College Football News Preview 2020: UConn Huskies Keys To The Season
Biggest Key To The UConn Huskies Offense
The passing game has to show up. The ground attack wasn’t bad two years ago, and it had its moments last season, but the inconsistencies throwing the ball have been a massive problem.
Yeah, the team managed to hit the 200-yard mark eight times, but that’s mostly because the O had to throw in blowouts. The Huskies only threw 14 touchdowns on the season and had more than one scoring pass in just four games.
There are three decent options at quarterback, and the receivers are fine, but averaging more than eight yards per pass – and being better on third downs – would be massive.
Biggest Key To The UConn Huskies Defense
The defensive front has to stop getting ripped apart. There haven’t been enough tackles for loss, and there’s not enough pressure in the backfield, but forget about any improvement overall unless there’s something happening consistently against a decent ground game. Offenses are getting way too many easy second and third down chances, and it all snowballs from there.
The Husky D wasn’t as bad as it was in 2018 – allowing over 4,000 rushing yards with 45 touchdowns – but it still gave up close to six yards per carry, 34 scores, and was hit for 200 rushing yards or more in seven of the last nine games.
Key UConn Huskies Player To A Successful Season
DT Caleb Thomas, Jr.
Travis Jones has next-level potential at one tackle, but he needs more help inside. The 6-0, 287-pound Thomas has enough starting experience, and just enough size, to start being more than a part of the rotation. The line needs steady producers – the opportunity is there for Thomas to make a massive impact.
Key Game To The UConn Huskies Season
Old Dominion, Oct. 3
If there’s any hope of coming up with a decent season, the Huskies have to beat UMass in the opener, and then take down Old Dominion a few weeks later. There are just enough winnable games on the slate to push for four wins or more for the first time since 2015.
Beat the Monarchs, don’t slip against Maine a week later, and they’ll have three wins with Liberty, San Jose State, and Middle Tennessee still to face.
– UConn Huskies Schedule Breakdown & Analysis
2019 UConn Fun Stats
– 3rd Down Conversions: Opponents 67-of-134 (50%) – UConn 48-of-163 (39%)
– Points Per Game: Opponents 40.5 – UConn 18.9
– 3rd Quarter Scoring: Opponents 136 – UConn 45