University of Connecticut Vs South Florida

Today, the University of Connecticut Huskies take on the Bulls of South Florida in a 7:00 P.M. kick-off.  The Huskies are 6.5 point underdogs on the road.

Following the embarassment of the Navy game, I was surprised to see such a small number.  However Card Chronicle pointed out that the Bulls have struggled with an offense totally reliant on a freshman QB and to expect a lot of scoring would be unrealistic.

Last week, freshman WR Brad Kanuch provided one of the few bright spots. He made a fully-extended diving catch for a 42-yard gain.  (I hope Coach Edsall makes all his receivers watch that over and over and over again.  The alligator arms catches Huskies fans have endured for years is too much.  Think Jason Williams against Pittsburgh in 2004.)

How Kanuch does this week is one area that us Huskies fans can follow regardless of outcome.  Transitioning from a high school RB to a Division 1-A WR as a true freshman is the type of story that makes college football so enjoyable.  (From more click this link.)

With his 68 yards receiving, Kanuch is halfway to leading the team in receiving yards.  Ouch.

In the Huskies' favor is a stable of good RBs.  If senior Terry Caulley can get 87 yards on 14 carrie against Navy, I'd expect no less from him tonight.

The freshness of Navy QB Brian Hampton rushing for 182 yards and passing for another 141 is too close for me to easily dismiss USF's QB Matt Grothe as easily as Card Chronicle does.

If UCONN can avoid allowing the big plays they gave Navy last week (four TD drives of one play each) and if Grothe proves to be a considerable drop in ability from Navy's Brian Hampton, UCONN may be able to pull the upset in their 2006 Big East opener.

In combination of the lower than expected line and Card Chronicle's assessment, I have a little more hope for an upset than I would have otherwise believed possible.

For more on the Huskies see their web site or this blog.