The UConn Huskies and the Rice Owls meet in week 6 college football action from Rice Stadium on Saturday.

UConn Loses Heartbreaker

The UConn Huskies lost another one, this one in extremely heartbreaking fashion after a 34-33 defeat at the hands of Utah State last time out. Ta’Quan Roberson has thrown for 755 yards, yards, 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions on 57.4% passing while Victor Rosa leads the Huskies in rushing with 310 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. The Huskies have another two 100+ yard rushers as well this season. Brett Buckman leads the Huskies with 22 receptions for 261 yards while Justin Joly and Cameron Ross each have 150+ receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Jackson Mitchell leads the Huskies with 47 total tackles and an interception while UConn’s defense as a whole has combined for 6 sacks and 2 interceptions this season.

UConn Huskies Team Facts

UConn has lost each of its last 21 games against opponents from the American Athletic Conference.
UConn has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four road games against opponents from the American Athletic Conference.
UConn has lost the first half in 13 of its last 14 games against opponents from the American Athletic Conference.
Six of UConn’s last seven October games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Rice Edges Out East Carolina

The Rice Owls improved to 3-2 on the year after picking up a 24-17 win over East Carolina in their last outing. JT Daniels has thrown for 1,469 yards, 13 touchdowns and 4 interceptions on 62.4% passing while Dean Connors has rushed for a team-high 138 yards. Luke McCaffrey has a team-high 23 catches for 414 yards and 4 touchdowns while Connors has 218 receiving yards and another five Rice pass-catchers have 100+ receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Piae Wyatt and Myron Morrison each have a team-high 32 total tackles while De’Braylon Carroll and Coleman Coco each have 2.5 sacks. As a unit, Rice has 13 sacks and 2 interceptions this season.

Rice Owls Team Facts

Rice has lost four of its last five October games as a home favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
Rice has covered the spread in each of its last four home games against non-conference opponents.
Rice has won the first quarter in four of its last five home games against non-conference opponents.
Rice has won the first half in four of its last five home games against non-conference opponents.
Each of Rice’s last six home games against non-conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Rice was one of only 20 FBS teams to win 3+ games when trailing at HT last season.
Rice was one of only 26 FBS teams to win 2+ games when trailing after Q3 last season.
Connecticut ranked 13th among FBS teams for Q4 points allowed per game last season (4.5).
Connecticut ranked T25th among FBS teams for Q4 win percentage last season (.538).

Chris’ Pick

I’m torn here, but I’m leaning towards the under here. I haven’t been overly impressed with Rice offensively, as their two highest scoring outputs of the season were 59 points against FCS Texas Southern and a double OT win over Houston that they blew a 28-0 lead in. Now granted, UConn’s not going to be the toughest of opposition, but I think Rice does enough to win here and UConn’s offense was held to 17 points or less in their first four games before that back and forth game against Utah State. I think this one hangs around the mid-40s so give me the under here.