Connecticut Huskies vs Houston Cougars Point Spread Picks

Randy Edsall's return as head coach at Connecticut hasn't helped as the Huskies are 5-25 straight-up the last three years, including 1-5 and 2-4 ATS this season. Connecticut is ranked #104 on offense and #127 on defense while allowing 40.5 points per game. The Huskies barely beat FCS Wagner in their season opener and have lost five in a row since following Saturday's 49-7 blowout loss at Tulane and they couldn't even cover a 33.5 point spread. The Green Wave outgained the Huskies 634-234 and it racked up 311 yards on the ground. Houston is dealing with the absence of quarterback D'Eriq King, who decided to redshirt, but the Cougars still have some weapons at running back as Kyle Porter ran for 107 yards on 16 carries and Marquez Stevenson had 107 receiving yards in Houston's loss to Cincinnati. The Cougars have covered eight of their last 10 when following an ATS loss and the Huskies are 7-25-3 ATS their last 35 versus teams with losing records. Also, Connecticut is 18-47-2 ATS its last 67 games overall. Lay the points with Houston.

Houston is averaging 44.8 points per game and 497.5 total offense yards. Yet the posted total in this matchup is only around 50 due to Connecticut's lack of offense, not just this season, but the last few years. However, this is a big revenge game for the Cougars, who lost at UConn last season as an eight point favorite, which resulted in Houston's only loss in 2015. Coach Tom Herman and the Cougars will show no mercy not only for payback reasons, but also so his 4-0 team can impress the voters and improve their chances for a possible playoff berth. Houston QB Greg Ward Jr. has completed 65.7 percent of his passes for 936 yards and five touchdowns. Six different receivers have caught TD passes this season and Duke Catalon is averaging 4.7 yards per carry in 48 attempts. Connecticut is averaging 21.3 points per game, which actually is an improvement from last year's 17 points per contest, but the defense has taken a step back in giving up an average of 22.5 points compared to 19 last year. UConn is capable of putting some scores on the board as quarterback Bryant Shirreffs is 79-of-118 for 819 yards with two interceptions and two TDs.  Houston is a four-touchdown favorite, but the smart bet is on the total. Take the OVER.