The 2018 spring college football rankings, taking the first look at the Connecticut Huskies.
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No. 112: Connecticut Huskies
Spring Practice Starts: March 5
Spring Game: April 14
Connecticut Spring Status
Randy Edsall will need a little time to create what he did the first time around with the program, but last season showed just how much work needs to be done.
The offense sputtered as the year went on, the defense struggled, and into a seventh straight losing season and a second straight 3-9 year.
There’s enough back on offense to assume things will start to be better with a good, sharp offseason, but the defense needs a ton of work up front. It’s still going to be a long process, but considering last season could’ve easily have been 5-7 with a few right bounces, it might not take too much to make a big boost forward.
Connecticut Biggest Depth Chart Battle
Pass rusher/defensive line. The front three is gone after a struggle of a season with just 23 sacks and not enough plays behind the line. On the plus side, now a slew of new parts get to rise up and show what they can do this offseason. However, 19 of the 23 sacks have to be replaced, including losing Cole Ormsby and Luke Carrezola on the end.
Connecticut Biggest Issue
The defense has to be far, far better. And again, it has to be done with new guys, losing six starters including star safety Jamar Summers, three of the top four tacklers and five of the top eight done. Edsall’s defenses were solid in his first go-round, but last year’s was the third worst in college football, allowing 519 yards per game.
Connecticut Biggest Positive
The running backs are in place. The offensive line didn’t provide any help, but the freshmen running backs rose up to lead the team. Kevin Mensah and Nate Hopkins were the main men, and QB David Pindell can move, too.
Really, Why Are The Connecticut Huskies Ranked Here?
The team will be better. The quarterback play needs to be sharper, the O line has to give everyone time, and a whole lot of new players have to be special on the defensive side. But Edsall should be able to make this whole thing work again with a little bit of time, but first, this spring and this offseason have to find more playmakers.
