Free College Football Pick: Connecticut vs. Rutgers

This free college football pick on the Connecticut vs. Rutgers game Friday night is courtesy of Pregame.com.  Check out Pregame.com here for all your sports handicapping needs and free picks.

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights host the Connecticut Huskies tonight on ESPN starting at 7:30 EDT. Both of these Big East teams have been incredibly disappointing so far this year. Both of these teams need this game in the worst way tonight, especially in front of a national audience. UCONN is a 4.5 road favorite tonight, with a total of 42 points expected.

Rutgers has been a tough team to figure out this year, as they haven't lived up to the expectations placed upon them. Rutgers only has 1 SU win against FBS competition, and are a terrible 0-4 ATS this season. The Scarlet Knights have yet to win a game at home this year against FBS competition, including a 3 point loss to Tulane last week. That loss to Tulane was inexcusable considering they were a 17 home favorite for that contest. Offensively, Rutgers has only scored 20 PTS or more once this season, and that was against FCS competition. The Scarlet Knights are very predicable on offense, and as a result are only averaging 19.3 PPG. This poor offense keeps this team from covering spreads when they are the listed favorite. The Scarlet Knights do have a sound defense, as they are only allowing 12 PPG, 4th best in the nation. No team has scored more than 14 PTS against them this year. The Scarlet Knights are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Friday games overall.

Rutgers is 5-2 ATS against a team with a winning record. The Scarlet Knights are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games.

Rutgers is 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games as an underdog of 3.5 to 10 PTS. The Over is 8-3 in the Scarlet Knights last 11 conference games.

Connecticut is 3-1 this season, both SU and ATS. Thus far, the point spread hasn't mattered in UCONN games this year. The Huskies have won their past 2 games at home thanks to an explosive offense, scoring more than 40 PTS in each game. UCONN is averaging nearly 210 rushing YPG this season, led by RB Jordan Todman. Todman has rushed for 638 YDS this season, including 7 TD's. For the Huskies to ultimately win the Big East this year, the passing game will need to improve. Unfortunately, the Huskies are far too one dimensional and predictable. The Huskies are improving on defense after a very shaky start to the season. UCONN is allowing 21 PPG this season, the 44th best mark in the nation. The Huskies are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games in October. UCONN is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a SU win. The Huskies are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 conference games.

The Huskies are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games as a road favorite. The Over is 6-0 in their last 6 conference games overall.