.jpg "Memphis-at-Uconn-(ESPN)")
The Memphis Tigers must be a little shell-shocked after last week’s performance against UCF. In their first road game of the season, Memphis got boatraced off the field, in a 40-13 loss. The Tigers were listless on offense and turned the ball over four times. The loss ruined Memphis’ undefeated start to the season, and now the Tigers are looking for someone to take it out on. That doesn’t bode well for the Connecticut Huskies, who have yet to beat an FBS opponent this season.
Watch this regular season Week 6 matchup live on Friday, October 6, 2017, at 7 p.m. ET at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. This game will be broadcast on ESPN.
College Football Opening Odds at BookMaker.eu
Memphis -14
UConn +14
Odds Analysis
In their season opener, the Huskies had to rally from a 20-7 halftime deficit in order to beat Holy Cross. The Crusaders racked up almost 400 total yards of offense against UConn and that performance was a sign of things to come for this defense. In subsequent weeks, this team has given up 38 points to Virginia, 41 points to East Carolina, and 49 points to SMU in losses. They are 0-4 ATS so far.
Memphis was able to score on anyone at home. In its first three games of the season, the Tigers put up at least 37 points in each home game and even knocked off UCLA. However, the defense has continuously let this team down in 2017. Memphis has yet to allow less than 29 points in a game and that has led to it being 1-3 ATS.
Key Stat
Both these defenses are among the worst in the American, if not the country. Memphis is the better of the two. The Tigers are allowing 513 yards per game and have at least played two very good offenses in UCF and UCLA. Additionally, Memphis gave up a lot of yards in its season opener as Louisiana-Monroe racked up meaningless yards in garbage time of that one.
Connecticut’s has been somehow worse. This pass defense is just awful and UConn hasn’t been able to stop anyone through the air. The Huskies are dead last in this category by a country mile, giving up 380 yards per game through the air so far in 2017. That number is 45 yards more than any other team.
Player to Watch
Randy Edsall’s first season back in Storrs has meant good things for quarterback Bryant Shirreffs. Shirreffs was a marginal quarterback for his first three seasons with the program, failing to pass for over 10 touchdowns in either 2015 or 2016 despite being the team’s starter in both seasons.
Shirreffs has already thrown eight touchdowns this season and has shattered his previous career highs in almost every aspect in his senior season at UConn. He is completing 68.9 percent of his passes and is averaging an incredible 11 yards per pass.
It’s a shame that UConn’s defense has been unable to play well as the Huskies are wasting these great performances.
Free ATS Pick
The over/under is probably going to be an eye-popper in this one. Although Memphis has played a fair amount of shootouts in recent years, Edsall has been a completely different coach than Bob Diaco, so this is a new thing for UConn. Under Diaco, the Huskies won games through their defense, and were very limited on the offensive end.
Uconn isn’t a great team, but the Huskies shouldn’t be two touchdown underdogs at home. Shirreffs will be able to keep them in the game as Memphis’ defense falters. The Tigers were hammered on the road last week and now have another long road trip ahead of them. Off of a short week, that will help UConn stay within the number.
College Football Odds: Memphis 41, UConn 35
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook!
