College football notebook 7/10

Is Randy Edsall on the verge of being a Zooker?

UConn had four players selected in the first 63 picks of the 2009 NFL Draft, and two more players selected in this year’s Draft. The Huskies’ record over that time period? 16-10.

I’m not trying to give Husky head coch Randy Edsall the business, because he’s built a solid program where one didn’t exist before. But he’s starting to put a noticeable number of players into the professional ranks. If he was doing this at a more established power and losing four or five games a season in the process, he’d be out of a job.

In order to prevent himself being labeled the next Ron Zook, Edsall needs to become the master of the close game. Over the last two seasons, UConn is 7-7 in games decided by 8 points or less. Last season’s five losses were decided by a total of 15 combined points. Basically, the Huskies were a couple of touchdowns away from a perfect season.

This season, UConn starts off with a trip to Michigan, a game in which they should be favored. That’s followed up by tilts against Texas Southern, Temple, Buffalo and Vanderbilt. With 17 returning starters in the mix, this team should be 5-0 going into its Big East opener at Rutgers. Therefore, a 10-win campaign is a VERY reachable goal.

There’s not heat in Edsall’s seat at all, he isn’t enduring the backside burn that Ralph Friedgen and Dan Hawkins are currently experiencing.   But another four or five loss season would certainly take a lot of the luster off the guy.

Mark Richt says, “Take THAT, Derek Dooley!”

I guess Georgia’s Mark Richt took it as a challenge when those Tennessee players got into a drunken brawl on Thursday night.   Not 24 hours later, two of his own players were arrested on alcohol-related charges.  Hey Derek Dooley, Richt WILL NOT be outdone by you, partner.

The knuckleheads in question for Georgia were sophomore tailback Dontavius Jackson and sophomore split end Tavarres King.  Jackson ended up being charged with DUI and leaving the scene of an accident while King was charge with underage possession of alcohol.

For Bulldog Nation, the timing of the arrests couldn’t have been worse, coming a week after Damon Evans and his red panty episode.  Then again, this is a Richt coached team, and he’s never been mistaken for being a strict disciplinarian.  If he went a season without one of his players getting dinged for something weed or booze related, I’d be shocked.

Cadillac Therezie gaining some buzz

Miami Jackson prospect Robenson Therezie is emerging as one of the Sunshine State’s most buzzworthy prospects.  Alabama, Tennessee and Florida have been recruiting him hard to play safety, a position at which multiple recruiting services rank him in the top 30 in the nation.

Auburn has jumped into the mix, which isn’t surprising since Therezie’s nickname is “Cadillac.”  But Gene Chizik is taking a different approach than other suitors in that he’s apparently recruiting the kid to play running back.  Therezie has told sources at AuburnSports.com that he will visit Auburn later in the summer.

The team to beat, though, would appear to be Miami.  Therezie told InsidetheU.com this week that the Canes lead for his services.  However, Auburn’s approach might keep them in the running since Miami’s depth chart at safety is filled with sophomores and redshirt freshmen.  If Therezie wants to play early, Coral Gables might not be the best option.

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