Scott Spreitzer looks to rock the sports books with his first CFB FRIDAY NIGHT BEATDOWN of 2104.
I’m backing Connecticut on Friday night. Just a couple of weeks ago, I mentioned how far the USF program has slipped since former HC Jim Leavitt was forced out. The horrible slide has counted where we like it the most also, the point-spread, giving us plenty of opportunities to increase our bankroll. The Bulls are 5-21-1 ATS in their last 27 home games. USF began the season at home and escaped with a 36-31 win as a 26-point favorite over Western Carolina. The Bulls finished the game with 13 first downs to WCU’s 27, and connected on just 10-of-27 pass attempts for 181 yards and an INT. The cover against Maryland was a lucky one as USF returned a Terps fumble for a TD. USF struggled through the air again, completing just 15-of-37 passes for 174 yards and another INT. And last week’s home loss to NC State was a complete indictment on just how far the USF program has fallen. The Bulls lost 49-17 as a 2 1/2-point home dog. But it was more than the final score. USF finished with 8 first downs to NC State’s 30. And the Bulls allowed 589 yards, while gaining just 159. Through three games, South Florida owns the nation’s 116th rated passing offense and total offense. They have completed just 30-of-84 (36%) of their passes for and average of just 148 yards per game with 1 TD pass and 4 INTs. UConn, meanwhile, has faced BYU and Boise State in two of their first three games and will be taking a step down in level of opposition. The Bulls have no home field advantage, playing in front of less than 30-thousand people a week ago. And while South Florida is on a 0-8 ATS slide as chalk, the Huskies are on a 16-5 ATS run against teams averaging no more than 5.75 yards per pass. That’s a combined mark of 24-5 ATS. I’m backing the UConn Huskies, my Friday night Beatdown.