2012 Program Preview - Connecticut

The early returns on the Paul Pasqualoni era in Storrs were confusingly unimpressive, despite Pasqualoni’s war on photogenic-ness (it’s a bold statement when your wikipedia photo is of your back). Following the storied career of Randy Edsall as UConn’s head coach (who is also not immune from Wikipedia’s photo games -- RANGOON!), it was not going to be easy going early. Still, that 2-4 start was hardly up to the standard the program had set in the previous four years.

To summarize - it’s pretty much what you would expect from a Pasqualoni team in year two.

After the jump, the prospects worth noting as well as some games and matchups to pencil into your calendar.

The UConn Blog (SBN Connecticut community), SB Nation team page, official team site, Bill Connelly’s preview for SBN, CBS Sports preview

There’s enough NFL-caliber talent to be successful in the Big East. The Huskies’ problem is that the holes are deep. Quarterback, offensive line, safety (especially after Jerome Junior’s suspension) - it’s likely going to be hard to put up points consistently unless someone steps up in spectacular fashion.

This season is largely framed by Pasqualoni’s presence and his ability to shed the legacy of Randy Edsall for his own.

On one hand, you have that pairing to be played out on the field with the UConn-Maryland game in Week 3. On one hand, Pasqualoni has to prove to the Huskies’ base that he can continue to help develop the program as well as Edsall had since they made the jump to FBS football in 2000. On the other, Edsall has as much to prove himself with the litany of transfers and the failure of 2011.

If that matchup is about setting the tone for the future of UConn football, Pasqualoni and Edsall all at once, the Syracuse game is a nod to Pasqualoni’s past. Born and bred in Connecticut (personally and professionally), he made his name as the Syracuse head coach from 1991-2004 overseeing the Orange’s longest period of sustained success (yes, even over Ben Schwartzwalder).

The juxtaposition is stark. Past vs. future. Success and failure. It’s what makes college football games that have nothing to do with the top 25 so compelling.

The coaching storyline is in place with the aforementioned Pasqualoni issues facing off against Rutgers’ new head coach Kyle Flood taking over after Greg Schiano took the program higher than it had ever been in his 11 year run. Between the sidelines, this game could well come down to the running games of each team.

For Rutgers, that means the unpredictable combo of Jamison (whose weight issues derailed his commitment early in his career) and Huggins (who was as heralded as any Rutgers recruit as I can remember) will be at the fore for the Scarlet Knights. On the other hand, we know what we’re getting out of Connecticut’s linebacking corps given their experience. This is a key Big East unit matchup worth watching.

Fun fact: B.J. Daniels has been the quarterback at South Florida since 1946. It feels that way at least.

USF is much deeper this year and should improve after a disappointing 2011. That being said, if UConn wants to play spoiler in early November, their secondary is going to have to limit the Bulls the passing game. It’s a tall task both because of Daniels but also because the USF WR depth chart is a good seven or eight names deep.