Free Pick Saturday #119 Boston College -7 over Connecticut 11 AM CT
Boston College has been outscored by 102 points in ACC play but this break from conference play will be a welcome opportunity after trying to compete with Wake Forest and Clemson in double-digit losses in the past two games. Boston College has a win over Louisville and from early October and Phil Jurkovec is likely to be under less duress throughout this matchup as the highly regarded quarterback has been sacked 22 times behind a suspect offensive line. After nine sacks taken in the first two games of the season there has been improvement in the protection and Connecticut ranks 91st nationally in opposing QB Rating through a schedule that has featured Michigan and two ACC teams but has also featured some very weak teams on the schedule. In two games vs. ACC teams Connecticut has been outscored 89-24 and while Boston College may be at the bottom of the ACC, this will be a leap in class for UConn after facing Ball State and Florida International in the past two games. The big win over Fresno State came just after the Bulldogs lost their quarterback while the other win for the Huskies at home came against FCS Central Connecticut State. Wake Forest scored two late touchdowns last week to make the final score more lopsided than deserved and even with a massive schedule disparity Boston College has a net per play edge in this pairing even as a marginal rushing squad. Connecticut allows 167 rushing yards per game as the Eagles should be able to provide more balance than usual in this pairing to open the offensive potential. These programs have met twice in recent history with Boston College blowout wins in both venues and while it might appear that Connecticut has a chance to have a rushing edge in this game, Connecticut is -213 in rushing in its three major conference games and 200+ yard performances vs. FCS CCSU and vs. FIU skew the numbers upward.
Don’t miss Nelly’s Saturday NCAA 2/3 – a wining package 3 of the past 4 weeks!