I think they will lose to Akron)

Rickspics - What do you think about the UC/UCONN matchup?

rickspics · #7 (**permalink**) 09-25-2006, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franny

Rickspics - What do you think about the UC/UCONN matchup?

ah..I haven't had a chance to see the Bearcats play I've had them on TV back here the last two weeks and I missed both games due to shooting other football games. UConn lost to Cincinnati on the road last year, in a game they should have won but they suffered a bunch of catastrophic injuries in that game and never recovered. That game flushed their season last year as they lost 3 guys that day for the year and a 4th didn't play until the season finale.

I will tell you that UConn has the 7th best defense in the country. They are absolutely stuffing the run. The line and the linebackers are really ganging up in the box and juts shutting it down. Pas defense wise they are prone to a long play or two. The cover guys don't seem to be as talented and as deep as the other 7 slots.

Offensively, they are really sputtering after this weekend. I think they went three and out the first 5 times they had the ball against Indiana on Saturday. The team only managed 14 points and 7 of those came on a pick. The week before against Wake Forest (ACC) they totally dominated them offensively but they had a few errors that cost the game. Turnovers and a lack of creativity right now are killing the Huskies offensively. Saturday their starting QB D.J. Hernandez hurt his wrist (he broke it against Cincy last year) and I don't know what his status is for the game this week. His back up is a senior who started about half the games last season. Their running game is pretty solid with Terry Caulley who is doing well this year.

Special teams for UConn are on both ends of the spectrum. The kicking game is suspect, the field goal kicker is WEAK and the punter is average at best. BUT the return guy, Larry Taylor is SPECTACULAR. He's small, fast and very elusive, kind of a Desmond Howard kind of guy and he threatens to break it just about every time he touches the ball.

Coaching is pretty good although the offensive play calling at times the last two weeks has been suspect.

Franny · #8 (**permalink**) 09-26-2006, 02:56 PM

Quote:

I will tell you that UConn has the 7th best defense in the country.

That's a bold statement man.

Maybe the Wednesday before the UC/UCONN game you be a guest on Unabated Sports and J'Mart and Woody can discuss the matchup with you? What do you say?

rickspics · #9 (**permalink**) 09-26-2006, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franny

Maybe the Wednesday before the UC/UCONN game you be a guest on Unabated Sports and J'Mart and Woody can discuss the matchup with you? What do you say?

I'd be up for it

rickspics · #10 (**permalink**) 09-26-2006, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickspics

I will tell you that UConn has the 7th best defense in the country.

My bad after a few other games on Saturday they dropped to 10th in the nation for total defense.

http://web1.ncaa.org/d1mfb/natlRank....def&sit e=org

they are 35th against the run which I thought was WAY BETTER and they are 9th against the pass which I thought was WAY WORSE.