FB: 18 Duke 41, UConn 7

[CameronBornAndBred]

With all the excitement of Notre Dame coming to town, it's easy to forget that there is another game to be played.

My two biggest concerns are not getting caught in a trap, and coming home healthy.

[HoKogan]

With all the excitement of Notre Dame coming to town, it's easy to forget that there is another game to be played.

My two biggest concerns are not getting caught in a trap, and coming home healthy.

It was hard to gauge how good UConn was in week 1 since NCSU was clearly keeping things simple for ND the following week. Since then, they got blasted by Ga St and worked by FIU until they made a comeback. I assume they don't have a lot of returning players from last years team.
I don't expect Duke to do with State did, there's a difference between hiding stuff week 1 against an inferior opponent and a big match up the following week vs going into week 4 where you need to make sure you are firing on all cylinders. Because of the basketball rivalry, UConn fans will actually care more about this game than if they were playing another P5 school and 0-3. That said, I don't think they have the ability to beat Duke or even make it close (provided Duke is playing their best). I'd take NU over UConn right now.

[Hartford Dukie]

We are 21.5 point favs in Vegas. Can't recall ever having that many points as fav on the road.

[TruBlu]

My score prediction:
Duke - something double digits
UConn - 7*

*until Duke’s second or third string defense plays the fourth quarter

[CameronBornAndBred]

We are 21.5 point favs in Vegas. Can't recall ever having that many points as fav on the road.

Per your name, are you going?

[Hartford Dukie]

Per your name, are you going?

Darn staight, I'll be there...but also coming down with my two younger college kids for NC State on 10/14!

[CameronBornAndBred]

Darn staight, I'll be there...but also coming down with my two younger college kids for NC State on 10/14!

Excellent! Feel free to bring all to our tailgate.
We're counting on you to cheer us on to 4-0 this weekend.

[budwom]

wear a Duke hat and get serenaded with impressive obscenities as you walk thru the very odd airport runway parking lot. I gather the impression that a lot of their fine fans do not like us.

[Bob Green]

With all the excitement of Notre Dame coming to town, it's easy to forget that there is another game to be played.

My two biggest concerns are not getting caught in a trap, and coming home healthy.

I agree with you wholeheartedly the focus must be on UConn this week. We need to keep our eyes on the ball one game at a time.

[loran16]

Bill Connolly’s (of ESPN) SP+ advanced stat ranking has UConn as the second worst FBS team out there and has duke as 30 point favorites. In short this is a bad team - it was a bad team last year when it made a bowl- the numbers thought it had incredible luck to do so and well the numbers aren’t that surprised there 0-3 now.

Duke should be able to win even on the road and get reps for backups again

[CameronBornAndBred]

WRAL has a press conference video and writeup from earlier today with Mike Elko talking about the upcoming UCONN game.
It's good stuff. Here's a snippet. (Whole video is in the article, too.)

Elko explained how he’s trying to keep his team motivated.

“You don’t have to be in this game very long to realize that the second you anticipate something happening is exactly what won’t happen,” Elko said. “And so, we talk all the time in our building that anytime you take the game of football for granted, it will find a way to humble you really, really [quickly].”

Elko said he watched UConn’s tape against NC State when the two teams played on Aug. 31. NC State won the game 24-14. He said it helps watching tape against a team he is familiar with, given NC State also plays in the ACC.

“It obviously jumps off the tape how well [UConn] played against them,” Elko said. “I think it quickly gets your attention.

https://www.wralsportsfan.com/duke-l...ason/21054790/

[DavidBenAkiva]

Let's hope Cooper Flagg enjoys the game even if the home crowd doesn't.

[CameronBlue]

wear a Duke hat and get serenaded with impressive obscenities as you walk thru the very odd airport runway parking lot. I gather the impression that a lot of their fine fans do not like us.

Laettner...AGAIN??!! Seems like UCONN unlike UK, exacted their measure of revenge, (well 2004 was thanks to some friendly officiating.)

[peteandpete]

The Huskies are 0-3. They are averaging 15 ppg and giving up just under 28 ppg. They are rushing for just under 128 ypg awhile giving up nearly 180 ypg. Through the air, they are 52-98 with two picks, averaging 186 ypg. Their opponents are averaging 194 ypg passing. They have scored 6 TDs and given up 11. Their punter has averaged 46.5 ypp and they have committed 20 penalties for 186 yards. Somehow, they have averaged just over 30 minutes a game in TOP. UConn is 21-48 on 3rd down and 2-4 on 4th. They have lost 2 fumbles and given up 5 sacks. Houston and Rosa have been their leading rushers, each gaining about 50 ypg. At QB, they have used two players, Roberson and Fagnano, with Roberson taking two thirds of the snaps and accounting for 3 TDs. They have each completed over 50% of their attempts. Buckman, Joly, and Ross have been the main receiving targets with 16, 11, and 10 catches respectfully. Buckman and Houston have one TD reception each. Defensively, Mitchell and Jones are the leading tacklers but Yates and Stafford have the most TFLs with 6 and 5 respectfully. They have allowed 7 TDs to opponents inside the red zone in 10 tries along with 1 FG. They are 4-5 in the red zone with 3 TDs and 1 FG. The Duke game is the second of three straight at home for the Huskies. They have played better at home and common opponent NC State beat them 24-14 in the season opener at home.

[OldPhiKap]

The Huskies are 0-3. They are averaging 15 ppg and giving up just under 28 ppg. They are rushing for just under 128 ypg awhile giving up nearly 180 ypg. Through the air, they are 52-98 with two picks, averaging 186 ypg. Their opponents are averaging 194 ypg passing. They have scored 6 TDs and given up 11. Their punter has averaged 46.5 ypp and they have committed 20 penalties for 186 yards. Somehow, they have averaged just over 30 minutes a game in TOP. UConn is 21-48 on 3rd down and 2-4 on 4th. They have lost 2 fumbles and given up 5 sacks. Houston and Rosa have been their leading rushers, each gaining about 50 ypg. At QB, they have used two players, Roberson and Fagnano, with Roberson taking two thirds of the snaps and accounting for 3 TDs. They have each completed over 50% of their attempts. Buckman, Joly, and Ross have been the main receiving targets with 16, 11, and 10 catches respectfully. Buckman and Houston have one TD reception each. Defensively, Mitchell and Jones are the leading tacklers but Yates and Stafford have the most TFLs with 6 and 5 respectfully. They have allowed 7 TDs to opponents inside the red zone in 10 tries along with 1 FG. They are 4-5 in the red zone with 3 TDs and 1 FG. The Duke game is the second of three straight at home for the Huskies. They have played better at home and common opponent NC State beat them 24-14 in the season opener at home.

Thanks, great break-down.

[Dr. Maturin]

It was hard to gauge how good UConn was in week 1 since NCSU was clearly keeping things simple for ND the following week. Since then, they got blasted by Ga St and worked by FIU until they made a comeback. I assume they don't have a lot of returning players from last years team.
I don't expect Duke to do with State did, there's a difference between hiding stuff week 1 against an inferior opponent and a big match up the following week vs going into week 4 where you need to make sure you are firing on all cylinders. Because of the basketball rivalry, UConn fans will actually care more about this game than if they were playing another P5 school and 0-3. That said, I don't think they have the ability to beat Duke or even make it close (provided Duke is playing their best). I'd take NU over UConn right now.

A certain prized basketball recruit will be in Storrs this weekend. Hopefully Duke athletics can plant its flag, so to speak.

[budwom]

The Huskies are 0-3. They are averaging 15 ppg and giving up just under 28 ppg. They are rushing for just under 128 ypg awhile giving up nearly 180 ypg. Through the air, they are 52-98 with two picks, averaging 186 ypg. Their opponents are averaging 194 ypg passing. They have scored 6 TDs and given up 11. Their punter has averaged 46.5 ypp and they have committed 20 penalties for 186 yards. Somehow, they have averaged just over 30 minutes a game in TOP. UConn is 21-48 on 3rd down and 2-4 on 4th. They have lost 2 fumbles and given up 5 sacks. Houston and Rosa have been their leading rushers, each gaining about 50 ypg. At QB, they have used two players, Roberson and Fagnano, with Roberson taking two thirds of the snaps and accounting for 3 TDs. They have each completed over 50% of their attempts. Buckman, Joly, and Ross have been the main receiving targets with 16, 11, and 10 catches respectfully. Buckman and Houston have one TD reception each. Defensively, Mitchell and Jones are the leading tacklers but Yates and Stafford have the most TFLs with 6 and 5 respectfully. They have allowed 7 TDs to opponents inside the red zone in 10 tries along with 1 FG. They are 4-5 in the red zone with 3 TDs and 1 FG. The Duke game is the second of three straight at home for the Huskies. They have played better at home and common opponent NC State beat them 24-14 in the season opener at home.

Worth noting that starting QB Fagnano is out for the season. Roberson is a Penn State transfer with some potential, but Uconn fans think he is not confident in a knee he injured last year. Key to the game is not letting him get comfortable.

[HoKogan]

Bill Connolly’s (of ESPN) SP+ advanced stat ranking has UConn as the second worst FBS team out there and has duke as 30 point favorites. In short this is a bad team - it was a bad team last year when it made a bowl- the numbers thought it had incredible luck to do so and well the numbers aren’t that surprised there 0-3 now.

Duke should be able to win even on the road and get reps for backups again

All of this is true and yet Uconn was able to beat BC last year. BC was able to upset NCSU and gave Duke all it could handle. I think as long as the team focuses on this game, they should win by 3 touchdowns.

[AGDukesky]

All of this is true and yet Uconn was able to beat BC last year. BC was able to upset NCSU and gave Duke all it could handle. I think as long as the team focuses on this game, they should win by 3 touchdowns.

And if you analyze UConn’s opponents and their opponents, the three losses are not terrible. The Georgia St margin was not good but GSU is a solid team. FIU is the weakest opponent but its losses aren’t that bad. Given this is Duke’s first road game, I expect some struggles but ultimately a double-digit win like 27-10.

[budwom]

And if you analyze UConn’s opponents and their opponents, the three losses are not terrible. The Georgia St margin was not good but GSU is a solid team. FIU is the weakest opponent but its losses aren’t that bad. Given this is Duke’s first road game, I expect some struggles but ultimately a double-digit win like 27-10.

I don't discount any game, especially a road game, but Georgia State is not a good football team...