Connecticut Huskies
2010 record: 8-5 overall, 5-2 conference
2010 Bowl Game: 48-20 loss vs Oklahoma in Fiesta Bowl
2010 ATS: 8-5
2010 O/U: 6-7
Returning starters: 15 total (6 on offense, 9 on defense)
Over the month of August, our team of writers will be previewing the top teams heading into an exciting 2011 campaign. The college football handicappers at Maddux Sports are also preparing and have season-long packages readily available for clients. Let’s take a look at the first year of the Paul Pasqualoni era in Storrs, Connecticut.
Offense
Connecticut will feature new starters at quarterback, running back and at all three interior line positions. The Huskies finished second in the Big East and 63rd nationally in scoring offense a year ago, averaging 26.4 points a game.
The Huskies feature just one quarterback that has actually started a collegiate game, as signal-caller Mike Box is the early favorite to win out and be under center for the season opener against Fordham.
If Box slips up, red-shirt freshman Scott McCummings and mid-year enrollee Mike Nebrich are the most likely candidates to fill the void.
Senior D.J. Shoemate transferred from USC before the 2010 season and played in all 13 games last year at the running back position. He was stuck behind star Jordan Todman. That loss can’t be underestimated, as he piled up 1,695 yards and 14 touchdowns a year ago.
Some experience returns in the receiving core, led by senior Kashif Moore, who was second on the team with 36 receptions a year ago, while Isiah Moore had 15 catches and a touchdown.
The offensive line is led by experienced tackles that have combined for 38 career starts. Both Adam Masters and Mike Ryan were key parts of a unit that allowed Todman to finish second nationally in rushing yards.
Defense
Massive experience is found on this side of the ball from a unit that finished 35th in scoring defense last year, allowing 22.0 points a game. It still must be noted that the two departures from the defense are huge losses, as linebackers Lawrence Wilson and Scott Lutrus combined for 91 career starts.
All four starters from its 2010 defensive line and all four from its secondary will be back. The group really came together in its last three conference games last year, holding Syracuse, Cincinnati and South Florida to a combined 39 points.
Connecticut finished with a plus-12 turnover margin a year ago and the defense will need to continue creating turnovers with inexperience at the quarterback position.
Special Teams
Senior kicker Dave Teggart is a major weapon and has a school-record 52 career field goals. He returns after earning All-Big East First Team honors in 2010.
The punting responsibilities will once again be handled by sophomore Cole Wagner, averaging 41.3 yards per punt last year, which was third in school single-season history.
Field position is likely to be controlled by the Huskies all season long, as junior Nick Williams led the country in kickoff return average a year ago.
Against the Spread
Connecticut has been a solid team to back for bettors over the past four years, posting a 30-17-1 ATS mark over that span. Watch the college football lines page each week for the latest market moves.
Bet On
Facing Buffalo in Week 4 is likely to be money in the bank, as the Huskies have covered the last six meetings.
Fade Away
The athleticism that West Virginia possesses is often a tough matchup for a more pedestrian program, leading to Connecticut going 2-5 ATS in the last seven meetings.
