INSIDE SLANT

This is a big week for the Huskies, for a variety of reasons.

The matchup with Notre Dame has had the UConn program and fans excited ever since it was announced. It’s a rare shot at a nationally-televised game against a big-time program that would help get the Huskies some added respect if they come away with the victory.

This isn’t a great Fighting Irish team, and coach Charlie Weis is fighting for his job down the stretch. In fact, both the Irish and the Huskies have been snakebit this season, each suffering close losses that have taken them from the brink of BCS contention (especially in Notre Dame’s case) and have them both looking at the various attributes of the lesser bowl games on the calendar.

UConn needs this win for a more practical reason as well. At 4-5, with the five losses coming by a total of 15 points, the Huskies are one of the better teams in the country with precarious bowl hopes. A loss here, and UConn’s best case is sneaking into the postseason with a 6-6 record. A win, and UConn is 5-5 heading into a pair of winnable home games against Syracuse and South Florida.

No team needed a week off more than UConn, and the Huskies combined rest and practice time to get their batteries recharged while the Fighting Irish were losing to Pittsburgh. Coach Randy Edsall is hoping that has a positive impact for a team that hasn’t had a lot of results for all of its work this season.

NOTES, QUOTES

• The Jasper Howard murder investigation continues to reverberate on campus and within the locker room, as more details are learned. Several other UConn players were allegedly involved in the fracas that led to Howard’s death in October, and the story has the potential to have lasting effects on the team and the football program. One man is accused of murder, and another with conspiracy to commit assault, and the trial should take place within the coming months.

• QB Cody Endres is out this week, still recovering from his injured shoulder. That means that if Zach Frazer gets hurt, the coaching staff will have to choose between burning Mike Box’s redshirt year and tossing Johnny McEntee into the fray.

• P Desi Cullen is one of 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award. The honor is given by the Augusta Sports Council to the top collegiate punter.

Game Ball Goes To:   RB Jordan Todman—Todman is the player to watch this week as the Notre Dame game looms. The Irish have struggled to defend the run, and Todman has been effective in recent weeks piling up yards on the ground.

Keep An Eye On:   LB Scott Lutrus—Lutrus has had a lost year because of a stinger suffered in the season opener that has affected him ever since. If he’s able to play down the stretch, that would help add a jolt of experience and tackling ability to a beleaguered defense.

Quote To Note:   “Football’s a game of fundamentals and technique. That’s all it is. It’s a game of repetition. So that’s what you work on.”—UConn coach Randy Edsall told the Hartford Courant, on his plan for the extra week of practice.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Looking Good:   Notre Dame has struggled defending the run, which means a lot of work for Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon this week. Combined, the duo has rushed for more than 1,550 yards this season. Dixon got dinged against Cincinnati, but should be ready to play in South Bend.

Moreover, the UConn passing attack has been better than expected in recent weeks, regardless of who has been under center. With Marcus Easley emerging as a legitimate threat at wideout, the Huskies offense has become much more difficult to defend than it was early in the season.

Though the UConn defense hasn’t been great, the linebacking corps continues to be solid even with Scott Lutrus injured for much of the season. Lawrence Wilson leads the team with 97 tackles, and Greg Lloyd is second with 70.

Still Needs Work:   The defense struggled in the last game against Cincinnati, and in recent weeks coach Randy Edsall has called out senior defensive end Lindsey Witten as someone who needs to step up his level of play now that the schedule has gotten tougher. The timing isn’t an accident—UConn will be looking to put constant pressure on quarterback Jimmy Clausen to slow down the Irish attack.

Of greater concern is the performance of the secondary. It’s pretty sad that fans criticize the coaching staff for running a prevent defense, only to hear that that’s really not what the team is doing. The corners and safeties aren’t going a very good job of getting coverage on the receivers, and most quarterbacks have done very well through the air, a big concern heading into matchup against a team with a quarterback who likes to throw.

The special teams has been inconsistent, particularly the kicking of Dave Teggart, who is just 9-16 on the year. In addition, UConn has allowed two kick returns for touchdowns.

Roster Report:  

• RB Andre Dixon is probable for the Notre Dame game with a leg injury. His presence is critical, given that the Irish sometimes struggle against the run.

• LB Sio Moore is probable for this week with an injured ankle.

• RB Meme Wylie, who would add depth behind Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon in the backfield, should be able to play this week despite an arm injury.