by Chuck Sommers
Monday, Oct 04, 2021
Game time: 3:30 p.m. ET, October 9, 2021
Venue: Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium, Amherst, MA
Where to watch: N/A
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: UConn -2
BetMGM: UConn -2
Caesars: UConn -2
Season record
UConn: 0-6
UMass: 0-5
Larry Ness had a DOMINANT 8-1 run in college football this past weekend for a net profit of $6,950. Games went as planned for the most part, but Larry had everything go his way. Now he gets another week in what should be an interesting slate of games. Catch Larry’s and other plays available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.
UConn - UMass preview and analysis
Recent form
UConn: lost 30-28 at Vanderbilt on Sept. 2
UMass: lost 45-7 vs. Toledo on Oct. 2
It should be a crime to bet on this game.
It's even more of a crime that the Connecticut Huskies are favored at the opening line on Sunday. And also considering not a single soul will touch this game, the worst team in college football will be favored.
When the Huskies and Massachusetts Minutemen meet on Saturday in Amherst, there should be a giant toilet up for grabs to the loser.
Oddly enough, the last two weeks for UConn have gone somewhat well. They've lost by two points in back-to-back weeks against the Wyoming Cowboys and Vanderbilt Commodores, covering in both losses.
It took a field goal as time expired to prevent the Huskies from winning their first game of the season. Quarterback Steven Krajewski completed barely over 50 percent of his passes but had 264 yards and two touchdowns. The UConn offense outgained Vanderbilt 523-439, but the defense struggled to contain quarterback Ken Seals (333 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT).
Kudos to UConn for at least making things entertaining. It helps when you're not playing anybody noteworthy. UMass, however, is coming off consecutive thrashings from the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and Toledo Rockets. In those two losses, UMass was outscored 98-10 and was outgained 455-134 in their 38-point loss to Toledo.
The Rockets (-24) had the cover by halftime and led by as many as 45. Quarterback Brady Olson was held to 106 yards and a touchdown, while Toledo shut down the running game with Kay'Ron Adams having only 23 yards on 12 carries.
Prediction
Watch this game end in six overtimes because we're not allowed to have nice things ever. Based on the last two weeks, UConn feels to be on the doorstep to finally win a game of football and we'll just say the Huskies win. UConn by 5
Betting trends
UConn is 3-3 against the spread this season, but 0-6 straight up and 1-15 in its last 16 Saturday games straight up.
UMass is 1-19 straight up in its last 20 as an underdog and 6-14 ATS.
Players to watch
UConn: If Krajewski can’t replicate what he did last Saturday, look for running back Nathan Carter to impose his will on this matchup. Carter averaged 5.1 yards per carry last week and was a perfect complement to Krajewski.
UMass: Head coach Walt Bell would take a broomstick to make an impact on this team in his third season. Defensively, Gerrell Johnson had 10 tackles and 0.5 sacks last week against Toledo. In what could go down as the worst college football game this season, you look for any sort of silver lining. This would count as one of those. May God have mercy on us all.
Statistical leaders
UConn:
Passing: Steven Krajewski -- 374 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Nathan Carter -- 264 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Keelan Marion -- 202 yards, 3 TD
UMass:
Passing: Brady Olson -- 686 yards, 6 TD, 4 INT
Rushing: Ellis Merriweather -- 244 yards
Receiving: Rico Arnold -- 225 yards, 1 TD
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
