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Two very disappointing teams meet for the final time as Big East members and likely for the foreseeable future when UConn visits Syracuse in Friday’s lone NCAA game. The Orange are 5-point favorites on Vegassportsbetting.com.
Syracuse enters off a 23-15 loss at Rutgers, the Big East leader. Ryan Nassib’s passing (25 of 42 for 356 yards) got the Orange within eight points with less than five minutes to play, and Syracuse got the ball back with 2:45 to play.
However, Brandon Jones intercepted Nassib on first down, and Rutgers ran out the clock. Syracuse outgained Rutgers 418-237 – there were four more turnovers and a blocked kick that turned the tide.
Syracuse (2-4, 1-1) has lost seven fumbles and suffered eight interceptions while gaining just five turnovers and is tied with South Florida for last in the conference in turnover margin with a minus-1.67 mark.
Both of Syracuse’s victories have come at home – against Stony Brook, which plays at Division I’s second level, and Pittsburgh. In its 14-13 win over the Panthers, the Orange committed just one turnover, the defense excelled when the game was on the line, and special teams play was solid.
UConn lost 17-14 in overtime at home to Temple. The Huskies’ Chad Christen missed four field goal attempts, including a 28-yarder on UConn’s overtime possession. Chandler Whitmer threw for 293 yards and both of UConn’s scores, and Max DeLorenzo had 91 yards rushing for the Huskies.
However, UConn has allowed back-to-back 100-yard rushers for the first time since 2009 against Notre Dame (Armando Allen) and Syracuse (Delone Carter). The Huskies had a five-overtime-game winning streak (the longest active in the country) snapped in last week’s loss to Temple.
Friday’s game will be the ninth meeting all-time between UConn and Syracuse with the series dating back to UConn joining the Big East in 2004. UConn leads the series by a 6-2 count and has won the past five meetings between the teams.
UConn has won two of four meetings at the Carrier Dome – loss 42-30 in 2004, loss 20-14 in 2006, win 39-14 in 2008 and win 23-6 in 2010.
Last season, Connecticut defeated Syracuse by a score of 28-21 on Rentschler Field on November 5, 2011. Quarterback Scott Mccummings rushed for two touchdowns in the game and tailback Lyle Mccombs rushed for 152 yards in the win.
Vegas trends: Huskies are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 meetings. Favorite is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 meetings. Home team is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 meetings.
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