Seventh Day Adventure: Breakout Campaigns, Underrated Stars Kick Off Bowl Season
It has been a long seven years for both Jim L. Mora and the UConn Huskies. Mora had UCLA rolling in the early 2010s, starting 37-16 after taking over a program with one winning season in five years, but things took a turn starting in 2015. The Bruins' 4-0 start was derailed by 2-2 Arizona State, and they floundered to an 8-5 season, then completely collapsed to 4-8 and 6-6 before Mora was ousted. As for UConn, 2015 was a much-needed resurgence after going 3-9 and 2-10 in the previous two seasons. The Huskies' inexperienced staff pieced together five wins against losing competition, then shocked the college football world by upending 10-0 Houston to reach bowl eligibility for the first time since 2010. But like Mora's success, it was over as quickly as it began: Bob Diaco was out just a year later after going 3-9, and retread hire Randy Edsall won just six games in four seasons.
When UConn hired Mora at the end of 2021, having gone 1-11 with two games against FCS competition, both seemed like they might be on their last chance to succeed at the FBS level. On the upside, considering the state of the program, nobody expected immediate results, and a 1-4 start was no surprise. But the Huskies finished 5-2, knocking off eventual division champion Fresno State, ACC foe Boston College, and top-20 Liberty along the way in another stunning run to bowl season. It remains to be seen if this success will last for the coach or his program, but it's well worth celebrating now.
The first week of bowl season is an opportunity to take in the wonder of countless improbable stories like UConn's, from Oregon State (chasing its first 10-win season since 2006) to South Alabama (which has 10 wins for the first time in program history). Beyond the miracles, there are more typical success stories, such as Toledo finally putting its talent together to win the MAC and that Fresno State team overcoming its slow start to make the Mountain West title game. And, of course, there are the narratives: UTSA and Troy in a battle of underrated Group of 5 teams, Louisville and Cincinnati in a rivalry charged by a coach swapping sides, Jackson State trying to send Deion Sanders off with a Celebration Bowl victory, and more. It's only a glimpse of all the drama still to come, but there's plenty of must-see football to kick off bowl season.