UConn Huskies Preview 2022: Season Prediction, Breakdown, Key Games, Players

UConn College Football Preview 2022: Team breakdown, season prediction, keys to the campaign, and what you need to know

UConn Huskies Preview 2022: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the UConn season with what you need to know and keys to the season.

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UConn Huskies Preview
Head Coach: Jim Mora Jr., 1st year at UConn
7th year overall, 46-30. 2021 Preview
2021 Record: Overall: 1-11
Keys To The Season | Season Prediction, What Will Happen
UConn Top 10 Players | UConn Schedule

UConn Huskies Preview 2022

UConn wasn’t always totally miserable at college football.

Yes, kids, there really was a time when the Huskies were good enough to get into the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma and bowl games were a regular thing. The program is coming off of ten straight losing seasons as things have gotten worse and worse.

There’s been a little bit of talent here and there – there were more than enough vulture schools out there happy to go pick away at UConn players over the last year – but nothing has worked.

It took a huge effort to get by Yale for the only victory of last year, and a 2020 win over an equally hapless UMass was the lone win over an FBS program since taking down Tulsa in the middle of the 2017 season.

But that’s in the past.

New head coach Jim Mora Jr. is a good head coach who knows what he’s going, but it’s going to take an all-timer of an effort just to get this season off the ground much less be competitive in most of the games.

This is more than just a rebuild, teardown, reboot, or any other way you want to describe what Mora and his staff have to do.

This is starting from scratch, and only positive things can come from it.

UConn Huskies Preview 2022: Offense

UConn had the least efficient passing game in college football, it was the second-worst offense in the nation in total yards, and it was the second-worst scoring attack.

It keeps going.

It came up with the second-least amount of first downs, it was the worst team in America on third downs, it was the second-worst O in yards per pass, and …

Again, the program is starting over. It’s going to get better because 1), it can’t get any worse, 2) the former coaching staff went WAY young and threw a slew of freshmen into the mix, and 3) …

The quarterback play should be okay. Penn State transfer Ta’Quan Roberson struggled when he had his chances, but he’s got the tools, he was a good recruit, and he’ll make the job his from the start with former starter Steven Krajewski off to Georgia State and the other options transferring, too.

Leading receiver Keelan Marion is back – he only caught 28 passes but he got five of the team’s 11 touchdown grabs – and Kevens Clercius and Aaron Turner help round out what might be the team’s biggest early strength. And then there’s Cameron Ross – the 60-catch leading target from 2019 who played just two games in the last two years.

The offensive line is going to be the biggest work in progress. The transfer portal is bringing in the options around veteran guard Noel Ofori-Nyadu and the versatile Christopher Fortin who’ll work somewhere around the inside.

RB Kevin Mensah was a good back who wasn’t used enough. he’s gone, but leading rusher Nate Carter is back after running for 578 yards and two scores.

UConn Huskies Preview 2022: Defense

The offenses was worse, but the defense was plenty bad on its own. The run D has been a problem for years, the secondary got ripped up late last season, and now the team has to go on without star DT Travis Jones – he’s now a Baltimore Raven – and with Lawl Uguak off to TCU.

However, like the offensive side, last year’s coaching staff went young, and how there’s enough experience back across the board to not be starting from scratch. It begins with …

The linebacking corps might not be all that bad. At the very least, there’s experience and quickness starting with leading returning tackler Jackson Mitchell – he made 120 stops last season – helped by the return of second-leading tackler Ian Swenson as a hybrid type of defender, and with Kentucky transfer Marquez Bembry adding some size and thump on the inside.

However …

The defensive front might take a while. There’s no replacing Jones and Uguwak was going to be a bigger factor, and now it’s a smallish, thin line that has to find more options and pass rushers.

The secondary gets all four starters back. Like other areas, this was a young group that took its lumps. Sophomore safety Durante Jones will once again be one of the team’s better tacklers, but overall this group has to come up with more big stops.

Keys To The Season | Season Prediction, What Will Happen
UConn Top 10 Players | UConn Schedule

UConn Huskies: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats NEXT

Pages: 123

UConn vs. Utah State, live stream, TV channel, time, how to watch college football

The UConn Huskies will meet the Utah State Aggies Saturday afternoon in college football action at Maverik Stadium.

UConn will be looking to turn things around after another 3 win season and will look to Jim Mora to give the a boost this season. Meanwhile, Utah State played in the Rose Bowl and will look to repeat this season.

This will be a great day of college football, here is everything you need to know to watch and stream the action on Saturday.

UConn vs. Utah State

When: Saturday, August 27
Time: 4:00 p.m. ET
TV Channel: FS1
Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

How to watch College Football this season

fuboTV has complete NCAA college football coverage (CBS, FOX, ESPN) as well as ACC Network, Big 10 Network, ESPNU, Pac12, and more. fuboTV includes every network you need to watch every college football game in your market.

fuboTV is available on your phone, tablet, desktop, TV, and connected TV devices including Roku. Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV plus many more.

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NCAA Football Odds and Betting Lines

NCAA odds courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook. Odds were updated at 9:00 am ET on Saturday.

UConn vs. Utah State

O/U: 59.5

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Mountain West Football: Examining Each Opponent’s Week 0 Depth Chart

What stands out in the depth charts released by Idaho State, Illinois, UConn, New Mexico State, and Vanderbilt ahead of Week 0?

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Mountain West Football: Examining Each Opponent’s Week 0 Depth Chart

What stands out in the depth charts released by Idaho State, Illinois, UConn, New Mexico State, and Vanderbilt ahead of Week 0?

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What to keep in mind before kickoff.

Idaho State (link to depth chart)

What stands out: The Bengals’ projected starting lineup on offense and defense features 12 different players who are listed as either freshmen or sophomores, as well as each of the six starters listed on special teams.

Why that could be important: Give new ISU head Charlie Ragle some credit, the program isn’t taking any half-measures in building itself back up to respectability. While some familiar names, like former Wyoming quarterback Tyler Vander Waal, center Terron Carey, and linebacker Charles Ike, will bring some much needed veteran leadership, nearly everyone else is in for a crash course through which it seems likely they’ll take a few lumps. For UNLV, it means they should be able to win this game going away if they’re set on making a leap in 2022.

Illinois (link to game notes)

What stands out: Syracuse transfer Tommy DeVito is the likely starter for the Illini at quarterback.

Why that could be important: Illinois hasn’t really had a lot of juice at the game’s most important position since Nate Scheelhaase left in 2013, but DeVito could be the answer that they need at the position and may thrive under the tutelage of new offensive coordinator Barry Lunney Jr., who helped Frank Harris emerge at UTSA.

It’ll be crucial, then, that Wyoming finds a way to create pressure early and test how well DeVito will be able to stand in and make plays. Running back Chase Brown is likely to get his one way or another, so winning the game may depend on the Cowboys limiting damage through the air.

UConn (link to depth chart)

What stands out: With wide receiver Cameron Ross sidelined for the season with a broken foot, the depth chart at the position features three sophomores.

Why that could be important: The quarterback situation, which new head coach Jim Mora deemed as a competition between “four good players that haven’t played a lot”, will grab more headlines, but whoever emerges from that scrum is going to need reliable targets. Ross, the team’s leading pass catcher back in 2019, was expected to re-establish himself as a potential number one though it appears now that’ll fall again to Keelan Marion, who paced the Huskies in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns last season.

Kevens Clericus, the projected starter opposite Marion, did have 20 catches in 2021 while grad transfer Nigel Fitzgerald did get some playing time himself at Old Dominion. For Utah State’s purposes, it clarifies who the defense is likely to prioritize in shutting down the UConn offense.

New Mexico State (link to depth chart)

What stands out: A couple of familiar names appear in the secondary’s two deep. Former UNLV safety Bryce Jackson is listed as a starter opposite sophomore Dylan Early, while former Colorado State cornerback Linwood Crump is expected to provide some depth.

Why that could be important: The strength of the Aggies defense is at linebacker, but they still gave up far too many big plays in 2021 and that is something about which Nevada is almost certainly familiar. Cornerbacks Syrus Dumas and D.J. McCullough combined for five interceptions last season, but the rest of the defense had five interceptions combined. Don’t be shocked if the Wolf Pack try to test the transfer-reinforced secondary early.

Vanderbilt (link to depth chart)

What stands out: Mike Wright, named as the starting quarterback, will have some young wide receivers to throw to after Will Sheppard in sophomore Quincy Skinner and freshman Jayden McGowan.

Why that could be important: The Commodores aren’t wasting time surrounding their new QB1 with the weapons they’ve deemed most reliable, but neither Skinner nor McGowan have caught a pass at the FBS level yet. That’s not to say both can’t step up and contribute as expected — Skinner was previously part of a state championship team at Florida’s St. Thomas Aquinas while McGowan was a track star and deep threat receiver in his home state of South Carolina — but Hawaii’s veteran-laden secondary will get a decent test right away.

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UConn Huskies Top 10 Players: College Football Preview 2022

Who are the top 10 UConn players going into the 2022 college football season?

UConn Huskies Preview 2022: Who are the top 10 players going into the season?

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UConn Huskies Preview
UConn Offense, Defense Breakdown | Keys To The Season
Season Prediction, What Will Happen | UConn Schedule

2022 NFL draft: Travis Jones scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about UConn defensive lineman Travis Jones

A fast-rising prospect since the Senior Bowl, UConn nose tackle Travis Jones will look to capitalize on his performance in Mobile as he enters the 2022 NFL draft.

Here is everything you need to know about the Huskies’ massive interior defender:

Houston vs. UConn Prediction, Game Preview

Houston vs. UConn prediction, game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win this Saturday.

Houston vs. UConn prediction, game preview, how to watch: Saturday, November 27

Houston vs. UConn How To Watch

Date: Saturday, November 27
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Pratt & Whitney Stadium, East Hartford, CT
How To Watch: CBS Sports Network
Record: Houston (10-1), UConn (1-10)
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– All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Houston vs UConn Game Preview

Why Houston Will Win

Get this over with very, very quickly.

The Cougars have to use this as a chance to get the backups tuned up for the future and can’t be stressed too much with the American Athletic Conference championship against Cincinnati up next. Win that, and at 12-1 they’d be the conference champs and, most likely, would be in the a New Year’s Six game.

But first they have to get by UConn.

The Huskies have the least-efficient passing game in college football, they don’t move the chains at all, and they can’t score. They haven’t hit more than 13 points against anyone but Yale in the last five games.

Houston’s defense might not let UConn convert one third down try.

– College Football Expert Picks, CFN Week 13

Why UConn Will Win

Houston will be about as unfocused as a team can get.

This game doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. Cincinnati got its game with East Carolina over with on Friday and has an extra day to rest up and prepare. Houston head coach Dana Holgorsen would love to give his team that break as soon as possible.

The Houston offensive front has been shaky in pass protection, there have been defensive lapses – like in shootouts against USF and SMU – and then there’s the weather.

It’s going to be in the 30s at game time. It’s not exactly balmy in Houston right now, but 25 degrees colder to this team will matter a bit.

– NFL Expert Picks, CFN Week 12

What’s Going To Happen

Houston will get up fast with touchdowns on its first three drives. UConn will put together one good scoring drive of its own, but that won’t be nearly enough to keep up.

Holgorsen will get his backups in the game as soon as humanly possible and won’t show Cincinnati anything it can use.

– College Football Schedule: Week 13 Predictions, Lines

Houston vs UConn Prediction, Lines

Houston 44, UConn 10
Line: Houston -33, o/u: 54.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Must See Rating: 1.5

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1: “Why don’t we have Thanksgiving food the rest of the year?”

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UCF vs UConn Prediction, Game Preview

UCF vs UConn prediction, game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win this Saturday.

UCF vs UConn prediction, game preview, how to watch: Saturday, November 20

UCF vs UConn How To Watch

Date: Saturday, November 20
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: Bounce House, Orlando, FL
How To Watch: ESPN+
Record: UCF (6-4), UConn (1-9)
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UCF vs UConn Game Preview

Why UConn Will Win

The UCF offense is fine, but it’s hardly the high-flying fun show we’re all used to with this program.

The team is finding ways to stay alive and come up with a decent season despite losing QB Dillon Gabriel early on, but it’s a struggle for this group to put big points on the board. UConn’s defense hasn’t been totally awful on third downs, and it’s been able to pick off a few passes here and there.

The Huskies have to hope UCF is off, and they need their own passing game to be great like it was against Vanderbilt and Middle Tennessee. But …

– College Football Expert Picks, CFN Week 12

Why UCF Will Win

UConn just doesn’t score.

It managed 13 points or fewer in three of the last four games, and that fourth game was a 21-15 win over Yale.

No, UCF isn’t putting up points in bunches unless it’s playing Temple, but it doesn’t have to be crazy. It can run the ball as much as it wants to against the UConn defensive front, and field position shouldn’t be a problem against an offense that’s the worst in the country on third downs.

It’s going to want to put this game away fast with the rivalry date against USF coming up in short week, and …

– NFL Expert Picks: CFN Week 11

What’s Going To Happen

UCF will score on its first two drives and the defense will take care of the rest.

UConn will come up with a few nice chances, and they won’t work. The UCF defense will be fired up to come up with something big after getting hit by SMU for 55 last week.

– College Football Schedule: Week 12 Predictions, Lines

UCF vs UConn Prediction, Lines

UCF 44, UConn 10
Line: UCF -30, o/u: 55.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 2

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Analysts react to Clemson’s win over UConn

Clemson defeated UConn, 44-7, on Saturday at Death Valley to extend its school record for both the longest home winning streak and longest home unbeaten streak in school history (as well as extend the nation’s longest active home winning streak). On …

On The Huddle on the ACC Network, the network’s analysts reacted to the Tigers’ win that improved their record to 7-3 on the season.

Of course, one of the topics of conversation was Will Swinney’s 6-yard touchdown run on a fake field goal in the first quarter that gave the Tigers their first lead of the game at 10-7.

“How ’bout Will Swinney getting in there … the big man on campus, scoring a touchdown,” former Clemson offensive lineman Eric Mac Lain said.

“Probably going to be the next head coach of the Tigers when it’s all said and done,” Mac Lain added jokingly.

“He’s going to have to wait about 25 years,” former Georgia and Miami head coach Mark Richt quipped back.

Richt discussed the performance of Clemson sophomore quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, who went 21-of-44 passing for a season-high 241 passing yards and threw for a touchdown with one interception.

“Incrementally, he’s getting better and better,” Richt said. “We kind of thought at one time there’d be this Eureka moment where all of a sudden he’d look like he did last year. It hasn’t been that way, but it’s been little by little, he’s getting better and better, which is a good sign.”

With multiple members of Clemson’s receiving corps banged up with injuries, freshmen wideouts Dacari and Beaux Collins stepped up to carry the load against UConn.

Dacari posted career highs with six receptions for 97 yards, while Beaux caught a 32-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, giving him a touchdown catch in back-to-back games for the first time in his career.

“It was good to see him (Uiagalelei) get involved with Beaux Collins, Dacari Collins — these young cats that he has just such a great relationship with, it seems like,” Mac Lain said. “And when you have that, when you feel good about throwing to your guy, good plays happen.”

Clemson will play its final home game of the season this Saturday when the Tigers host Wake Forest (9-1) for Senior Day. Kickoff at Memorial Stadium is scheduled for noon on ESPN.

“Don’t count out this Clemson squad for the Atlantic Race and possibility to get into the conference championship representing the Atlantic,” The Huddle host Jordan Cornette said. “They’re not out of this thing. Far from his best start for D.J. U today vs. UConn, but showing some life and still moments there.”

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Clemson defense, lights out in win over UConn

Clemson shut down UConn in a 44-7 win at Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Tigers kept the Huskies from scoring an offensive touchdown, limited them to 99 yards of total offense and forced two turnovers. The 99 yards are the fewest a …

Clemson shut down UConn in a 44-7 win at Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Tigers kept the Huskies from scoring an offensive touchdown, limited them to 99 yards of total offense and forced two turnovers.

The 99 yards are the fewest a Clemson team allowed by an FBS opponent since it held Boston College to 54 yards in 2009.

Head coach Dabo Swinney expressed his pleasure in the defense for playing a complete game from start to finish.

“Just a really really good day defensively really start to finish we didn’t have any lulls,” Swinney said after the game. “We subbed a lot of guys, it was good to see a lot of guys play and I’m anxious to evaluate them.”

UConn finished the contest with -17 yards rushing as the Tigers recorded six sacks.

Defensive coordinator Brent Venables appreciated the attention to detail by his unit for four quarters even with mass substitutions.

“I loved the passion, the intensity, the preparation and detail,” Venables said. “They had a really determined spirit to them and knew they only had two more opportunities to play at Death Valley this season with the incredible home field advantage.”

One point of emphasis in preparation for this game was getting off the field on third down instead of extending drives.

Clemson allowed zero third down conversions for the first time since 1992 as the Huskies went 0-for-11. The Tigers also forced a turnover on downs four times in the game.

“We were due,” Venables said. “We’ve been talking about third downs being more precise and more situationally intelligent and finishing plays instead of air balling layups. Today was a better look at what it should look like.”

Clemson returns to action next Saturday as it hosts Wake Forest at Memorial Stadium at noon.

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Dacari Collins takes advantage of opportunity out wide with career day

Beaux Collins got his chance to shine last week. On Saturday, it was Clemson’s other receiver with the same last name that got an opportunity. He didn’t let it go to waste. Dacari Collins got in on the action out wide in his most extended playing …

Beaux Collins got his chance to shine last week. On Saturday, it was Clemson’s other receiver with the same last name that got an opportunity.

He didn’t let it go to waste.

Dacari Collins got in on the action out wide in his most extended playing time of the season and turned it into a career day. Dacari led the Tigers in receptions (6) and yards (97) in their 44-7 win over Connecticut at Memorial Stadium, both season-highs for the true freshman.

He was also the most targeted receiver for D.J. Uiagalelei and Taisun Phommachanh with 13 passes thrown his way. Clemson needed it on a day when the depth at that position was further depleted.

“Dacari is really starting to come on,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “He’s kind of growing into it, which is great. … I thought he stepped in and did a great job for us.”

Beaux and Dacari each saw their roles increase in the Tigers’ win at Louisville last week. Beaux had his own career day out of the slot against the Cardinals, and Dacari got more reps than anticipated when Joseph Ngata left in the second half with a foot injury that will keep him out at least a couple of weeks.

Ngata’s injury meant more snaps on the outside for Justyn Ross, who’s played primarily in the slot this season, but Ross was injured late in the first quarter against UConn. He went out with a lower leg injury after being tackled at the tail end of his third and final reception and didn’t return.

It wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing performance for the offense, particularly Uiagalelei, who completed just 21 of 44 passes with a touchdown and an interception in less than three quarters. The Tigers also averaged just 3.1 yards per carry, but Dacari, who had just two catches coming in, provided the offense with some explosion.

He hauled in a 23-yard grab to keep the offense on the field during the Tigers’ first touchdown drive late in the first quarter. With Clemson driving again early in the second quarter, Phommachanh came in the game with the Tigers on UConn’s side of midfield and targeted a one-on-one matchup for Dacari, who adjusted to the back-shoulder throw and came down with a 33-yard reception to set up another touchdown.

“I think his confidence has really, really grown. A game like today is going to do that kid great wonders,” Swinney said. “I thought the way he played last week was a spark for us. Just played though. Played competitive. Played fast. And you see that in practice, so it’s good to see him take it to the game field.”

Clemson’s offense continued to try to use the 6-foot-4, 215-pounder’s size and length to its advantage. Uiagalelei again looked for Dacari in the red zone on the Tigers’ first possession of the third quarter, lofting a pass in his direction near the goal line. Dacari drew a pass-interference penalty after being shoved out of bounds, and Phil Mafah punched it in from 2 yards out on the next play to give Clemson a 37-7 lead.

Dacari didn’t play much after that as the Tigers emptied their bench in the lopsided victory, but it was enough to provide another glimpse into the future out wide for the Tigers.

“Fall in love with the process,” Dacari said. “Coach Swinney is big on trusting the process, and just be patient. That’s what I’ve been doing is working, and I’m just going to continue to work and get better.”

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