Connecticut Huskies 2016 NCAA Football Preview
CONNECTICUT HUSKIES
American Athletic Conference – East Division
2015 Record – 6-7
ATS – 5-8
2016 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating Rank
East Division #4
Conference #5
2015 Recap
The Huskies made some nice strides in Bob Diaco’s 2nd season with the team as they won six games and made a bowl game for the first time since the 2010 Fiesta Bowl (YES – they DID play in the Fiesta Bowl). They played Missouri and USF tough and handed Houston their only defeat of the season. Things are looking up in Storrs.
2016 Preview
OFFENSE
The offense has not scored more than 18 points per game since the 2011 season (24.3). The Huskies bring back 10 (!) starters to the unit and look to have a very good ground and pound style offense in 2016. QB Bryant Shirreffs is a lot more effective than people give him credit for and we think he is a nice fit for what the Huskies want to do on offense. He is not flashy, but has some nice mobility, and now has the benefit of a more experienced WR group.
Leading rusher Arkeel Newsome returns along with an offensive line is going to be a handful for opposing front sevens. They are experienced and have a lot of size. And height ! Four projected starters are listed at 6-6 or taller. Not sure that means anything. Just interesting that they are a known as a basketball school.
With a strong running game and efficient QB play we can see the Huskies scoring a lot more points than they did last year. At least enough to keep them competitive in every game.
DEFENSE
Connecticut had the 2nd ranked total defense in the AAC (Temple) last season and were the #1 scoring defense. They look to be strong again in 2016. The DL has some good size at tackle but overall need to put more pressure on the QB. The LB unit is sound and gets Florida St transfer EJ Levenberry to add to the mix. The secondary looks fantastic. CB Jamar Summers was a 1st Team AAC performer last year.
SPECIAL TEAMS
PK Bobby Puyol made a robot-esque 16/18 FGs last year. Other than that, the unit featured a lot of disappointment as they finished at or near the bottom of the AAC in net punting, punt returns and kickoff returns.
MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 9.5
MEGALOCKS says:
We have had always had a soft spot for this program. The Pasqualoni era was tough to watch but the Huskies look to be developing into the kind of team we like to back against the point spread. The schedule looks very manageable with seven home games, and to be honest, there does not look like an automatic loss anywhere on the docket. Playing at Houston and USF will not be easy but injuries, luck and whatever else aside, they played both of those teams tough last year.
Overall, we give the HUSKIES a 9.5 ATS Value Rating (Boom) this season. Sign us up. Obviously it will depend on getting a good price like it always does, but we just do not see people lining up to back this team ATS as they are not flashy. Temple covered nine games against the point spread in 2015 and this Connecticut squad looks very similar in terms of talent and toughness.
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