UConn coach Randy Edsall said he anticipates linebacker Danny Lansanah to play Saturday. Fellow linebacker Ryan Henegan practiced in pads Wednesday but will not play against Temple.

Coach Randy Edsall announced that Corey Stringer and Andre Dixon have both been reinstated to the team and will be eligible to play next weekend against Temple.

No time like when Temple comes in to get people on the field.

The first game is in the past and the UConn Huskies now look ahead to the home opener. I know there are hopes of a bowl game now that the Huskies have defeated the mighty Blue Devils of Duke.

Let's go through the schedule and what I expect to see happen:

At Duke -- well, not as close as I thought, but a win nonetheless. (1-0)
Maine -- Should be an easy win (2-0)
Temple - If UConn loses this one, the program should go D-II (3-0)
At Pittsburgh -- This is the pivitol game of the season. My gut says the Huskies win (4-0)
Akron -- I think the Zips are better than expected, but UConn should win (5-0)
At Virginia -- No way UConn wins this one (5-1)
Louisville -- This will be the worst defeat of the season (5-2)
South Florida -- The middle game of the worst stretch this season (5-3)
Rutgers -- Close, but no cigar (5-4)
at Cincinnati -- I'd like the Huskies' chances at the Rent, but it's a tough road game against an improved Bearcats squad (5-5)
Syracuse -- Last chance for bowl eligibility (6-5)
At West Virginia -- That seventh win never seemed more distant than it will against the Mountaineers (6-6).

I'm of the mind that a six-win season gets you a bowl game, but it didn't happen for Pitt last year after dropping six straight and I don't think it happens for the Huskies because they play one of the weakest schedules outside of the BIg East. If I'm proven wrong and the Huskies beat Virginia, they go bowling. If not...baby steps.

The first quarter is complete in Durham, and thanks to a field goal and a safety, UConn now trails 7-5 against Duke,

On the first possession of the year, Duke dismantled the UConn defense, highlighted by a 53-yard pass. Duke leads 7-0.

Oddly it feels warmer in the press box, which has AC, then outside of Wallace Wade Stadium. But the potential for heat in Durham, NC, has led the Huskies to suit up in white jerseys and silver pants -- a look not seen since UConn went to Miami in 2002.

Another note of interest is LB Ryan Henegan is back in Storrs. That means Lawrenece Wilson gets the start at the Husky linebacker position.

Just to get things started for the season, my predicted order of finish in the Big East.

West Virginia
Louisville
South Florida
Rutgers
Cincinnati
Pittsburgh
UConn
Syracuse

OK...The BCS bowl selection is fast approaching. Here are my picks:

BCS Championship: Ohio State vs. Florida
Rose Bowl: Michigan vs. Southern California
Orange Bowl: Wake Forest vs. Louisville
Sugar Bowl: LSU vs. Notre Dame
Fiesta Bowl: Oklahoma vs. Boise State

The only change I might expect is if Louisville goes to the Sugar Bowl and Notre Dame goes to the Orange Bowl. Wisconsin might replace Notre Dame, but when you consider the money that comes along with Notre Dame, its not likely.

Good job, Dan Murray.

Nothing is more frustrating than when you team benefits from a big turnover and the next play you cough up the ball.

A few Big East coaches are being mentioned for vacancies around the country. West Virginia's Rich Rodriguez, Louisville's Bobby Petrino, Rutgers' Greg Schiano and South Florida's Jim Leavitt have their names tossed about regularly.

Rodriguez isn't going anywhere. He is from West Virginia, attended/played for West Virginia and has Steve Slaton and Patrick White for at least one more year.

Petrino is staying put, also. He probably has the deepest team in the conference and would be hard pressed to match the success he has had with the Cardinals elsewhere.

Schiano seems to be linked primarily to two jobs -- one that's open and one that isn't -- Miami and Penn State. Schiano would be foolish to take on the headache in Coral Gables. Sure, you get talented football players. But what else do you get with that? Penn State isn't even an option yet with Joe Pa still in place. But I do think Schiano's reputation, especially in the Northeast can help bring the Nittany Lions back to prominence.

Then there is Leavitt. He also is being mentioned for the Miami job and Alabama. He built the Bulls into a bowl team (two straight years) and is a rising power in the Sunshine State. Florida, Florida State and Miami have someone else to contend with. If Leavitt heads south to command the Hurricanes, he will take a step back, in my view.

So, don't expect any changes in the conference's coaching ranks aside from a replacement in Cincinnati and I anticipate Pitt dropping the axe on Dave Wannstedt.

Hernandez done.

Coach Randy Edsall told reporters today that sophomore quarterback D.J. Hernandez broke his left wrist and will miss the season finale at Louisville Saturday.

Hernandez was placed in a cast today, and will remain so until his wrist heals.

The Bearcats kicked a field goal with 10 seconds left to secure a 26-23 win over the Huskies in the season's final home game.

Cincinnati scored on a nine-yard pass, and with the PAT, have pulled even with UConn, 23-23. There is 2:19 left in the fourth quarter.

Bonislawski connected with Brad Kanuch on a 45-yard pass, putting the Huskies up 23-16. Tony Ciaravino missed the PAT.

Cincinnati booted a 42-yard field goal to cut the UConn lead to one, 17-16, with 9:12 left in regulation.

The Bearcats respond to the previous Husky's touchdown with a 28-yard field goal, making the score 171-13 in favor of UConn.

The Huskies regained the lead, 17-10, thanks to UConn taken advantage of a pass interference penalty.
Immediately following the penalty, Terry Caulley ran 12 yards for the first down. Brad Kanuch made a 25-yard reception and Donald Brown broke a 20-yard run, putting the Huskies deep in the red zone.
Two plays later, quarterback Matt Bonislawski connected with Anthony Barksdale for an eight-yard score.

Thanks to poor pass coverage and an unnecessary roughness penalty, Cincinnati was able to pull even with UConn, 10-10, early in the third quarter.

Donald Brown scored on the Huskies' first drive and Matt Nuzie hit a 45-yard field goal to put UConn on top of Cincinnati, 10-3, at halftime.

Matt Nuzie, playing in his final home game, hit a 45-yard field goal to push the Huskies' lead back to seven, 10-3.