After a few weeks off to do adult things, the Heckler’s Guide is back and more important than ever.
We don’t need to tell you how important this Saturday’s game is, but we’re going to anyway: it’s, like, really really important. Super important. With a win over Houston, UConn essentially locks up a bowl bid. With a loss, UConn is forced to go on the road and win at Temple in order to be eligible.
This is why Meghan urged you all to #FillTheRent yesterday.
I can only assume you listened to her and bought tickets (if not, go here), so since you have already committed to going, here are some #facts about Houston that should help you make the most of your trip:
First and foremost, this article should give you all the motivation you need to get loud. It’s nothing embarrassing about the university or a shot at its program. It’s an article in which head coach Tom Herman explains that Saturday is a “trap game” for the Cougars. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it’s what’s used when a seemingly lesser opponent appears on the schedule either right before or right after a big game.
The Cougars beat Memphis in a 35-34 thriller last week and will face Navy next week in the de facto AAC West title game. Some fear they might look past the lowly Huskies.
Let’s hope that happens and let’s hope the Huskies make them pay.
There’s also a tremendous troll aspect to this game.
The AAC is in an unusual position right now as a Group of Five league with several national contenders: Houston, Navy, Memphis and Temple. The unbeaten Cougars are still holding out hope for an unlikely College Football Playoff bid, but more realistically, they are playing for a New Year’s Six bowl spot.
The Huskies can torpedo such hopes with a win on Saturday.
The team that went 2-10 last year and made the dumbest of headlines over the summer can ruin everything for tradition-rich Houston and it would be fantastic.
Another way for you to help: There’s gotta be a psychological factor in this. The vast majority of the Houston roster hails from Texas or other southern states. The forecast for Saturday calls for a high of 51 degrees with a slight chance of rain. It’s not the sub-freezing disaster I was hoping for, but it will have to do. They don’t like the cold down in Houston. Make sure they are constantly reminded of just how out of their element they are. Wear shorts and short-sleeves and act like the cold is no big deal. You can drink plenty of beer to keep warm.
Now this might be the most important part to the Heckler’s Guide and it has nothing to do with either team. Because I have more real life things going on, I won’t be there on Saturday. Kevin Meacham from No Escalators will take my spot instead. Knowing he will be in the press box, please direct the majority of your heckling/throwing things in his direction. Best case: you make him cry. Worst case: You miss but hit Tim Fontenault instead. It’s a win-win.
Lastly, I’m just going to leave this here. Do with it what you wish, but please do not let this stand.
(Keep in mind the good Emeka Okafor played high school ball in the Houston area but went to UConn, making this even more perfect)
In the words of podcast producer Alex Cohen:
“That Emeka Okafor looks like Emeka Okafor ate Emeka Okafor.”
