Connecticut Huskies at Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Friday, 10/8/10, 7:30 PM EDT, TV: ESPN
Opening Point Spread: UCONN -5
Current Betting Line: UCONN -5
Opening Total: 42.5
Current Total: 42.5
Current Moneyline: UCONN -210/Rutgers +180
You can compare these odds on our college football betting odds page of the website.
UConn has completed its non-conference schedule with a 3-2 record and come into Big East play with a bit of momentum thanks to victories over Buffalo and Vanderbilt. The Huskies are 9-20 all-time against the Scarlet Knights and the team has dropped the last two in the series. “We’ve lost the last two to them by close scores and four of the last five, so we have to make sure we have a great week of preparation,” said head coach Randy Edsall. Six of the eight recent meetings have been settled by a touchdown or less and the team is 2-4 in the series since joining the Big East in 2004. Connecticut has an even 3-3 record in Big East Conference openers and has won two of their last three such games, losing to Pittsburgh 24-21 in 2009. The squad is 9-5 ATS over the last three years in conference games.
The Huskies own an all-time mark of 17-24 in Big East games and have put together a 19-27 road record since 2002. UConn will rely heavily on running back Jordan Todman, who carried the ball 37 times against Vanderbilt despite having an elbow injury that sidelined him for the previous game against Buffalo. He has led the team in rushing in all four games and ranks fourth in the country and second in the Big East at 159.50 yards per game. On the other side of the ball, the defense currently ranks 31st in the country in pass defense at 176.60 yards per game, while being led by All-Big East senior linebacker Lawrence Wilson. He has started 42 games in his career and ranks sixth in school history with 374 career tackles. The total is 6-8 O/U in the Huskies last 14 road games.
Rutgers is currently 2-2 on the season and opens conference play in front of a nationally televised audience. The Scarlet Knights have more wins versus Connecticut than any other active Big East opponent and picked up a thrilling 28-24 victory in East Hartford last year. Since 2005, Rutgers is 7-3 in home games at night on ESPN or ESPN, defeating the nation’s No. 2 ranked team (South Florida, 2007) and the No. 3 ranked team (Louisville, 2006) at Rutgers Stadium. Head coach Greg Schiano is looking to even up his October record on Friday night, as the squad is 17-18 during the month under his direction. Over the last five seasons, the Scarlet Knights are 13-7 in October. The team is 6-2 ATS during the month the past three years and 21-12 ATS in its last 33 opportunities.
The Scarlet Knights have serious problems on the offensive side of the ball, as the quarterback position is shaky at best. Regardless of who plays under center, they will be tested due to the offensive line allowing 13 sacks through the season’s first four games, after allowing 40 in 2009. With uncertainty on offense, Rutgers hopes of starting off conference play with a victory will rest squarely on the defense. The stop unit has allowed a total of 48 points, which is the second-fewest through four games under Schiano. The total is 24-17 Over/Under in the team’s last 41 conference games.
Bettors will be interested in playing the Huskies due to their 15-4 ATS mark in their last 19 games, but the Scarlet Knights are a solid 9-2 ATS as a underdog of 3.5-10 points.
Maddux Sports is coming in on 70% run with their football picks and could possibly be releasing a play on Friday’s UCONN/Rutgers game. Get these easy point spread winners by visiting our winning college football picks page of the site.
