Friday, September 19, 2014

Raymond James Stadium in Tampa

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Two teams looking to get back on track after losses set their sites on each other when UConn heads to South Florida to take on the Bulls. Both squads have started the 2014 campaign with 1-2 records and USF has found themselves mired in a 2-game losing streak. Relief could come against the lackluster Huskies offense which has only scored 16.7 points a game thus far (118th in FBS) while only churning out 66.7 yards on the ground per (123rd).

UConn's record is somewhat deceiving with 2 of the losses coming against the hands of teams who simply outman them, a 35-10 season opening defeat to BYU and a 38-21 loss to Boise State a week ago. Offensive line play has been a common denominator for the Huskies poor play this season with the two QB's going down a combined 8 times in last week's game against Boise State. The Broncos also scored twice on defense, one of the main reasons UConn couldn't act on a 24-21 deficit in the third quarter. Another interesting thing to note is that the Friday night matchup with South Florida will be the first road game for Connecticut this season.

The Bulls aim to get right in what will be their fourth straight home game to begin the 2014 season. The home cooking hasn't been kind thus far, with Maryland coming to town in week 2 capturing a 24-17 win followed by a 49-17 shellacking at the hands of NC State a week ago. The back to back losses are disappointing for USF after starting the year 1-0 after a 36-31 win over Western Carolina. The Bulls managed just 8 first downs a week ago against NC State while allowing 589 yards, 315 of which came on the ground. Much like their Friday night opponents, South Florida has struggled on offense throwing for just 151 yards per game in 2014 (116th in FBS). A poor scoring attack paired with a defense that has given up 34.7 PPG is not the optimum recipe for success.

Throw out the records when these two squads get together, mostly because they've been so bad thus far in 2014. Something's got to give though when two teams ranked 90th or worse in both points scored and points allowed do battle under the Friday night lights.

Connecticut Huskies Betting Trends

Connecticut Huskies are 0-3-0 Against the Spread

Connecticut Huskies are 1-1-0 against the Over/Under

South Florida Bulls Betting Trends

South Florida Bulls are 1-2-0 Against the Spread

South Florida Bulls are 2-1-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

Connecticut Huskies

09/15/14 DL Angelo Pruitt Leg out for season
09/15/14 OL Bryan Paull Upper Body out for season
09/08/14 QB Casey Cochran Concussion out for season

South Florida Bulls

09/14/14 WR Andre Davis Sternum "?" Friday vs. Connecticut
08/30/14 DB Jalen Spencer Forearm out indefinitely
08/23/14 LB Nick Holman Shoulder out for season

Josh's Pick: Take South Florida

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