UCONN (2-2) vs Buffalo (3-1)
Game Info: Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 12:00 pm (Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field)
The Line: Betting Odds: UCONN -6.5 / Buffalo +6.5 — Over/Under: 45.5
The Buffalo Bulls and the UConn Huskies meet in week 5 college football action from Pratt & Whitney Stadium on Saturday afternoon. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Buffalo vs. UConn prediction.
Buffalo Recap
The Buffalo Bulls come into this one looking to build on back-to-back wins to improve to 3-1 on the year after emerging with a 23-20 upset over Northern Illinois last time out. After this game, Buffalo will head home for a matchup with Toledo.
Bulls Looking To Avoid Letdown
C.J. Ogbonna has thrown for 542 yards, 4 touchdowns, and an interception on 53% passing while Jacqez Barksdale has a team-high 194 rushing yards and a touchdown. Al-Jay Henderson has 131 rushing yards and 2 TDs while Lamar Sperling has 107 rushing yards. Victor Snow leads the Bulls with 13 grabs for 179 yards as well. On defense, Shaun Dolac has a team-high 62 total tackles along with 2 sacks and 2 interceptions while Kobe Stewart has a team-high 2.5 sacks and Buffalo’s defense has combined for 7 sacks and 5 interceptions as well on the year.
Why the Buffalo Bulls will win
- Connecticut has lost 23 of its last 27 games in September.
- Buffalo has won three of its last four games.
- Buffalo has covered the spread in five of its last six road games in September.
- Connecticut has failed to cover the spread in 11 of its last 14 September games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
UConn Recap
The UConn Huskies come into this game looking to build on a 48-14 beatdown win over FAU last time out to improve to 2-2 on the year. After this game, UConn will head home for a matchup against the Temple Owls.
Huskies Trying To Take Steps Forward
Joe Fagnano has thrown for 510 yards, 7 touchdowns, and an interception on 57.9% passing while Nick Evers has thrown for 296 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 INTs. Durell Robinson leads the Huskies with 296 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns while Mel Brown has 252 rushing yards as well. Cam Edwards and the aforementioned Evers each have 150+ rushing yards as well on the year. Skyler Bell leads UConn’s receiving group with 15 grabs for 347 yards. On defense, Tui Faumuina-Brown has a team-high 32 total tackles including 14 solo tackles. As a team, UConn’s defense has combined for 6 sacks and 2 interceptions.
Why the Connecticut Huskies will win
- The home team has won eight of Connecticut’s last nine games.
- Buffalo has lost five of its last six road games against non-conference opponents.
- Connecticut has covered the spread in each of its last four September games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Buffalo has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games as an underdog.
Buffalo vs. UConn Prediction
I’m on UConn here. I’ll give credit for Buffalo taking down NIU, but I think that game was more about NIU in a letdown spot after the upset over Notre Dame and I think Buffalo now finds itself in a similar situation. UConn’s had some solid offensive showings, even if they’ve been somewhat inconsistent, and I think the Huskies get it done at home here. Give me UConn.