Both of these teams have been inconsistent thus far.
UConn is 3-2 with some close wins as well as some narrow losses. The Huskies started out with a 59-13 win over FCS Central Connecticut and followed that with an overtime loss at Syracuse.
But then the Huskies went to overtime again and lost, this time at first-year FBS program Delaware.
But UConn bounced back from that two-game losing skid and has won its last two contests, 31-25 vs. Ball State and 20-17 at Buffalo.
Florida International, meanwhile is 2-2 with a journey that isn’t so different. The Panthers began with an FCS win over their own, 42-9 over Bethune-Cookman, and also lost at a Power Four foe, 34-0 at Penn State.
Then FIU won at home over FAU 38-28 before losing its Conference USA opener – against Delaware – 38-16.
FIU vs. UConn Betting Odds
UConn is a -7 college football betting odds favorite against FIU, with the Over/Under being 52.5 as of this writing.
The moneyline for FIU is +220, while it’s -275 for UConn.
FIU vs. UConn On TV
The matchup between FIU and UConn will be televised on CBSSN.
The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 4. The contest is taking place at Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut.
FIU vs. UConn Prediction
I predict UConn will win and cover the seven-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 52.5 total points.
With Keyone Jenkins at quarterback, I think FIU has some talent on offense. But the Panthers have struggled on that side of the ball in recent weeks. They’ve allowed 100 points in their last three outings and haven’t limited any of their last three opponents to less than 28.
UConn, meanwhile, is pretty balanced. Not including the Delaware game, the Huskies haven’t allowed anyone to score more than 27 points, including in that overtime contest at Syracuse.
But what ultimately makes me think UConn will win is the Huskies’ skill position players. They are some of the most productive players in the country right now.
Huskies wide receiver Skyler Bell leads the nation with 42 receptions and is fourth with 499 yards through the air. He’s also tallied four receiving touchdowns.
UConn running back Cam Edwards is fifth in the FBS with 557 rushing yards, as he averaged 6.3 yards per carry. He’s also tied for 13th with six touchdowns on the ground.
And on defense, linebacker Bryun Parham has been a problem for opposing offensive lines. He’s second in the FBS with 5.5 sacks and is tied for a team lead with 38 tackles.
With stars like that, I think UConn can win by 10 or more points.
