Featured Video from Scott Reichel
#173 UConn at #174 Tulane
When and where: Oct. 12, 2019. Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, LA, 3:45 p.m.
UConn comes into its game at Tulane on a four-game losing streak while the Green Wave are winners of three straight. The Huskies are having trouble scoring, averaging only 19.6 points per game. The Green Wave is having no such problem, averaging 37.2 points per game.
UConn need to right the ship
After opening the season with a 24-21 win over Wagner, the Huskies lost to Illinois, at Indiana, at UCF and at home to USF. In their last three losses, UConn hasn’t been within 25 points at the end of the game.
The Huskies lost quarterback Steven Krajewski two weeks ago after the freshman broke his collarbone. Mike Beaudry came in to start against USF last week and fared well, completing 18 of 29 passes for 209 yards and one touchdown. He was sacked five times, however.
EARLY TURNOVER!
— UConn Football (@UConnFootball) September 21, 2019
Kevon Jones rips the ball free and Omar falls on top of it! #RaisetheBar pic.twitter.com/opXWcrhLyX
Leading rusher Kevin Mensah rushed for 70 yards and two touchdowns against USF. On the season, Mensah has rushed for 418 yards and four touchdowns.
Tulane on a winning streak
The Green Wave is riding a three-game winning streak, but they haven’t all been easy. Last week, Tulane went to West Point and came away with a tough 42-33 win against Army. The previous week, Tulane edged Houston at home, 38-31, for a hard-fought conference victory. The Green Wave was blown out at Auburn, 24-6, for their only loss of the season.
Their 4-1 start is their best since 1998 and the Green Wave are looking to go 5-1 for just the sixth time since 1960. They are led by senior quarterback Justin McMillan, who is 9-2 as a starter. Running back Amare Jones has been a strong all-purpose back for the Green Wave, rushing for 202 yards and catching 21 passes for another 238 yards. He has scored five touchdowns on the season.
For the 4th time in 5 games, we have put up 35+ points on the scoreboard. #RollWave pic.twitter.com/pTnh1sZm8N
— Tulane University Football (@GreenWaveFB) October 7, 2019
“Looking forward to this week's game with Connecticut, back in league play,” said coach Willie Fritz. “I always tell the guys that everyone one of these counts as one and we have to turn the page quickly and move on to the next one."
Notable Trends
- Green Wave are 5-0 ATS in their last six games overall
- Green Wave are 11-4 in their last 15 home games
- Green Wave are 5-0 in their last five games on fieldturf
- Huskies are 0-4 in their last four games following a double-digit loss
- Huskies are 5-23-1 in their last 29 games on field turf
- Huskies are 1-4 in their last five games in October
The Bottom Line What to bet on this game.
Full-Game Side Bet
These are two teams headed in completely opposite directions, with Tulane having won three straight games and averaging 37.2 points per game and allowing 21.6. They are also 3-0 at home on the season and 4-1 against the spread.
UConn has lost four straight and is scoring only 19.6 points per game and allowing 38.8. They are 0-2 on the road and are 2-3 against the spread on the season.
With the Huskies breaking in a new quarterback, they will have to rely on their running game to keep the high-powered Tulane offense off the field. Unfortunately, the Green Waves have the defense that will get them the ball back enough to pile on the points and cover the big spread.
Take Tulane, -34
Prediction: Tulane -34
Full-Game Total Pick
Two things should be certain in this game. The UConn defense will have a very difficult time stopping the Green Wave offense. However, it’s not likely the Huskies offense will be able to keep up their end of the bargain as Tulane also has an outstanding defense, giving up only 19.6 points per game.
Throw in the fact that UConn is working on its third quarterback of the season. Beaudry is a graduate transfer from West Florida who was competing for the starting job against Krajewski this summer. Jack Zargotis has also seen time as well. Tulane allows only 188.4 passing yards per game, ranking 26th nationally.
The Green Wave should have an easy time scoring on the Huskies, but UConn won’t be able to match them.
Take Under 58
Prediction: Under 58
