Week 1: UCONN vs Central Connecticut State 9/3/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The UConn Huskies and Central Connecticut Blue Devils clash Saturday afternoon in week 1 of college football action at Pratt & Whitney Stadium. The Central Connecticut Blue Devils are coming off a 4-win season and enter year 4 under coach Ryan McCarthy. The UConn Huskies look for a win after losing their opener to Utah State. 

The Central Connecticut Blue Devils averaged 21.1 points and 329.5 yards per game last season. Central Connecticut allowed an average of 30.8 points and 378.7 yards per game last season. Romelo Williams returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,400 yards, 10 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Isiah Williams and Kyren Petteway are a returning receiving duo that combined for 400 yards and 1 touchdown, while Nasir Smith led the Blue Devils with 600 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Chizi Umunakwe returns after 50 tackles, Luquay Washington had 2 sacks and Jonathan Cabral-Martin led the Blue Devils with 2 interceptions. Central Connecticut ended last year, winning 3 of their final 4 games, and they have a lot of their playmakers on offense coming back. This will be a nice early test for Central Connecticut, a team that got waxed last year whenever stepping up in competition. 

The UConn Huskies have lost 5 of their last 6 home games. Zion Turner is completing 38.7 percent of his passes for 109 yards, 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions. Aaron Turner and Russell Dixon have combined for 61 receiving yards on 5 catches, while Kevens Clercius has 3 receptions. The UConn Huskies ground game is averaging 245 yards per contest, and Nathan Carter leads the way with 190 yards on 20 carries. Defensively, UConn is allowing 31 points and 441.9 yards per game. Jackson Mitchell leads the UConn Huskies with 16 tackles, Kaleb Anthony has 1 tackle for loss and Tre Wortham has 1 forced fumble.

The Blue Devils are 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 road games and 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The Huskies are 14-30-1 ATS in their last 45 home games and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The under is 3-1-1 in Blue Devils last 5 non-conference games. The over is 3-1-1 in Huskies last 5 games overall.

The UCONN Huskies just held their own against a good Utah State team, and that’s a loss that should give them confidence moving forward. UCONN had a little pep in its step, and I’d assume that will continue in its home opener. The Central Connecticut State Blue Devils aren’t nearly as talented as UCONN and assuming the Huskies bring that same energy they did in week 0, this should be a comfortable win for the home team.