Welcome to game two of the Paul Pasqualoni Era, although really a drab 35-3 win over Fordham hardly counts for much. Tonight, UConn will face its first opponent with a pulse when they take on Vanderbilt, out of the SEC.
Is UConn as conservative as it looked against Fordham? One would think not. But the outcome of the quarterback "competition" should become much clearer tonight. Johnny McEntee has the accuracy and the vision to be a starting quarterback (in my opinion), but his biggest weakness is his mobility and pocket presence. Playing against real-live defensive linemen capable of making McEntee pay should help us get a better read on his viability as a starter.
We'll also see a little Scott McCummings, I suppose, although he was a bit underwhelming (against a I-AA defense) with his package of plays last week.
At running back, Lyle McCombs put up big numbers last week; we'll see if that can continue, and if D.J. Shoemate can make an impact after returning from injury.
We're going to learn a lot more about UConn tonight; hopefully, we learn that UConn is not going to finish 3-9.
Vandy fans seem hyped about an improved offense, and the Commodores will be out to prove something under first-year coach James Franklin.
Elsewhere, it's been a bit of a bloodbath for the Big East today, with Louisville and Rutgers going down, Cincinnati well behind, and Syracuse, Pittsburgh and West Virginia struggling to get by Division I-AA opponents. Here's hoping that the Huskies can buck that trend and pick up a win over a BCSish school.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m., and you can check it out on SNY or ESPN3. This will be your open thread for discussion throughout the game.
Let's go Huskies.