Why do so many people think MD is going to be a pushover game?

[thatguyed]

http://cfn.scout.com/2/1184150.html

I understand the emotional side of it and it should be a winnable game, but we're on the road and at least one reasonably solid source (link above) has both of us right in the middle of the 70's in their rankings.

Other rankings I've seen online aren't that far down yet and UConn and MD haven't appeared, so no one sees them completely sucking. Or us for that matter.

Beyond the emotion - and the g*dawful uniforms and fugly new field design - let's keep it real. This is a key OOC game.

Thoughts?

 

[pj]

Agreed. I think it's a push but Maryland will be favored by the oddsmakers. Although a bunch of players left, Edsall still has as much talent as he had at UConn, the players who remain are those who buy into his system, they've had a year in it, it's at Maryland. I think it will be basically UConn 2012 vs UConn 2009-2010. May the better UConn win!

I think if we have turnover parity, we do win.

 

[defense]

While I agree that this will be a tough game for us, I can tell you that there are still a decent number of players on the MD team that do not care for Edsall. Some upper classmen are just going to play out their last year or two. Yes, 20+ players are gone, but they are all not drinking the kool-aid.

 

[ibleedhuskyblue]

without reading the post....just the title-

because they're awful

 

[businesslawyer]

1. I must say, I haven't seen a consensus that this board thinks Maryland will be a pushover game. In our history we have won a whopping four road games against OOC BCS opponents (Iowa State, Duke, Wake Forest and Indiana). Why would anyone take the game for granted.

2. Both Maryland and UConn will be hard to predict going into this year, because, among other factors, each underperformed their talent levels last year following a coaching change. Will both schools be stuck building from 2011's results, or will either catch on to what their staffs are preaching and revert to previous levels.

 

[pj]

Looking at his rankings, at least we'll have opportunities to beat ranked teams this year. He has Rutgers, NC State, and Louisville in the top 25.

 

[uconndogs]

Agree on this. There is talent there. That said, Edsall may have already lost this team. That team laid down against NCSt to end last last season. If Edsall can bring them around then they migh be servicable this season. There is the possibility that the program is a train wreck.

 

[uconndogs]

1. I must say, I haven't seen a consensus that this board thinks Maryland will be a pushover game. In our history we have won a whopping four road games against OOC BCS opponents (Iowa State, Duke, Wake Forest and Indiana). Why would anyone take the game for granted.

Baylor and that school in South Bend?

 

[businesslawyer]

Baylor and that school in South Bend?

Wow. OFf by 50%. Thank you for the correction.

 

[Rjc32563]

It may not officially be an away game but beating South Carolina in Birmingham certainly had the feel of an away game. lol

 

[Waquoit]

It may not officially be an away game but beating South Carolina in Birmingham certainly had the feel of an away game. lol

It wasn't that bad. I thought a ton of USC fans left early. Turns out they moved out of the shade to sit behind the UConn fans.

 

[freescooter]

I think most people think that Maryland was a trainwreck last year and lost a bunch of players on top of that. There is a sense that they will continue to struggle, and we will be improved. plus we won't have to defend against the pass. Edsall doesn't believe in it. I think for religious reasons...

 

[john2153]

The Pre-Snap Read blog did Maryland's preview yesterday:

http://www.presnapread.com/no-86-maryland/

They probably will be better than last year (it can't get much worse), but it is a winnable game for us. Apparently their QB can't throw....sounds all too familiar...

 

[Sean]

The 2nd year of a new coach is almost always better. With that being said, that comment applies to both teams.

 

[ConnHuskBask]

Who on the Boneyard has said this is going to be a pushover game?

Christ - I'm not willing to say any road game for UConn is a pushover.

 

[CTMike]

Just as much as each game on the schedule is winnable, each is loseable too. How's that for profound. haha

 

[UConnDan97]

Just as much as each game on the schedule is winnable, each is loseable too. How's that for profound. haha

 

[uconnfan68]

1. I must say, I haven't seen a consensus that this board thinks Maryland will be a pushover game. In our history we have won a whopping four road games against OOC BCS opponents (Iowa State, Duke, Wake Forest and Indiana). Why would anyone take the game for granted.

2. Both Maryland and UConn will be hard to predict going into this year, because, among other factors, each underperformed their talent levels last year following a coaching change. Will both schools be stuck building from 2011's results, or will either catch on to what their staffs are preaching and revert to previous levels.

Why wouldn't you consider Notre Dame with the other 4? It's not like they are in OUR conference.

 

[businesslawyer]

Why wouldn't you consider Notre Dame with the other 4? It's not like they are in OUR conference.

As stated above, I stupidly left out Notre Dame and Baylor

 

[jbdphi]

Who on the Boneyard has said this is going to be a pushover game?

Christ - I'm not willing to say any road game for UConn is a pushover.

That whole "early predictions for the 2012 season" thread involved a lot of "Maryland - win" comments in it. That may have driven it.

Of course, what fan goes into the season predicting that their team will lose a game like that? The guy who bets on the No Pass line at the casino. Yeah, that guy.

 

[TouchdownHusky]

No road game against a BCS opponent should ever be taken for granted by the Huskies. And, no game against an ACC team should ever be taken for granted. UConn's two most important games this season will be against Maryland and NC State. Important to look like they'd be a great addition to the ACC. Can't afford to "lay an egg" in either of these games.

 

[Waquoit]

Just as much as each game on the schedule is winnable, each is loseable too. How's that for profound?

Very true. Like they say, you can't lose if you don't play.

 

[NEforceUConn]

Because Maryland's coach sucks?



Just kidding - couldn't resist