Two schools that like to mix in a lot of running plays, Head Coach Randy Edsall and the Connecticut Huskies (+33) are set to pay a visit to their in-conference foe No. 21 South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium. CBS Sports Network will broadcast the action and the matchup is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. ET.
Connecticut Huskies at South Florida Bulls Betting Preview
South Florida is heavily favored in this matchup and is currently giving up 33 points to Connecticut. If the Bulls stumble early on it will generate a nice in-game betting opportunity. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 69 points.
The game’s total was set initially at 70, but the under has received the bulk of the early sharp action.
The Huskies have recorded 0.0 units so far and are 1-5 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U mark of 2-3. Despite a 2-4 record ATS, the Bulls have been a nice surprise for moneyline bettors this season, gaining 5.5 units. The team also has an O/U record of 2-3.
The flawless Huskies have gone just 1-5 straight up (SU), including 0-3 SU against AAC opponents. The Bulls are 6-0 SU overall and 2-0 SU in conference play.
The Huskies fell to Memphis 55-14 in a thumping where the passing attack left much to be desired as the Huskies completed 24-of-43 passes for 215 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. David Pindell went 22-for-37 for 190 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions while Marvin Washington completed two-of-six for 25 yards and one interception. Kevin Mensah (21 rushing yards on 13 attempts) led the running attack. Aaron McLean (six receptions, 64 yards) and Hergy Mayala (five catches, 47 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
South Florida just got a 25-24 win over Tulsa. Blake Barnett completed 17-of-39 passes for 237 yards and one interception. Jordan Cronkrite (151 yards on 25 rush attempts, one TD) led the running game as Tyre McCants (eight receptions, 91 yards) and Mitchell Wilcox (five catches, 95 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the win.
Each of these squads sports a similar run-pass ratio on the season. Connecticut has run the ball on 53.0 percent of its offensive possessions while South Florida has an overall rush percentage of 54.9. The Huskies have rushed for 166 yards/game (including 144 per game against American Athletic Conference opponents) and have seven touchdowns on the ground this year. The Bulls are totaling 219 rushing yards per game (183 in conference) and have 15 total rush TDs.
If the numbers so far this season are any indication, then it appears the Bulls ought to have the edge in terms of RB efficiency, as their running backs has logged 5.4 yards per carry while their defense has allowed 4.5 YPC to opponents. The Huskies have registered 4.5 yards per carry while allowing 7.8 YPC to opponents.
The Huskies offense has averaged 212 yards through the air overall (221 per game against conference opposition) and has 10 passing TDs so far. The Bulls have produced 269 pass yards per outing (209.0 against AAC competition) and have nine total pass scores.
Defensively, Connecticut has allowed 322 rush yards and 336 pass yards per game. The South Florida defense has allowed 188.2 yards per game to opposing passers and 214.0 yards per game to opposing runners. The Bulls are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 4.41 to opposing QBs, while the Huskies have given up a whopping 12.28 ANY/A.
Passing-wise, Pindell has amassed 997 yards this season. He’s connected on 97-of-150 attempts with eight passing scores and five interceptions. Pindell’s got a 5.53 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 4.42 over the last two games.
Blake Barnett has completed 97-of-164 passes for 1,341 yards, eight TDs and four INTs for South Florida. His ANY/A stands at 7.12 for the season and 5.18 over his past two outings.
When these two teams faced one another a year ago, South Florida earned the win 37-20.
RELATED: Week 8 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Pick: Connecticut Huskies at South Florida Bulls
SU Winner – South Florida, ATS Winner – Connecticut, O/U – Over
Click Here to Start Betting Today!
Notes
Team Betting Trends
The South Florida defense has recorded 19 sacks on the year while Connecticut has just seven.
South Florida has lost two fumbles in 2018 while the Connecticut offense has lost seven.
The Huskies offense has registered three pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Bulls have accounted for eight such plays.
The Connecticut defense has allowed seven pass plays of 40 yards or more, while South Florida has given up three such plays.
The Connecticut offense has created six rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while South Florida has created 10 such runs.
The Huskies defense has allowed 25 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Bulls have given up 13 such runs.
The O/U for South Florida’s last match was set at 59.5. The under cashed in that 25-24 victory over Tulsa.
Over its last three contests, South Florida is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
In its last three matches, Connecticut is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
The Over/Under for Connecticut’s last game going into it was 77.5. The under cashed in the team’s 55-14 loss to Memphis.
Connecticut has rushed for 4.0 yards per attempt over its past three outings and 3.7 over its last two.
South Florida has averaged 6.1 yards per carry over its last three games and 7.0 over its last two.
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