The South Florida Bulls (2-3) set out on their longest road trip of 2015 to play the Connecticut Huskies (3-3) in East Hartford. Check out the South Florida vs. Connecticut prediction and game preview.

South Florida vs. Connecticut Game Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, October 17
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Pratt & Whitney Stadium, East Hartford, Connecticut
Network: ESPNU

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Why You Need To Care

South Florida and Connecticut are coming off resounding wins. But can either inconsistent program build on Week 6 and actually improve its postseason prospects? This weekend will be a crossroads moment for the Bulls and the Huskies to see who can handle prosperity. UConn hammered UCF, 40-13, on Saturday, while USF outclassed Syracuse for the most impressive win of the Willie Taggart era.

Why South Florida Will Win

The Bulls have now played well in back-to-back games, holding Memphis to 24 points and slapping 45 on Syracuse. Somehow meld those two efforts and USF has the makings of a postseason team. The defensive front will be a handful for a shaky UConn line, while RB Marlon Mack and QB Quinton Flowers just spearheaded a 540-yard outburst against a decent Orange D.

Why Connecticut Will Win

Long road trip to a chilly climate to face a scrappy defense can mean just one thing … USF will revert back to its old offensive habits. This is still the same Bull team that averaged 15 points in consecutive losses to Florida State, Maryland and Memphis. Plus, UConn is only allowing 19 points a game, and leads the league in pass defense.

Player Who Matters

After showing a little offensive pop with QB Bryant Shirreffs and RB Arkeel Newsome, can UConn maintain by controlling the South Florida rush? The Bulls have 40 tackles for loss, with heat coming from the front seven and as far back as CB Deatrick Nichols. Nichols was all over the field against Syracuse, and will continue to be used as such.

What’s Going To Happen?

Has South Florida turned a corner? We’ll see. But the Bulls do have more speed and athleticism than Connecticut, which will be evident on both sides of the ball. Flowers will struggle to move the ball effectively through the air, leaving Mack to grind out yards and carry the load on offense.

South Florida vs. Connecticut Prediction

Final Score: South Florida 23, Connecticut 21, Line: Connecticut -3, o/u: 44.5
Must See Rating: 5: Trojan War, 1: The Muppets … 1.5

MORE: College Football Bowl Projections After Week 6