Temple @ Connecticut preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2010 ) Connecticut 16, Temple 30

Temple looks to build on its successful return to the Big East when it visits Connecticut on Saturday. The Huskies - on Homecoming Day - look to slow an Owls team coming off of an emboldening 37-28 victory over South Florida that earned Temple its first conference victory since leaving the Big East in 2004. Connecticut, meanwhile, lost a tough battle of the conference’s best defenses this past weekend, falling to now-No. 19 Rutgers 19-3 on the road. The Owls will look to deploy a strong running game led by emerging tailback Montel Harris versus a talented Connecticut front seven. The Huskies hope to awaken a dormant offense that is averaging only 19.8 points per game and near the bottom in yards per contest (310.5) in the division with a steady commitment to tailback Lyle McCombs, who has 484 yards on the ground this season.

TV: 1 p.m. ET, ESPN3.com. LINE: Connecticut -5

ABOUT CONNECTICUT (3-3, 0-1 Big East): An underwhelming offensive attack needs quarterback Chandler Whitmer to improve on his efficiency and ball protection as he’s thrown ten interceptions to only four touchdowns. The key on offense, however, remains McCombs, who has more than 100 more touches than any other player on the team. Whitmer will look to emerging wide receiver Geremy Davis, who has hauled in 23 receptions for 346 yards and a touchdown. The Huskies do much of their damage on defense, however, where star linebackers Yawin Smallwood, Sio Moore and Jory Johnson will be tasked with stopping the Owls’ strong running attack.

ABOUT TEMPLE (2-2, 1-0): The patience the program showed for former All-ACC tailback Harris paid off in the team’s big win over South Florida as the talented transfer went off for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Fellow Temple tailback Matt Brown still leads the team in rushing, but both backs will be heavily featured to offset the Huskies’ aggressive front seven. Quarterback Chris Coyer hasn’t wowed with his arm this season with 132.5 passing yards per game, but has protected the ball (one interception) and has been effective on the ground with 251 yards rushing. On defense, the Owls will focus heavily on slowing McCombs and try to force Whitmer to challenge their opportunistic secondary.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Temple leads the all-time series 8-4, including two straight victories.

2. Connecticut is 0-5 against the spread in its last five games against Temple.

3. The total has gone under in nine of Temple's last 11 games on the road.

PREDICTION: Temple 24, Connecticut 17