Michigan vs. Connecticut NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
The Wolverines looked winded after one of their worst performances at the Big House, and will aim to solidify their No. 11 ranking when the travel to East Hartford to take on a struggling Connecticut Huskies team that is still searching for their first win of the 2013 season.
No. 11 Michigan (3-0) vs. Connecticut (0-2)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013
Time: 8 p.m. EST
Venue: Rentschler Field
City: East Hartford
O/U Odds: 51
Spread: Michigan -17 ½
Connecticut dropped its second in a row after falling to the Maryland Terrapins this past weekend.
The Huskies are well on their way to their fourth consecutive 1-11 season after losing to FCS cupcake Towson in Week 1, and then to the Terps, 32-21.
And while UConn has had little trouble moving the ball, they have had little success in stopping its two opponents this season, giving up 894 yards and 65 points.
Quarterback Chandler Whitmer, kept the Huskies in their bout with Maryland, throwing for a career-high 349 yards. However, he was intercepted twice, and a costly intentional grounding penalty late in the game gave the Terps just what the needed to put the game away.
It’s those type of mistakes that have plagued the Huskies this season.
Nevertheless, another bright spot on the UConn offense is receiver Shakim Phillips, who hauled in a career-high 10 passes for 178 yards and a late touchdown, versus Maryland.
Defensively, the Huskies have gave up over 500 yards to the Terrapins and will need to grow up quick if they want to have any hope against Michigan. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The Wolverines arrive in Connecticut after narrowly escaping an upset at home against the Akron Zips who challenges the Michigan defense, who were forced to make two crucial stops inside the 5-yard line to hang on for a 28-24 victory.
Offensively, the Wolverines struggled early on as quarterback Devin Gardner threw a pair of interceptions in the first half and the Zips all but completely shut down the Wolverines’ rushing attack.
After a terrible first half, Gardner finished the contest 16-of-30 with 238 yards, a pair of touchdowns and three INT’s. He also added 103 yards and a TD on the ground and while running back Fitzgerald Toussaint eventually found a bit of success, tacking on 71 yards and a touchdown.
In the end, Michigan finished the game with 425 total yards.
Matt’s Prediction
These two teams have met once before, with Michigan walking away with a 30-10 home victory Sept. 4, 2010.
And while I wasn’t impressed with the Wolverines first half performance against Akron, the team did pull together in the second half of the contest.
The will still need to eliminate the turnovers and costly penalties if they want to get to 4-0 in a hostile road environment this weekend.
Michigan will need to start much more quickly, using their skill and athleticism to shock a rebuilding UConn defensive unit.
This one won’t even be close.
Michigan 50, UConn 14
