Virginia at Connecticut – Preview and Prediction
UCONN 4.5 VIRGINIA 48.5
Implied Projected Score: UConn 26.5 Virginia 22
MEGALOCKS LINE – UConn 4
The Game
The Cavaliers travel across the country from Oregon to take on UConn on Saturday. Virginia is still looking for their first win while UConn is 1-1 with a win over Maine on their resume. Let the festivities begin. Virginia better step up their game if they want to make it to bowl season.
The Match-Up
UConn offense vs Virginia defense
We really like QB Bryant Shirreffs. He is not flashy but very dependable. The problem with the UConn offense right now is that their QB is the leading rusher and they only have one receiver with over 5 receptions so far. WR Noel Thomas has hauled in 20 balls. The Virginia defense has been awful early on which we do not quite understand. Yes, Oregon is a JUGGERNAUT but they also got ripped apart by the wacky FCS Richmond Spiders at home for over 500 yards. We have to believe HC Mendenhall can come up with a game plan to stop UConn but the Huskies would be smart to just pound the running game and see what happens.
Virginia offense vs UConn defense
The Cavaliers have a very capable QB in Kurt Benkert but have not been able to establish any kind of ground attack . If you are backing Virginia in this one, please undertand, we do not think a one-dimensional offense is going to work on the road in Storrs, Connecticut.
We were (and still are ??) high on the Huskies defense this season but they were abused in the passing game by MAINE in week one. They did a fine job vs the Navy ground attack last week but we are still not 100% sure how good they will be this season. Do not forget – they only allowed 19.5 points per game last year, and we really like HC Diaco.
MEGA morsels
UConn is ranked #1 in the FBS in penalty yards per game so we feel pretty good that they will not beat themselves in this contest….LONG-TIME MEGALOCKS readers will know that we have been around the block a few times and one of the all-time no-nos is backing the road team at UConn. We have seen pretty much everything at that venue including bizarre calls, mysterious fumbles and UFOs landing on the pitch. Consider yourself warned.
Summary
We might be wrong but feel that this game is lined perfectly. Our gut tells us that the under is the way to go BUT Virginia will throw the ball 40-50 times in this one and that means more points than you would expect. Maybe. Just no feel for either team yet. Someone help us out with Virginia. What is going on ?
Conclusion
Official play: None
Lean: None