The already depleted and inexperienced UConn offense was dealt another blow with the loss of Michael Smith, who was ruled academically ineligible this fall. Smith was the team's leading receiver last fall with 46 catches for 615 yards (13.4 average) and one of only three proven weapons returning on offense. It leaves Kashif Moore (36-452, four TDs) and tight end Ryan Griffin (31-245, touchdown) as the only players with more than 15 catches a year ago.

The offense was already a point of concern, what with no tailbacks or quarterbacks with any real experience to speak of, while the passing game hadn't exactly had opposing defenses shaking in their Under Armour. Spring practice is just that, practice, but the Huskies did little to quell fears that points and yardage will once again be tough to come by. Still, redshirt freshmen Tebucky Jones Jr. and Geremy Davis showed promise, as did sophomore Malik Generett (an academic casualty last fall). All three have the potential, with a little work, to be major contributors this fall.

Smith never redshirted, so he can return in 2012 as long as he improves his grades.