Free Week 3 Prediction: Huskies vs Tigers
Week 3 College football betting sees the UConn Huskies taking on the Missouri Tigers Saturday September 19th at Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field in Columbia. Cappers Picks provides complimentary handicapping picks all NCAA football season long so stay tuned for more FREE college football predictions.
Week 3
Connecticut (2-0) vs. #20 Missouri (2-0)
Date: Saturday, September 19th
Time: 12:00 PM
Venue: Memorial Stadium/Faurot Field – Columbia
NCAA Football Spread: Missouri -21.5
NCAA Betting Total: 41.0
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UConn is 2-0 thus far but have lost 15 of their last 18 on the road. They head to Missouri where the Tigers have been unimpressive in their two wins thus far after having high expectations entering this season.
They will be without star running back Russell Hansbrough who will be sidelined with an injury in the Tigers last game before starting their SEC schedule.
UConn has won their first two games – matching their win total for 2014.
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The Tigers are well aware they need to play better if they want any chance to win some SEC games. UConn will be a chance for them to get going.
UConn
NC State transfer Bryant Shirreffs has been leading the way at quarterback for the Huskies thus far.
The Huskies have won both their games at home by five points – over FCS team Villanova and Army.
Traveling to Missouri to take on the Tigers will be a whole different level of competition.
High school standout Arkeel Newsome ran for 10,672 yards and 187 touchdowns in high school – both Connecticut state records.
He is yet to get anywhere near that level of production so far – rushing for 262 on 63 carries in his career at UConn.
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While never being relied upon heavily for production at NC State, Shirreffs likely learned the mindset necessary going into big games. UConn will be relying on him as they hit the road for the first time this season.
This is the first time that UConn and Missouri have played. UConn is 2-22 against ranked opponents since making the jump to FBS in 2000.
If UConn wants to stick around with one of the big boys, Shirreffs and Newsome are going to have to be a dynamic rushing duo for the Huskies.
Missouri
Maty Mauk has had himself quite the career as Missouri’s starting quarterback. As a junior, the Tigers will be relying on him for leadership even more.
Mauk will be without his biggest weapon out of the backfield as Hansbrough sits out with an injury. So this week, the Tigers will be relying on Mauk even more than normal.
But, the Tigers offensive line has to do a better job protecting Mauk. With Hansbrough out, head coach Gary Pinkel mentioned the Tigers will be relying on Mauk to run more this week.
For Mauk to play effectively, the offensive line will have to minimize the times he is hit in the pocket.
Backup running Ish Witter ran for 50 yards on 12 attempts last week and will be expected to fill in quickly for Hansbrough.
Defensively, the Tigers shouldn’t have a problem with UConn’s attack – it will be nothing compared to the units they will run into in the SEC.
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Pinkel emphasized the Tigers improving the play of their offensive line coming into this matchup. He likely isn’t worried about the threat of the Huskies’ front seven. But, they will need to be playing better when they face Kentucky, South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia in their next four games.
NCAA Football Handicapping Trends
• UConn is 1-5 ATS in non-conference games since start of 2014.
• UConn is 1-3 ATS as the road team since start of 2014.
• Missouri is 9-7 ATS since start of 2014.
• Missouri is 6-5 ATS after a win since start of 2014.
• The total has gone under five of the last six times the Tigers were home favorites.
Free Week 3 NCAA Football Prediction
Missouri will prove what SEC defenses are capable of as the Huskies will struggle to put points on the board. The Huskies are improved from last year but still nothing near the level of this opponent.
6* Free NCAA Betting Pick: Missouri -21.5
Mauk will prove to be a problem with his arm and his legs as the Tigers will roll over UConn.
Week 3 Free Score Prediction: Missouri 31 – UConn 3
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