The Connecticut Huskies (2-2) head to Provo to play the BYU Cougars (2-2). Check out the BYU vs. Connecticut prediction and game preview.

BYU vs. Connecticut Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Friday, October 2

Game Time: 10:15 ET

Network: ESPN2

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Why You Need To Care

BYU returns home looking to get back on track following demoralizing back-to-back losses to UCLA and Michigan. The Bruin game stung because the once-ranked Cougars squandered a late lead. Last week’s Wolverine loss hurt, though, because the Cougs were thoroughly outclassed in Ann Arbor. UConn, too, is coming off consecutive losses, falling to Mizzou and Navy. This first-ever trek to Provo is also the longest road trip in Husky history.

Why Connecticut Will Win

The BYU offense was overrated throughout September, a point driven home by the Wolverines in Week 4. The Huskies, while not Michigan, have the defensive personnel and toughness to keep the Cougars in neutral. UConn has yet to allow more than 28 points in a game, with SS Andrew Adams and the pass defense standing out as a particular strength.

Why BYU Will Win

As shaky as the Cougars have been with the ball, they still have the better offensive personnel in this one, like QB Tanner Mangum and receivers Mitch Mathews and Mitchell Juergens. The 16-points-per-game Huskies will have a particular problem navigating BYU’s veteran front seven, namely DE Bronson Kaufusi and MLB Harvey Langi.

Player Who Matters

The Cougars will be looking to do a better job of run blocking this week after being held under 100 yards for the second time in the month of September. The job doesn’t get a whole lot easier with Connecticut in town. Senior RB Adam Hine has shown he can be a productive runner when given holes, rushing for 242 yards and a pair of scores in games against the sound defenses of Boise State and UCLA.

What’s Going To Happen?

BYU will get back to the business of winning games, though the Connecticut D will cause intermittent periods of frustration. Still, the Huskies lack the playmakers to turn a competitive game into an actual upset. A couple of Mangum touchdown passes will afford the Cougars the breathing room they need to move back above the .500 mark.

BYU vs. Connecticut Prediction

Final Score: BYU 30, Connecticut 13, Line: BYU -18.5, o/u: 45.5

Must See Rating: 5: Steve Jobs – 1: Dr. Ken … 2

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