Which ESPN analyst hates UConn more?

Whenever the name "Digger Phelps" is uttered, I can't help but think of three things: how he annoyingly matches his highlighters and ties, his affinity for touching Bob Knight and, obviously, his pure hatred for UConn basketball. Despite the fact that Jim Calhoun's teams have historically been among the best in the nation, the former Notre Dame coach refuses to give them the credit that they deserve. The name "Digger" has nothing to do with the fact that Phelps spent his youth working at his father's funeral service, as is popularly thought. In actuality, it is due to the ESPN Basketball analyst's knack for insulting the student-athletes who represent the Huskies.

There are a lot of UConn haters out there, but no one hates the Huskies with the passion and absurdity that Robert Smith does. Smith, a former All-Pro running back with the Minnesota Vikings and current ESPN College Football analyst, just straight up hates on UConn football for no reason. Not only does he refuse to pick UConn in games against MAC teams like Buffalo, but he doesn't give the Huskies any credit for anything they do. The guy is a hater.

Kevin Duffy: Here's the difference between Phelps and Smith: Phelps' hatred of UConn comes from his well-documented Notre Dame bias. Phelps likes two Big East teams - Notre Dame and Pitt. He only likes Pitt because Bobby Knight had this weird obsession with the Panthers last season, and we all know Phelps has had a weird obsession with Bobby Knight for quite some time now. Smith hates UConn for absolutely no reason. He went to Ohio State, a program that isn't exactly UConn's rival.

Max Jabbonsky: Phelps' time as coach of the Fighting Irish can be summed up by a few shining moments - including seven upset wins over No. 1 ranked teams - but he was never able to reach the a championship himself. This has clearly had a negative effect on his analysis, as an inferiority complex has resulted in anti-UConn bias. Smith, on the other hand, is simply a victim of his own ignorance. Coming from a large football program at OSU, he is unwilling to give a relatively small program its due. When Randy Edsall has completed building the program here in Storrs, Smith will be forced to hate on the next building program.

Kevin: Phelps usually gives UConn credit when it deserves it (his rant a few weeks ago about how Wake Forest should be No. 1 was a bit uncalled for, however). He will readily admit that UConn is one of the premier teams in the country. Smith will readily deny the fact that UConn even has a D-I football program. When the Huskies reached the No. 12 ranking in the BCS two years ago, he still picked against them every game - just as he had done (incorrectly, might I add) for the first seven or eight games of 2007.

Max: Robert Smith may have said a few things to irritate the fans of UConn football, but his hatred has yet to garner a reaction from the head coach. When Phelps was heard unnecessarily bashing the top-ranked Huskies during their manhandling of his beloved Fighting Irish, Jim Calhoun wondered "wasn't he honored and making a speech when we were trying to get the game going? And here's a guy who's going to be objective? I'm missing something there." Calhoun wasn't missing anything. Objectivity has never been an issue with Phelps, as he continues to degrade the accomplishments of UConn basketball with no rhyme or reason.

Kevin: Digger Phelps hates everyone that isn't Notre Dame or Pitt. UConn is just bunched in there with the likes of Syracuse, Georgetown, Villanova, etc. Smith goes out of his way to single out the Huskies. He doesn't hate on USF. He doesn't hate on Cincinnati. He certainly doesn't hate on West Virginia, but for whatever reason, he just can't stand Randy Edsall's lovable squad of overachievers. It's time for Smith to get over his issues with UConn and start hating on Ohio State. At least the Huskies can win a bowl game.

Max: During his time as an ESPN analyst, Robert Smith has taken the high road and refused to partake in any gimmicks, such as Phelps' well-documented matching of tie and highlighter. While his words may have hurt some feelings over the years, there has never been an act of hatred more blatant than Phelps' refusal to coordinate his wardrobe with the colors of the Connecticut Husky. Some may argue that it is impossible to highlight with dark blue and that it would simply cross everything out. Those people are na've. Until Phelps gets in front of the world a writing utensil of Husky blue, he will forever be known as the premier UConn hater in the world of college sports analysts.