NCAA Football
2012-11-03 - Connecticut Huskies at USF Bulls
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NCAA Football Week 10
Saturday 3 November 2012 - Kick Off 7pm
11pm (British Time)
Preview
The Big East has surprisingly got two of the better teams in terms of record and they also have one of the remaining six unbeaten teams amongst their schools, but these two teams contesting this game are not of that calibre.
The USF Bulls (2-6) have to be one of the biggest disappointments in the entire NCAA and they are now hosting the Connecticut Huskies (3-5), another team having a tough season. Neither team has won a game in the Big East this season, the Bulls losing all 4 and the Huskies losing all 3 they have played in the Conference.
Connecticut has really struggled to move the ball on the ground throughout the season and they have averaged just 2.5 yards per carry and even the returning Lyle McCombs couldn't change things last time out, although the bye week may have helped their cause. Even if it has, South Florida are a tough team to run on consistently and that could lead to more trouble for the Huskies.
While Chandler Whitmer has thrown for 7 touchdowns this season, he has also got 11 interceptions to his name in what has been an eye-opening experience for the Quarter Back. However, the Bulls are yet to pick off a ball this season, although they may find some chances coming their way to break that duck if the Huskies Offensive Line struggles to protect Whitmer as they have all season.
On the other side of the ball, South Florida racked up over 360 yards on the ground in an eventual loss to Syracuse and that is an area they can excel with BJ Daniels being a dual threat from the Quarter Back position. However, Lindsey Lamar is going to be missing for the Bulls and the Huskies have been playing the run tough all season with just 3 yards per carry given up so far.
That means it could be down to Daniels to make plays with his arm and he will be happy if Trevardo Williams misses out as is expected in this one. Williams is the sack leader for Connecticut so his absence will be huge for the Bulls Offensive Line which has struggled at times this season.
It should also give Daniels a little more time to make the plays required, although he has to stop making the mistakes that have killed South Florida throughout the season. The Huskies Defense has really performed at a high level for much of the season, but without their best pass rusher, it could be a different story for them in this one.
Head to Head
Connecticut have dominated the recent series between these teams, winning 3 in a row in the series and now leading 5-2 in the last 7 games between the teams.
The Huskies won their last visit to South Florida, but had previously lost 3 in a row here.
Prediction
I know Connecticut have done very well against South Florida in recent games, but the Bulls are the more talented team this year and should be able to find a way to win this game if they can get the Syracuse loss out of their mind.
South Florida can put in a huge effort to do so with a bye week to follow this game and I just feel they are going to win this one by double digits.
It will be close for a while, but the Huskies are making too many mistakes at the moment and I am looking for BJ Daniels to make enough big plays to cover the spread.
The Pick :
USF Bulls 20-10 Connecticut Huskies