Connecticut at UCF NCAA Football Picks and Tips 9/28/2019

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Spectrum Stadium

Spectrum Stadium is the site where Dillon Gabriel and the UCF Knights will take on the Connecticut Huskies on Saturday. UCF opens this contest as 39.5-point favorites. The Huskies are 1-2-0 ATS and 0-3-0 when betting on the total. The Knights are 2-2-0 when wagering on the over/under and 3-1-0 against the spread.

Key Connecticut Huskies Injuries

09/22/19 WR Donovan Williams Undisclosed is questionable Saturday vs Central Florida
09/16/19 QB Micah Leon Shoulder is out for season

Key UCF Knights Injuries

08/08/19 QB McKenzie Milton Knee is out indefinitely

In their last game, the Connecticut Huskies took on the Indiana Hoosiers and took the defeat by a score of 38-3. Running the show from under center for the Huskies was Jack Zergiotis who went 14/28 with 90 yards passing but wasn't able to throw a ball for a TD. He tossed 1 interception during the game. Kevin Mensah led the team on the ground during the game. He had a long run of 8 yards but wasn't able to convert a rushing touchdown. He rushed for 34 yards by way of 10 carries which meant he averaged 3.4 yards per tote. Cameron Ross was the leader in receiving yardage with a total of 30 yards on 3 receptions. He notched an average of 10.0 yards per catch during the game. The Connecticut Huskies rushed the ball a total of 22 times and earned a total of 51 yards giving them an average of 2.3 yards per attempt. On the day, the Huskies racked up a total of 9 first downs and they had a total of 7 penalties for 45 yards which tells us that they had an average outing in terms of discipline. In the game, they totaled 52 plays which gave them a total of 145 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, Connecticut conceded 24 completions on 28 attempts totaling 252 yards, and a completion percentage of 85.7%. In the running game, the Huskies conceded 178 yards on 40 tries allowing their opponent an average of 4.5 yards per attempt allowed. For this contest, they conceded 430 yards and earned 2 turnovers.

The Huskies head into this game 1-2 this season. They are one of lowest scoring teams in the nation with an average of 16.7 points per game, putting them 126th in D-1. As a team, they are averaging 98.3 yards on the ground per game which is 12th in the conference. For total yards, they are currently ranked 12th in the AAC and 128th in D-1 with 822 yards. The Huskies have one of the average defenses in college football, allowing 30 points per game which has them at 11th in the AAC. When it comes to yards rushing, Connecticut is giving up 138 yards per game ranking them 6th in the conference and 59th in the country. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 4.4 yards per rush putting them 10th in the AAC and 87th in college football overall. Overall, they have conceded 414 rushing yards through 3 contests. When it comes to passing yards, the Huskies have allowed 527 yards. Opponents are completing 69.8% of the passes they throw against them and averaging 6.5 yards per try.

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In their last game, the UCF Knights played the Pittsburgh Panthers and were beaten 35-34. Adrian Killins Jr. led the team on the ground for that game. His longest run of the day went for 36 yards and he ran for 1 TD for the game. He racked up a total of 46 yards on 8 carries which had him averaging 5.8 yards per run. Gabriel Davis was the leader in receiving yardage by earning 151 yards on 10 catches. He had an average of 15.1 yards per catch for that game. Leading the way at QB for the Knights was Dillon Gabriel who went 25/42 with 338 yards passing and added 2 TD's. He walked away with 2 interceptions in the game. The UCF Knights ended up rushing 34 times and earned a total of 85 yards which gave them an average of 2.5 yards per rush. For the game, the Knights had a total of 20 first downs and they had 7 penalties for 74 yards which is telling of how their week of practice went. For the game, they ran 76 plays which gave them a total of 423 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, UCF gave up 28 completions on 51 attempts totaling 243 yards, and a completion percentage of 54.9%. Overall, they gave up 439 yards and earned 1 takeaway. Against the run, the Knights gave up 196 yards on 37 runs giving the other team an average of 5.3 yards per carry allowed.

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The Knights head into this matchup 3-1. UCF has made teams game plan around their running game by averaging 233.3 yards on the ground per contest, ranking them 26th in D-1. As a team, they have a total of 933 yards rushing through 4 games, so they'll look to continue their dominance on the ground to grind out wins. The Knights average 559 yards per contest overall which has them at 5th in the nation and 1st in the conference. The Knights are allowing 19 points per game ranking them 4th in the American Athletic Conference and 34th in the nation. Their passing defense is one of the best units in the country. They are conceding 186.3 passing yards per game. For passing yards allowed per game, the Knights are currently ranked 6th in the conference. In terms of points allowed, they have given up 76 total points. In terms of rushing yards, they are conceding 113.3 yards per contest which puts them at 40th in college football and 2nd in the conference. For 2019, they have allowed 453 rushing yards and 3.2 rushing TDs.

Who will win tonight's Huskies/Knights college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Huskies +39.5

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