After a road trip to Kentucky, Tennessee returns to Knoxville for a homecoming matchup against Connecticut at Neyland Stadium.
Tennessee’s final non conference matchup of the season comes at an opportune time. The Vols are coming off three straight SEC games out of the open date and will play three more to end the season after the UConn game.
UConn has gone from one of the worst teams in FBS football to decent under Jim Mora. Let’s take a look at what the Huskies could be in Mora’s second season as head coach.
What Happened in 2022
UConn went 10-50 in the five seasons before Jim Mora became the Huskies’ head coach last season. The longtime NFL coach immediately took UConn back to competence with a 6-6 season that ended with a loss against Marshall in in the Myrtle Beach Bowl.
While 2022 was definitively a step in the right direction for UConn, its six wins came against Utah State, Central Connecticut, Fresno State, Florida International, Boston College, UMass and Liberty.
The Huskies played three power five teams in 2022, defeating Boston College while losing to North Carolina State 41-10 and Michigan 59-0.
UConn took a major step in the right direction in Mora’s first season but was still far away from competing with strong power five teams. Mora and the Huskies are looking for continued improvement in 2023.
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2023 Offense Outlook
Penn State transfer quarterback Ta’Quan Robertson led UConn’s offense to a touchdown on the first drive of the 2022 season. He suffered a season ending injury on the second drive.
Zion Turner replaced Robertson at quarterback for the rest of the season, completing 58% of his passes for 1,407 yards, nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Turner is back this season but Robertson is expected to regain his starting position behind center.
UConn’s running game was balanced last season with four running backs totaling over 370 yards. Two of those running backs are back including top two rushers Victor Rosa (636 yards) and Devontae Houston (578 yards). Junior Brian Brewton missed time last season with an injury but should factor again this season.
As Turner’s numbers indicate, UConn’s passing game was poor a season ago and most of the Huskies top receivers from a season ago are gone. Kevens Clercius is the leading returning receiver, catching 24 passes for 288 yards and one touchdown.
2023 Defense Outlook
UConn’s defense ranked 62nd nationally a season ago, giving up just over 26 points per game. The Huskies rushing defense was porous a season ago ranking 93rd nationally while their pass defense was better, ranking 43rd nationally.
Linebacker Mitchell Jackson was UConn’s best player a season ago putting up unbelievable numbers. Jackson is back for another season after totaling 140 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception.
Both of UConn’s top pass rushers from last season are back including Eric Watts (seven sacks) and Pryce Yates (4.5 sacks).
While UConn returns an abundance of its top contributors in the front seven, they have to replace a number of its top contributors in the secondary.
Prediction
UConn is a much more challenging matchup than it looked like a few years ago when the Huskies were one of the worst FBS football programs.
While the Huskies are no longer a laughing stock, they’re a long way from going on the road and beating a top 15 team. Homecoming is free of drama in Knoxville. Tennessee rolls UConn inside Neyland Stadium
Tennessee 56, UConn 20
One Response
Liberty was ranked 19 when Uconn Beat them last year.
They are on their way to being relevant again. Over ten years with terrible coaching.
Tennessee can relate to that.