by Amedeus Mastrangelo
Wednesday, Nov 17, 2021
Game Time: 4:00 pm ET, Saturday, November 20, 2021
Venue: Bounce House, Orlando, FL
Where to Watch: ESPN+
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: UConn +30.5, UCF -30.5; Over/Under: 56.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: UConn +30.5, UCF -30.5; Over/Under: 55.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: UConn +30.5, UCF -30.5; Over/Under: 55.5 points
Season Record
Connecticut Huskies: 1-9 (7th FBS Independents)
Central Florida Knights: 6-4 (5th place, AAC)
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Connecticut Huskies vs Central Florida Knights Preview and Analysis
Recent Form
Connecticut Huskies: lost on the road on Nov. 13 against the Clemson Tigers 44-7.
Central Florida Knights: lost on the road on Nov. 13 against the SMU Mustangs 55-28.
Connecticut Huskies Analysis
UConn is coming into this game with a 1-9 record overall and they are 1-4 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They only have 1 win all season but they are coming into this one on a 2 game losing streak after another loss in their last game. Neither of their quarterbacks in that game played well. Jack Zergiotis completed 9/21 passes for 90 yards and 2 interceptions while Steven Krajewski completed 6/12 passes for 26 yards. Nathan Carter led the team in rushing with 19 yards on 5 carries but they did not really get anything going in their ground game. Aaron Turner led the receivers with 59 yards on 5 receptions in what was a very quiet day for the receiving corps. Tre Wortham led the defense in that game with 8 solo tackles. No one on the defense recorded a sack in that game while Stan Cross came up with the only interception for them in that one. They have scored 153 points in their 10 games this season averaging 15.3 PPG and they have allowed their opponents to score 368 points against them allowing 36.8 PPG. Their offense is averaging 263.4 YPG while their defense is allowing 441.9 YPG.
Central Florida Knights Analysis
UCF is coming into this game with a 6-4 record overall and they are 5-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They have won 3 of their last 4 games but are coming into this one off of a loss in their last game which snapped a 3 game winning streak that they were on. Miley Keene was alright in that game but could have played much better as he completed 18/35 passes for 174 yards and 1 touchdown. Mark-Antony Richards had a nice day on the ground as he led the team in rushing with 104 yards and 2 touchdowns on 8 carries while Parker Navarro ran in 1 TD himself as well. Jaylon Robinson led the receivers with 50 yards on 2 receptions while Ryan O'Keefe had 44 yards and 1 touchdown on 5 receptions. Jon Powell led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 2 assisted ones. Ricky Barber recorded the only sack in that game with 1 while Tatum Bethune came up with the only interception for them in that one. They have scored 320 points in their 10 games this season averaging 32 PPG and they have allowed their opponents to score 272 points against them allowing 27.2 PPG. Their offense is averaging 398.5 YPG while their defense is allowing 380.9 YPG.
Connecticut vs Central Florida Prediction
UCF is coming into this game as a 30.5 point favorite with the current betting odds according to Draftkings Sportsbook. UConn has pretty much mailed in the season this year with the firing of their head coach and the hiring of a new one for next year, they are just trying to get by and finish out the season now. UCF has a very strong offense and they play a lot better when they are at home where they are in this game. Their defense has also been playing much better this season under their new head coach Gus Malzahn. UConn will not be able to do much on the road here in this crazy building with their interim head coach, they have shifted their focus to next season already. UCF is still focused on this season though now that they are bowl eligible. The best bet to place in this game is on UCF to cover the spread as they are much better and this should be a blow out.
Connecticut Central Florida Prediction: Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, November 20, 2021 (4:00 pm ET start time) is UCF 51 UConn 10.
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NCAAF Betting Trends
Connecticut Huskies: 112-123 ATS in all games. 78-81 ATS as an underdog. 40-50 ATS as a road underdog. 53-59 ATS in road games.
Central Florida Knights: 19-12 ATS as a favorite of 21.5 to 31 points. 142-132 ATS in all games. 87-79 ATS as a favorite. 55-41 ATS as a home favorite. 69-58 ATS in home games.
Key Injuries
Connecticut Huskies: W. Meyer (OL) Out indefinitely - Illness. T. Phommachanh (QB) Out indefinitely - Undisclosed injury. M. Drayton (WR) out for season - Knee injury. C. Ross (WR) Out indefinitely - Foot injury.
Central Florida Knights: I. Bowser (RB) Ques Sat - Leg injury. D. Marks (WR) Out indefinitely - Leg injury. K. Davis (DL) out for season - Knee injury. D. Gabriel (QB) Out indefinitely - Collarbone injury. R. Harvey (RB) out for season - Knee injury.
Notable Quotes
“All the other stuff — you just focus on the task.” - Lou Spanos on having the new head coach for next year, Jim Mora Jr., on the sidelines in their loss to Clemson in their last game.
"Yesterday we had a little dress rehearsal of how we're going to do it in the game. I'm going to be on a little bit of a platform on the sideline. I just don't want to go in the box. I want to be down there with my coaches and players. I'll be propped up just a little bit ... a little adjustment, but I think we will be fine." - Gus Malzahn on where he will be coaching the game from with his broken leg.
Starting Lineups
Connecticut Huskies
WR Kevens Clercius
WR Aaron Turner
WR Marion, Keelan
TE Rose, Jay
QB Krajewski, Steven
RB Mensah, Kevin
Central Florida Knights
WR Johnson, Brandon
WR Jaylon Robinson
WR Ryan O'Keefe
TE Hescock, Jake
QB Keene, Mikey
RB Bowser, Isaiah
Statistical Leaders
Connecticut Huskies
Passing: S. Krajewski (964)
Rushing: N. Carter (488)
Receiving: K. Marion (434)
Touchdowns: K. Marion (5)
Central Florida Knights
Passing: M. Keene (1263)
Rushing: I. Bowser (549)
Receiving: R. O'Keefe (626)
Touchdowns: B. Johnson (9)
Coaches:
Connecticut Huskies: Lou Spanos (Interim)
Central Florida Knights: Gus Malzahn (1st season)
Amedeus Mastrangelo
About the Author:
Amedeus Mastrangelo has been heavily wagering on all sports for years and plays just about everything, including sides, totals, favorites, underdogs, against the spread, alternative spreads, first half, second half, player props, and futures. The bottom line is, if Mastrangelo can see an edge in any way shape or form, then he's going to take advantage.
