QUICK FACTS - USF AT UConn:
· Game originally scheduled for September 9th (Hurricane Irma)
· USF leads the all-time series, 9-5
· The Bulls have won five straight games in the series (2012-2016)
· USF is 4-0 against the Huskies since The American Athletic Conference was founded in 2013.
The Huskies always have talent and can find ways to stop teams on defense. Former head coach Bob Diaco (now the defensive coordinator at Nebraska) knew nothing about putting together an offense, but he knew how to stop an offense. I expect UConn to take a step back on Bobby D’s favorite side of the ball.
It is also a shame we will not get the cranberry red pants on the sidelines from Bob. He was a character.
Now to history.
USF and UConn have an ugly history when it comes to scores. Granted, the last two seasons have actually produced some offense with both teams putting up at least 20 points:
2016 (Tampa): USF, 42-27
2015 (Connecticut): USF, 28-20
Prior to 2015, there was a run in the series where the scores were low and the games were difficult to watch:
2014 (TB): USF, 17-14
2013 (CT): USF, 13-10
2012 (TB): USF, 13-6
2011 (CT): UConn, 16-10
2010 (TB): UConn, 19-16
****In the Bulls’ seven road games in Connecticut, USF is averaging 17.7 points per game. Let that sink in.****
Quinton Flowers had five total touchdowns last season against the Huskies, including three rushing scores. In his career against UConn Flowers (two starts) has posted the following numbers: 34/52, 370 passing yards, 255 rushing yards, eight total touchdowns, four interceptions.
Flowers has had two interceptions in each game against UConn, so that is not a good sign. In fact those four interceptions are the most Flowers has thrown against any opponent in his career.
Final Thought:
Randy Edsall is 5-4 all-time as a head coach against USF, with four of those wins coming as the Huskies head coach. And at home, in Storrs or East Hartford, Edsall is 3-1 all-time against the Bulls, winning his last three home games against USF dating back to his first stint as head coach of the Huskies (1999-2010).
Prediction:
I think USF needs to get off to a fast start. Scoring on their opening drive for the first time this season would be a nice way to do that. I am a little concerned with the weather (anticipated weather at kickoff: …it’s a quick change so early in the season for the Bulls.
Look for at least two turnovers. The Bulls defense will rebound from Houston!
USF has never scored more than 28 in a game in Connecticut, so I am not breaking the mold here:
USF 27 UConn - 10