UConn has the toughest schedule it’s ever had and BYU being on it along with Missouri are just a couple of reasons why. The realistic expectation is seeing the team just play better on a consistent basis. – Desmond Conner
Editor's note: This is the 17th in a series previewing each opponent BYU, Utah and Utah State will face this season.
The matchup
Connecticut at BYU, Oct. 2
8:15 p.m. MDT, TV: ESPN2

LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo
Last year proved to be a major trial for Bob Diaco in his first year as Connecticut's head coach as the Huskies finished the year 2-10.
It looks like his program could face similar odds this season, especially with a pair of road games at Missouri and BYU during its non-conference slate.
UConn is projected by media from around the league to finish last in the American Athletic Conference's West Division. The Huskies return 13 starters, including seven on defense.
The Deseret News caught up with Desmond Conner, who covers Connecticut football for the Hartford Courant, to discuss what to watch for from the Huskies this season.
DN: What are the expectations facing coach Bob Diaco in Year 2, coming off a 2-10 season?
DC: To be better than 2-10 in 2015. That’s the long and short of it. Is it realistic is the question. UConn has the toughest schedule it’s ever had and BYU being on it along with Missouri are just a couple of reasons why. The realistic expectation is seeing the team just play better on a consistent basis. That it is in games, the competitive ones, no matter what. People close to the program expect UConn to compete for a league championship in 2016, but the Huskies need to show they're spiraling up, not down. There's been too many down-spiraling years. Bob Diaco and his staff was brought in to build a strong program. That's important and so are wins. They need to come in abundance soon, sure, but the signs, at least, that they’re on that track need to be seen this year.
DN: What needs to happen to turn the Husky offense around?
DC: They need consistent quarterback play, something they haven't had since joining the Big East in 2004. The Huskies just haven't been as productive as they should here since Dan Orlovsky. I like the fact Diaco has addressed this. There are three quarterbacks I think will be ready to go, but I believe the job goes to a dual-threat guy. Neither of their dual-threat options are as good as Taysom Hill, but they don't have to be. They just need to move the ball with their arm and feet. Bryant Shirreffs, a transfer from N.C. State who managed the offense well in the spring game, is one and Garrett Anderson, a junior college transfer from Laney (California) Community College, is the other. UConn's calling card on offense was running the ball, but there's been key departures, schemes that didn't work and inexperienced players up front that's led to its struggles since going to the Fiesta Bowl (Jan. 2011). There's some experience there now. We'll see what happens.
DN: Who are the players to watch on offense?
DC: The two quarterbacks, Shirreffs and Anderson. Running back Ron Johnson, a Louisville de-commit, came on toward the end of the year, but he, Arkeel Newsome, Josh Marriner and Max DeLorenzo all have different styles at the position. Noel Thomas, I think, is primed for a big year at receiver.
DN: Who are the players to watch on defense and special teams?
DC: On defense, Julian Campenni, Cole Ormsby and Kenton Adeyemi are good up front. Graham Stewart and Marquise Vann are good linebackers. Jhavon Williams should be primed for a solid year at cornerback. Bobby Puyol is a good kicker, but he's going to get some competition from an incoming freshman, Michael Tarbutt, who is supposed to be pretty good.
DN: What major question marks does the team need to solve in fall camp?
DC: Filling the void at cornerback left by Byron Jones, a first-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys. Who replaces Geremy Davis at receiver? Davis, who went to the Giants, was one of the most prolific receivers in school history. The Huskies have to replace tight end Sean McQuillan. Ryan Crozier, a sophomore who was moving to center, was lost for the season prior to camp with a lower leg injury, so a group of reserve interior linemen are going to have a crack at being his understudy.
Email: bjudd@deseretdigital.com; Twitter: @brandonljudd