AAC Football: Most Important Non-Conference Games in 2017

2 of 13

Sep 17, 2016; East Hartford, CT, USA; Connecticut Huskies linebacker Cameron Stapleton (10) and his team react after a failed field goal attempt by the Virginia Cavaliers to end the game at Rentschler Field. UConn defeated Virginia 13-10. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Last year, UConn had a rough go of things in the AAC. They actually started the season 2-1, a mark which included a win over ACC school Virginia. Had single-digit losses to Navy and Syracuse gone the other way, the Huskies could have started the year 5-1. Yet in the second half of 2016, things all collapsed.

Connecticut did not win another football game after early October. The early statement and near-upset of Syracuse were effectively wasted in the bigger picture as UConn finished with a 3-9 record.

The game between UConn and Boston College at Fenway Park is one of the late highlights of Group of Five non-conference schedules. These two New England schools have played against one another only four times, all at the turn of the 21st century. All four times, the Eagles took down the Huskies.

Only once, in 2002, has Connecticut managed to even keep the final margin within single digits. UConn will need to avoid falling into any deficit to get a first win over Boston College. Should they pull it off, UConn would have a great AAC building block.

Home/American