Connecticut Huskies at Vanderbilt Commodores
Vanderbilt Stadium, Nashville, Tennessee
Saturday, September 10, 2011, 7:30 pm Eastern, TV: SNY, ESPN GP
Opening Line: Vanderbilt -1 1/2
Current Line: Vanderbilt -2 1/2
Opening Total: 44 1/2
Current Total: 44
Opening Money Line: Vanderbilt -125 / UConn +105
Current Money Line: Vanderbilt -135 / UConn +115
Last season UConn tied for the Big East title and went to a BCS Bowl. However, they lost their coach randy Edsall who left to coach Maryland, and most of their starters from last year. Connecticut hired former Syracuse coach Paul Pasqualoni to take over the program. However, the Huskies are in full rebuilding mode, which explains why they are a slight underdog to the worst team in the SEC. Vanderbilt is coached by James Franklin who is also in his first year with the program. UConn and Vanderbilt are meeting for the third time ever Saturday night. The series is tied 1-1 with UConn winning 40-21 last season in Hartford. Both schools are 1-0 after easy wins over FCS schools. Connecticut beat Fordham 35-3 and Vanderbilt beat Elon 45-14.
Connecticut’s game against Fordham was moved from Thursday night to Saturday afternoon because the stadium was being used as a staging area for relief efforts for the flooding caused by Hurricane Irene a couple of weeks ago. The Huskies crushed Fordham 35-3, allowing only the meaningless field goal to avoid the shutout. UConn had 434 total yards in the win, including 206 yards rushing. Quarterback Johnny McEntee was 8/12 passing with 113 yards and no touchdowns or picks. He also had 1 carry for -7 yards. Quarterback Michael Nebrich was 3/8 passing with 60 yards and an interception. Nebrich had 2 carries for 11 yards. Seth McCummings threw the only touchdown pass of the game for the Huskies, with a 55 yard pass in his only attempt of the game. He had 7 carries for 23 yards. Running back Lyle McCombs had 24 carries for 141 yards and 4 touchdown runs, along with 2 catches for 17 yards. Receiver Ryan Griffin had 3 catches for 97 yards including the 55 yard touchdown pass from McCummings. Kicker Dave Teggert didn’t attempt a field goal but was 5/5 on extra points.
On defense Connecticut held Fordham to 169 yards, including just 20 rushing yards. Forham only had 8 first downs and was 6 for 18 on third and fourth downs. UConn had 6 tackles for loss including one sack. The Huskies forced one turnover.
Elon pulled to within 7 points of Vanderbilt in the third quarter at 21-14, but Vanderbilt scored 24 unanswered points to win 45-14. Vanderbilt had only 309 total yards and no turnovers in the game. Quarterback Larry Smith was 13/27 passing, 125 yards, and 2 touchdowns. He also had 4 carries for 34 yards and a touchdown. Jordan Rodgers, younger brother of the Packers’ Aaron, also took some snaps. He was 3/4 for 52 yards, and one touchdown pass. He had 2 carries for -8 yards. Running back Zac Stacy had 8 carries for 35 yards. Wesley Tate had a 23 yard touchdown run in his only carry of the day. The Commodores rushed for 132 yards. Receiver Chris Boyd had 2 catches for 41 yards but both went for touchdowns. Fitz Lassing caught a 15 yard touchdown in his only catch of the day. Jordan Matthews had 3 catches for 58 yards. Vanderbilt kicker Casey Spear kicked a 33 yard field goal in his only attempt of the day and was 5 for 5 on extra points. Junior Ryan Fowler kicked one extra point as well.
Elon actually had more yards than Vanderbilt with 323 total yards, but 3 turnovers and 7 penalties doomed them to defeat. Vanderbilt had 6 tackles for loss and 2 sacks in the win. Vanderbilt held Elon to 83 yards rushing.
Connecticut is 18-8 ATS the last 3 seasons, including 11-3 as an underdog in those games. The Huskies are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 following a straight up win, 4-1 versus a team with a winning record, and 4-1 in their last 5 as an underdog. Vanderbilt is 01-10 ATS at home when the total is between 42.5 and 49 the last 3 seasons, and 1-10 ATS in home games with 6 days or less rest the last 3 seasons. The Commodores are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 after a straight up win by more than 20 points, and 1-10 ATS in their last 11 following a cover.
I know Connecticut is rebuilding but I think they can pull off the mild upset. Vanderbilt was a little shaky against Elon even though they ended up winning by 31 points, and UConn is a good defensive team. It will be close, and could even go into overtime.
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