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A lot of this depends on KayJay and Colsons status. I wont lay the bet til 2 mins before kickoff.
I am thinking West Virginia -6.5
After studying this game for quite a while, and hearing thoughts from numerous respected cappers I will lay a wager on the Mountaineers.
West Virginia RB Kay Jay Harris, from what I've heard latest, has been listed as questionable, but in such a crucial game...one in which West Virginia needs to come out strong after dropping one at Virginia Tech two weeks ago, I think Harris will play, and effectively I may add. Tyler King, one of if not UConn's most consistent defensive lineman is out until late November with a broken leg. Albeit, the Huskies haven't surrendered a 100 yard rusher yet (holding teams to an average of 99.2 yards a game) I think the Mountaineers running game (which averages a whopping 247.6 yards a game) will be able to crack at least 150 here. In the event that Harris needs a breather, his backup Jason Colson is efficient and their 3rd stringer Bryan Wright (despite his lack of size) has looked good.
Adding to the pressure of stopping the run is the fact that QB Rasheed Marshall can scramble quite well. UConn has yet to play a team that possesses a great running attack along with a QB that can run (Pitt only had QB Palko really...RB Raymond Kirkley's 27 yards on 11 carries wasn't much of a threat).
UConn's QB Dan Orlovsky has a great arm, there is no disputing that. However, if I'm not mistaken this will be the first time this season UConn has faced an opponent that employs the 3-3-5 defense. I look for this to put a major dampener on the big play ability of the UConn passing attack. A few weeks ago, BYU used their 3-3-5 defense at Boise State, and for the longest time the Broncos were horribly lost on offense and couldn't make anything happen. Now, I'm not comparing the talent on these teams in any manner...I am however pointing out how the 3-3-5 can slow down a passing attack, especially with this veteran West Virginia secondary.
The 3-3-5 defense can give up its share of rushing yards, and I believe that is what has caused the Mountaineers to give up about 136 yards per game on the ground. RB Cornell Brockington will get some yards today, but without a viable passing attack to back him up, I don't picture him getting many TDs if any.
Special teams wise, I think both teams are on par except I like West Virginia's KR Adam Jones, field position is always key and if this guy can rip a few good returns...the Mountaineers will make life a living Huskie hell.
I might play the under 49.5 as well.
I am thinking West Virginia -6.5
After studying this game for quite a while, and hearing thoughts from numerous respected cappers I will lay a wager on the Mountaineers.
West Virginia RB Kay Jay Harris, from what I've heard latest, has been listed as questionable, but in such a crucial game...one in which West Virginia needs to come out strong after dropping one at Virginia Tech two weeks ago, I think Harris will play, and effectively I may add. Tyler King, one of if not UConn's most consistent defensive lineman is out until late November with a broken leg. Albeit, the Huskies haven't surrendered a 100 yard rusher yet (holding teams to an average of 99.2 yards a game) I think the Mountaineers running game (which averages a whopping 247.6 yards a game) will be able to crack at least 150 here. In the event that Harris needs a breather, his backup Jason Colson is efficient and their 3rd stringer Bryan Wright (despite his lack of size) has looked good.
Adding to the pressure of stopping the run is the fact that QB Rasheed Marshall can scramble quite well. UConn has yet to play a team that possesses a great running attack along with a QB that can run (Pitt only had QB Palko really...RB Raymond Kirkley's 27 yards on 11 carries wasn't much of a threat).
UConn's QB Dan Orlovsky has a great arm, there is no disputing that. However, if I'm not mistaken this will be the first time this season UConn has faced an opponent that employs the 3-3-5 defense. I look for this to put a major dampener on the big play ability of the UConn passing attack. A few weeks ago, BYU used their 3-3-5 defense at Boise State, and for the longest time the Broncos were horribly lost on offense and couldn't make anything happen. Now, I'm not comparing the talent on these teams in any manner...I am however pointing out how the 3-3-5 can slow down a passing attack, especially with this veteran West Virginia secondary.
The 3-3-5 defense can give up its share of rushing yards, and I believe that is what has caused the Mountaineers to give up about 136 yards per game on the ground. RB Cornell Brockington will get some yards today, but without a viable passing attack to back him up, I don't picture him getting many TDs if any.
Special teams wise, I think both teams are on par except I like West Virginia's KR Adam Jones, field position is always key and if this guy can rip a few good returns...the Mountaineers will make life a living Huskie hell.
I might play the under 49.5 as well.