UConn just keeps finding ways to win. And if the Huskies haven’t won, they’ve been competitive against everyone they’ve played thus far.
UConn is 6-3 overall and has earned bowl-eligibility for the third time in Jim Mora’s tenure as head coach. The Huskies have defeated Central Connecticut, Ball State, Buffalo, FIU, UAB, and most notably Boston College. Their three losses, against Syracuse, Delaware, and Rice, were all decided in overtime.
So can UConn keep this week’s game close as well?
The Huskies will host Duke this week. The Blue Devils are 5-3 overall and are coming off a narrow win at Clemson. They’ve already lost to a Group of Five school, Tulane, on the road.
Duke vs. UConn Betting Odds
Duke is a 8.5-point college football betting odds favorite against UConn, with the Over/Under being 63.5 as of this writing. The moneyline for Duke is -300, while it’s +240 for UConn.
Duke vs. UConn On TV
The matchup between Duke and UConn will be televised on CBSSN.
The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Nov. 8. The contest is taking place at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut.
Duke vs. UConn Prediction
I predict UConn will win and cover the 8.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 63.5 total points.
Considering Duke is coming off a huge victory against Clemson – and lost by just nine points in its prior game against Georgia Tech – and the fact that the Blue Devils have to look forward to taking on No. 14-ranked Virginia this week, I think UConn has a great opportunity to pull off an upset.
Whether it’s a low-scoring affair, a high-scoring battle, or somewhere in between, the Huskies have proven they can be competitive with any level of opponent.
The Joe Fagnano-to-Skyler Bell connection has been overwhelming for opposing teams this year. Fagnano has thrown for 2,529 yards, 22 touchdowns, and no interceptions on a 69% completion rate while rushing for two TDs. Bell has caught 74 passes for 994 yards and 11 TDs.
Cam Edwards is pacing UConn with 815 yards and nine touchdowns rushing. Wide receivers John Neider (21 catches for 347 yards and one TD) and Reymello Murphy (23 receptions for 261 yards and three TDs) as well as tight end Juice Vereen (17 catches for 259 yards and four TDs) have made critical plays in the passing game as well.
On the defensive side, linebacker Bryun Parham has been electric. He has a team-high 80 tackles, 9.5 sacks, and three fumble recoveries. Linebacker Oumar Diomande (76 tackles and four sacks), defensive back Malachi McLean (52 tackles and two passes defended), and DB Cam Chadwick (49 tackles, four interceptions, and three passes defended) have helped UConn stay in games.
I don’t expect UConn will win by a blowout by any means. But I do think UConn will manage to keep this game close until the end and will find a way to win at home.
