Pitt rolled at U.Conn last year, winning 34-10 as a 2 1/2-point underdog, a game in which it managed just 228 total yards in offense but benefited from five Connecticut turnovers. That means the Huskies are in revenge this year, and although the dog has covered the last three in the series, I don't foresee that trend holding true in this rematch.
The Panthers return home after a 1-1 road trip that began with a 38-31 loss at N.C. State in a non-conference tilt against a offensively-talented Wolfpack club. But, Pitt rebounded after a sluggish first half to down Louisville last Friday on the road, beating the Cardinals 35-10.
Pittsburgh has received outstanding offensive balance this year thanks to surprising development of senior quarterback Bill Stull, who is coming off a 16-for-23 effort at Louisville good for 242 yards and 3 TD. Stull, who was booed in the season's first home game for his inconsistent play in recent years, has 11 touchdown passes this season versus one interception. He's also benefited from having freshman Dion Lewis in the backfield. Lewis, replacing LeSean McCoy - now in the pros with the Eagles - has averaged 116 yards per game and 5.4 yards per carry in his first season.
Connecticut lost its top running back, Donald Brown, to the NFL as well, but the Huskies have reloaded with Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon combining for 764 yards and nine touchdowns through four games. But their quarterback play has been spotty as starter Zach Frazer, who might be available as a back-up for this contest, has missed the past two games with a knee injury. In his place, Cody Endres guided the team to victories at Baylor and home versus Rhode Island.
Connecticut enters with the nation's # 4 ranked total defense (232 yards per game yield), but its competition has been suspect at best. A 23-16 road win over a bad Ohio team opened the season. Next up was a 12-10 home loss to North Carolina - a team that's shown little offensive firepower this season in consecutive losses the past two weeks to G-Tech and Virginia - in a game in which the Huskies led 10-0 in the fourth quarter. U.Conn rebounded with a 30-22 road upset of Baylor, and then pummeled overmatched and outclassed Rhode Island 52-10.
Al Demarco 10/10
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