Game Preview: Connecticut at Cincinnati

Connecticut at Cincinnati Saturday, 8:00pm on ABC

This game has so many great story lines I just couldn’t ignore it.  Forgive me if they are not all wager related.  Of course you have Cincy pitching a perfect season so far, sitting on the outside of the BCS championship game…and you have the sadness of UConn, having lost one of their own and displaying so much pride, dignity and courage.  Throw in the possible return of Tony Pike who was maybe leading the Heisman race and there is a lot to talk about.  I think that might be why this game is in prime time…I’m not sure but I think the game time might have been moved.

What else can you say about Cincinatti.  They have a perfect record and have been continuing to dispatch opponents even with their backup QB.  It is amazing how far this program has come.  The closest any team has come is 10 points so it is not surprising that the line has been set at -17 this week.  Connecticut is a determined and emotional squad but I do not see away they can win this game.

However, it should be noted that last year UConn destroyed the Bearcats in Storrs 40-16 but that team had more talent than this one Husky fans. The past two weeks have been tough.  The tragic loss of Jasper Howard has been followed by two close losses and I credit Randy Edsall for keeping his team together.  For the sake of everyone I hope this game will not be a blowout and I think that will not be the case.  It may not be in doubt for very long but the Huskies will put up another spirited and gutty performance.

Game Prediction: The Bearcats will jump all over the Huskies in the 1Q behind their  back-up QB who has been lighting it up.  As the game goes on the Huskies will tighten things up and will get a turnover once Cincy puts Pike in the game.  A short field will generate some points and give UConn a little extra energy but a late score by Cincy will make a spirited game look more lopsided then it really was.

Score Prediction:

CINCINNATI – 34

UCONN – 20

Take UConn + 17

News/Notes:

- Home team has covered in last 5 matchups

- Last two at Cincinatti were under

- Huskies are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as an underdog.

- Huskies are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 road games.

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