Connecticut at Houston – Preview and Prediction
HOUSTON 28 UCONN (50)
Implied Projected Score: Houston 39 UConn 11
MEGALOCKS LINE – Houston 24
The Game
The red hot Houston Cougars are looking to keep their undefeated record intact as they host the Connecticut Huskies on Thursday night in Houston. The Cougars have looked fantastic this season in all three phases of the game. The Huskies are off to a 2-2 start but have to feel a bit disappointed that they could not take care of business last week at home vs Syracuse.
The Match-Up
Houston offense vs UConn defense
All things considered, the Huskies did a pretty decent job against Syracuse last week holding them to just 31 points. They got smoked for 400 yards passing but held their own against a very good offensive team. Now they face Houston who is even a bigger challenge to defend. QB Greg Ward has great mobility and is always looking down the field to make a play. They have a great set of athletic WRs that are going to give the Huskies major problems. They can also hammer you inside with the running game. Outside of a strange game at Cincinnati, the offense has really looked good, and they do not kill themselves with turnovers or penalties. The Huskies are ranked #109 in 3rd down defense which is not a good thing when facing the Cougars. UConn plays sound defense but look to be overmatched in this game. They are going to be on the field a lot.
UConn offense vs Houston defense
QB Bryant Shirreffs is not going to lose too many games but it will be a lot to ask him to win this one on the road. Shirreffs has only thrown two TD passes all season and loves to find WR Noel Thomas who has 40 receptions so far in 2016. The problem is that nobody else has double digits. Houston has the #1 (!) ranked run defense and is only allowing 37 yards per game. That includes a match-up with the Sooners. Without a ground game to rely upon the Huskies are not going to be able to sustain long drives. They will need help via turnovers or special teams to score more than 10 points.
MEGA Mini-Bites
REVENGE ANGLE GUY has to be excited about the potential in this one….UConn is significantly outgunned and Houston will look to exact revenge from last year’s defeat at the hands of the Huskies….you know…..the ONLY loss the Cougars suffered all season……FWIW QB Greg Ward did not play in that game……8 of the last 10 UConn games have gone under the total.
Summary
We think the Huskies are probably getting a few too many points but do not want to stand in front of this Cougars’ train right now. We just have a feeling they will be fired up and efficient once again and do not want to be hoping for a back-door cover.
Conclusion
Official play: None
Lean: None