The Serious Scouting Report: UConn

God where would our world be if it wasn't for online video sharing software? This is the first of what I hope will be at least a semi-annual series of previews of upcoming Navy opponents, all off which will analyze pre-made and horribly partisan highlight videos of teams that can't possibly be as good as advertised (except those Domers of course). Said videos will provide comparatively little insight into the other team, save for a few "OMG that dude is sick" or "Holy Crap that other guy just got flattened!" Nevertheless, it's better then going in cold in your outlook. So without further adieu, let's do this thing.

This video comes to us courtesy of Youtube, and shows the Huskies absolutely dismantling the University of Rhode Island. While URI is only a I-AA school, it's not like their a God-Awful I-AA school, (this is the part where you remind yourself of the UMass game, which Navy only won by a single point) so give UConn an once of credit. Despite not telling the whole picture (which I'll get to later) this video can tell us a few things. First, Terry Caulley is fast, really fast. The UConn offensive line is veteran and does a great job coming off the ball, and if you're like me you were most likely amazed at the kind of holes that were opening up for Caulley. It's not just the former Freshman All-American getting the job done though, as #34 Donald Brown had some impressive gains as well. Second, forget everything about #14 DJ Hernandez. The uber-athletic Quarterback won't start against Navy, while Senior Matt Bonislawski will get the call instead. Bonislawski is a better overall passer, but isn't nearly as mobile as Hernandez. After struggling to get to Paul Smith last week, the Navy pass rush may have an easier time against "Bones."

One thing this video doesn't tell us is the strength of the UConn defense, which is ranked 4th against the run nationally (BTW, Navy leads the Nation in rushing thanks to a strong ECU defensive performance against WVU last week.) Despite being that good, the Huskies struggled against URI's triple option at times, and could be vulnerable to Navy's attack. Let's be honest with ourselves, Indiana isn't exactly the pinnacle of rushing supremacy (with apologies, again) and something tells me Coach Johnson is going to roll the dice a little more against an aggressive and (hint, hint) potentially over-pursuing defense. Even so, watching this video sent some chills up my spine. I generally believe this is a very underrated UConn team that should finish no lower the 4th in the Big East, a spot that will surely send to Huskies to a Bowl game. As I've said all this week, this is a big test for Navy, and a chance for the program to show it can beat quality teams. Be sure to tune in tomorrow at noon when I bring you live blogging from my couch.