Connecticut @ Rutgers preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 31, 2009 ) Rutgers 28, Connecticut 24

After non-conference performances that offered more questions than answers, Connecticut and Rutgers meet in Friday’s Big East Conference opener for both teams.

UConn (3-2) has won two straight but also lost its only two real tests so far. Mentioned as a favorite to grab the Big East’s automatic BCS bid at the beginning of the season, the Huskies were drubbed in their opener, 30-10, at Michigan in Denard Robinson’s coming-out party. They also fell to an improving Temple squad, 30-16.

The Huskies, with home wins over Buffalo, Vanderbilt and Texas Southern, have not exactly played a murderer’s row.

If they’re going to make noise in the Big East, they’ll have to rely on running back Jordan Todman. Last week, Todman ran for 190 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Huskies past the Commodores. Todman has rushed for over 100 yards in seven of his last eight games and has rushed for 638 yards this season, with seven touchdowns.

While Todman is a workhorse, the Huskies have had uncertainty at quarterback. Cody Endres replaced Zach Frazer midway through the game against Buffalo and seems to have a hold on the job for now.

With teams focusing on Todman, Endres will have to step up his game in conference play. He was 21-of-30 for 179 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception, against Vanderbilt.

Rutgers (2-2) has its own quarterback issues but knows it has a stout defense.

The Scarlet Knights have not allowed more than 17 points in a game this season and have recorded one shutout. Through four games, the 48 points allowed are the second fewest under coach Greg Schiano.

Rutgers ranks fourth in the country in scoring defense, behind top-ranked Alabama, Iowa and Arizona. That success starts with stopping the run. Rutgers allows just 80 yards per game on the ground and could frustrate cUConn, which comes in averaging 209.4 rushing yards per game.

Rutgers scored 31 points in its season-opening shutout of Norfolk State but has not cracked 20 points since, including consecutive home losses to North Carolina and Tulane.

Now the Scarlet Knights have questions at quarterback with inconsistent starter Tom Savage dealing with a hand injury he suffered against Tulane. In four games, Savage has thrown for 399 yards and completed barely half of his attempts (35-of-68). He has thrown three interceptions and one touchdown, and has been sacked 11 times.

The options behind Savage are limited. Backup Chas Dodd is a true freshman and behind him is wide receiver Mohamad Sanu, who would operate out of the Wildcat.

Rutgers leads the series with UConn 20-9. The Scarlet Knights are 4-1 in their last five against the Huskies, including last season when Savage hit wide receiver Tim Brown for an 81-yard touchdown with 22 seconds left in a 28-24 road win.

If history is any indication, the game will be close. The teams have met eight times since 2001, with six of those contests decided by seven points or less.