USF-UConn Prediction Time

Posted Dec 5, 2009 by Scott Carter

Updated Dec 5, 2009 at 03:25 PM

With a roster full of Florida kids, USF is considered a 7 1/2-point underdog in tonight’s game at UConn. The conditions at game time are expected to include cold rain and possibly as much as 3 to 5 inches of snow.

If this game was at Raymond James Stadium, I’m guessing USF would be favored, but probably by not as much as UConn is at home tonight. The Huskies have lost five games by a total of 15 points.

And as USF coach Jim Leavitt said this week: “When we’ve lost, we’ve lost big.’‘

The best quote about the weather this week came from USF junior LB Sabbath Joseph, who said the weather “is not a concern at all. If you are worried about the weather, you aren’t ready to go.’’

I agree. To me, seeing a 300-pound offensive lineman coming my way would concern me a lot more than being a little chilly. But, as history has shown, weather does often play a role in the outcome of games, and I expect that to be true here tonight.

ESPN GameDay analyst Lee Corso summed up his prediction this way: “Weather, weather, weather.’‘

USF QB B.J. Daniels is a Florida kid, but growing up in Tallahassee, he played in some cooler weather than what Joseph and other South Florida kids on the roster experienced growing up. Still, the Huskies have an obvious advantage in a cold-weather game with a huge offensive line and a pair of running backs capable of carrying the load. USF is built around speed, and if it is snowy and the field is mushy, that speed is suddenly neutralized.

Unless Daniels has a HUGE game, I expect the Huskies to come out of this one with a victory.

My prediction: UConn 28, USF 17.

What’s your prediction?