Scouting The Opposition: Week 3

You know what they say: the best things in life are bi-weekly. Welcome back to Scouting the Opposition, where we compile everything you need to know about UConn's 2012 football opponents. New for this week, we've added links to the Husky opponents' SBNation representatives (where applicable), so you can get the full scoop on each team. If you click on the teams' most recent games, that will take you to those sites' most recent game recap.

Five of UConn's 12 opponents have sub-.500 records through Week 3, although three of those five are non-conference opponents and the fourth pounded a top 15 team this week.

Through three weeks, UConn's opponents have a combined record of 18-15.

1. UMass (0-3, 0-0 MAC)

Last week: L, 13-63 at #18 Michigan (3-0)

Next week: at Miami, Ohio (1-2, 0-0 MAC) - Saturday, noon on ESPN3

Of note: UMass is veddy veddy bad, folks. Not unexpected for a team with FCS talent in its first year of moving up, but boy, we're not going to look back fondly at the time UConn scored two offensive touchdowns on the Minutemen.

2. North Carolina State (2-1, 0-0 ACC)

Last week: W, 31-7 vs. South Alabama (1-2)

Next week: vs. The Citadel (3-0) - Saturday, 6 p.m., on ESPN3

Of note: No joke, The Citadel is decent this year. They've beaten a couple of 'name' FCS teams, Georgia Southern and Appalachian State, the last two weeks, and the ACC is overdue for an FCS upset. On the other hand, I'd like NC State to end the year 12-1.

3. Maryland (1-2, 0-0 ACC)

Last week: L, 21-24 vs. UConn (2-1)

Next week: at #8 West Virginia (3-0) - Saturday, noon on FX

Of note: I think Randy Edsall has a pretty good record historically against West Virginia, right?

4. Western Michigan (1-2, 0-0 MAC)

Last week: L, 23-28 at Minnesota (3-0)

Next week: vs. UConn (2-1) - Saturday, 2 p.m. on ESPN3

Of note: Minnesota led the entire way, and led by two scores until a WMU TD with 4:18 left made the game close. Bronco QB Alex Carder appeared to find a go-to target Saturday, hitting freshman wideout Jaime Wilson 10 times for 117 yards and a touchdown. Dareyon Chance rushed for 144 yards in the losing effort.

5. Buffalo (1-1, 0-0 MAC)

Last week: Bye week, kind of

Next week: vs. Kent State (1-1, 0-0 MAC) - Wednesday, 7 p.m., ESPNU

Of note: The Bulls' win came via a 56-34 win over Morgan State last weekend. Buffalo kicks off the wonderful tradition of Wednesday night #MACTION against Kent State. First to 60 wins.

6. Rutgers (3-0, 1-0 Big East)

Last week W, 23-13 at South Florida (2-1, 0-1)

Next week: at Arkansas (1-2), 7 p.m. on ESPNU

Of note: Part of me wants to root for Rutgers to beat up on a hysterically overrated SEC team, but then I realize how insufferable that would make Rutgers fans. The Scarlet Knight defense is very good, and their offense (Jawan Jamison's Thursday night aside) is something less than very good, which means their October 6 game with UConn will be won by a 4-3 score.

7. Temple (1-1, 0-0 Big East)

Last week: Bye week

Next week: at Penn State (1-2) - Saturday, 3:30 p.m. on ABC/ESPN2

Of note: With Temple upgrading its program and Penn State going through its troubles, one would think the Owls will eventually beat the Nittany Lions. They haven't done it since 1941 (Penn State leads the series 37-3-1). I wonder what kind of recruiting impact a Temple win this year might have...

8. Syracuse (1-2, 0-0 Big East)

Last week: W, 28-17 vs. Stony Brook (2-1)

Next week: at Minnesota (3-0) - Saturday, 8 p.m. on Big Ten Network

Of note: I feel like Syracuse could be a darkhorse contender in the Big East solely on the strength of the only non-Louisville quarterback with the capacity to complete passes more than 10 yards down the field, Ryan Nassib. I also feel like there might be a play later this year where all 11 Orange players on the field just fall down after colliding with each other for no particular reason.

9. South Florida (2-1, 0-1 Big East)

Last week: L, 13-23 vs. Rutgers (3-0, 1-0)

Next week: at Ball State (2-1) - Saturday, 4:30 p.m. on SNY

Of note: So if South Florida played a Thursday night game at Rentschler Field in December, would UConn score 100 points just on the fumble recoveries, interceptions and kick returns alone?

10. Pittsburgh (1-2, 0-1 Big East)

Last week: W, 35-17 vs. #13 Virginia Tech (2-1)

Next week: vs. Gardner-Webb (0-3) - Saturday, 3:30 p.m. on ESPN3

Of note: lolwut

11. Louisville (3-0, 0-0 Big East; ranked #20 in AP Poll)

Last week: W, 39-34 vs. North Carolina (1-2)

Next week: at Florida International (1-2) - Saturday, 7 p.m. on ESPN3

Of note: I was so happy when UofL went up 36-7 on a depleted UNC team. Someone from the Big East is finally making a statement! Then UNC scored $Texas points in five minutes, and I was sad. Please blow out FIU and Southern Miss, Cards. You're literally our only hope.

12. Cincinnati (2-0, 1-0 Big East)

Last week: W, 23-7 vs. Delaware State

Next week: Bye

Of note: Who were the ad wizards who designed Cincinnati's schedule? Through the first four weeks of the season, they'll have two byes, one FCS game, and one game against a team that was playing like an FCS team (Pitt). Beginning Sept. 29, the Bearcats play 10 straight weeks, which will probably turn out to be an unwise choice. Were they originally supposed to play West Virginia one of these weeks or something?