South Florida @ Connecticut preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 4, 2010 ) Connecticut 19, South Florida 16

THE STORY: South Florida was looking like the Big East favorite before getting dismantled at Pittsburgh 44-17 last time out. The Bulls had an off week to think about what went wrong before traveling to UConn for their second conference game Saturday. USF gave up 523 yards – 226 rushing to Ray Graham – againstPittsburgh. They will have to do much better against UConn freshman running back Lyle McCombs, who averages 95.8 yards. UConn kicker Dave Teggart has hit the winning field goal in the last two meetings, including a 52-yarder with 17 seconds left to send the Huskies to their first BCS bowl game last season.

TV: SNY (NY/CT), BHSN (Tampa), Big East Network. LINE: South Florida -7.5.

ABOUT SOUTH FLORIDA (4-1, 0-1 Big East): The Bulls, led by quarterback B.J. Daniels, are 10th in the nation in total offense (503.6) and 15th in scoring (39.8). The junior is averaging more than 310 yards of offense, with eight touchdown passes and just one interception. Sterling Griffin is his top target with 27 receptions and 357 yards. Darrell Scott, averaging 6.5 per carry, will be a key for the Bulls against UConn's tough run defense.

ABOUT CONNECTICUT (2-4, 0-1 Big East): The Huskies have lost four of five and allowed 81 points in their last two games. Walk-on Johnny McEntee has won the quarterback job, averaging 223.5 yards passing the last four games. McCombs has three 100-yard rushing games, but just one the last four weeks. Teggart, who has made all 114 PATs in his career, was on the preseason watch list for the Groza Award as the nation’s top place kicker. He is 3 of 8 from 40-49 yards and 3 of 3 from 50 or more yards. Senior defensive lineman Kendall Reyes leads the defense with four sacks.

EXTRA POINTS

1. USF’s Skip Holtz was the UConn head coach from 1994-98.

2. The all-time series is tied 4-4. The Bulls last won in 2008.

3. UConn is ranked sixth nationally in rushing defense, 105th in passing defense.

PREDICTION: USF 31, UConn 14 – The Huskies will have a hard time stopping the high-powered Bulls’ offense.