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The UConn Huskies travel to Morgantown, West Virginia Saturday with heavy hearts brought upon by the death of cornerback Jasper Howard last weekend on the Storrs campus.
To say emotions will be running high for UConn is putting it lightly, as after the game the team will catch a flight to Miami to attend funeral services on Monday for their fallen teammate.
Before Saturday's game both teams will meet at mid-field to observe a moment of silence for Howard, followed by a handshake between the opponents.
On the field, UConn will be looking to win for the first time in five tries against the Mountaineers. In the last two meetings UConn was outscored 101-34.
WVU quarterback Jarrett Brown, still feeling the effects of a concussion suffered in last week's win over Marshall, practiced with the first team on Tuesday and Wednesday but for now is still considered a game-time decision by coach Bill Stewart.
If Brown can't go, true freshman Geno Smith will take over. No matter who is at the reigns for WVU, the Mountaineers would be wise to attack a UConn secondary that has had coverage issues.
UConn's front seven has had some success containing the more mobile QB's it has faced this year, but none had the type of running back that WVU has to complement their talented signal-callers.
After Cincinnati QB Tony Pike, WVU running back Noel Devine is probably the Big East's best chance at securing the Heisman Trophy.
Devine is well on his way to rushing for close to 1,500 yards and 18 TD's and after the day Pitt's Dion Lewis(158 yards) had two weeks ago against UConn, the defense's first priority will be stopping Devine.
That emphasis on Devine could lead to wideout Jock Sanders, and whoever is behind center for WVU, shredding the Huskies secondary through the air.
The Huskies front four, led by end Lindsey Witten and tackle Twyon Martin, have to pressure their way into the backfield to force the Mountaineers quarterbacks into some hurried throws.
As a whole, the Huskies defense has got to improve their tackling, which was atrocious throughout the Pitt game, and improve on their third down defense.
If those keys don't improve, the Huskies chances for a win diminish ten-fold.
On offense, the Mountaineers can expect a lot of Andre Dixon and Jordan Todman running the ball.
Todman took more of a back seat in the win over Louisville last week, but against the Mountaineers speedy defense, the carries should even out more this week.
As quarterback Cody Endres has solidified his spot over Zach Frazer as the team's starter, the Huskies staff has looked to take more chances down the field.
At some points throughout the contest, the WVU secondary should be tested by Endres and wideouts, Marcus Easley, Brad Kanuch, and Kashif Moore, in hopes of connecting on a long one.
One key for Endres has been his propensity for throwing the out pattern, from the opposite side of the hash-mark, at least a few times a game. It hasn't burned him yet, but watching the play develop in recent weeks has led to some nervous moments for UConn fans.
West Virginia should have the speed in the secondary to make Endres pay badly for those types of passes Saturday afternoon.
Outlook/Prediction:
There is no telling what impact Howard's death will have when the Huskies take the field for Saturday's game.
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