After Connecticut was blown out in the 2011 Fiesta Bowl, its first BCS bowl game, the rising program watched coach Randy Edsall board his version of a Mayflower moving truck, traveling straight to accept a new job at Maryland instead of traveling home with his players.
Like LeBron James, it wasn’t the fact Edsall left, but how he left, which infuriated fans. Even Edsall later acknowledged regret at how he handled the situation after 12 years with the school.
So, what happened when the coach returned to a near-capacity Rentschler Field last Saturday for the first time since bringing his talents to College Park? The fans created an environment as hostile as bubble wrap.
When a much-more talented Michigan team arrives in East Hartford Saturday night, the Wolverines will enjoy the atmosphere of a neutral-site game and battle an offense as sharp as a spoon.
The Huskies have opened the season with two double-digit home losses, including to FSC foe Towson State, which had never beaten a team from the bowl subdivision before, while Michigan’s narrow win over Akron, a letdown after its win over Notre Dame, will only renew the Wolverines’ focus against underwhelming UConn. The Wolverines will show no mercy and sweep the leg.
Give the 17¹/₂ points and get UConn a body bag.
NORTH CAROLINA STATE (+13¹/₂) over Clemson: A classic “Clemsoning” meltdown shouldn’t come to fruition, but the Wolfpack’s run game will eat enough clock to keep it close and keep the nervous orange blood pumping.
GEORGIA TECH (-6) over North Carolina: The Tar Heels haven’t won at Georgia Tech in 16 years, but when discussing the game, Carolina coach Larry Fedora said, “We got a chance.” Well, I’m inspired.
SYRACUSE (-14¹/₂) over Tulane: In Terrel Hunt we trust.
Tennessee (+17) over FLORIDA: The line has jumped more than two points in Florida’s favor, invoking Rule No. 1, which cites not backing a team the public loves this much. The Vols haven’t beaten the Gators since 2004, but Florida’s offense hasn’t shown much through two games, averaging only 20 points.
RUTGERS (-1) over Arkansas: With quarterback questions on both sides, stay at home.
NOTRE DAME (-7) over Michigan State: The Spartans finally settled on a quarterback in sophomore Connor Cook, who will be making his first career road start in South Bend. It’s a long way from facing Youngstown State in East Lansing.
WISCONSIN (-24) over Purdue: The Badgers will bounce back after their cruel and unusual loss to Arizona State, behind the second-best rushing team in the nation. The Boilermakers have played one road game this season, losing 42-7 at Cincinnati.
MARYLAND (-6) over West Virginia: The Terps lose a slight edge of home-field advantage with the game being played in Baltimore, but Maryland’s balance, with a Top-30 passing and rushing ranking, and the nation’s most sacks, has given them their first 3-0 record since 2001. If you can parlay a prop bet involving wide receiver Stefon Diggs surpassing 100 yards receiving and catching a touchdown, do it.
Colorado State (+39¹/₂) over ALABAMA: Too many points, not enough motivation.
Arizona State (+7¹/₂) over STANFORD: The ending is all that will be remembered in the Sun Devils’ win last week over Wisconsin, but Taylor Kelly’s career-high 352-yard performance made it possible. The Cardinal have looked awfully unimpressive this season and will leave the back door wide open.
TEXAS A&M (-28¹/₂) over Smu: If the Mustangs allowed 30 points to Montana and the Aggies scored 42 against the top-ranked team in the country, Johnny Football could drop triple-digits.
Auburn (+17¹/₂) over LSU: Undefeated Auburn won’t fool anyone into thinking Cam Newton has come back, but the Tigers’ last-second win against Mississippi State is enough reason to believe a two-possession loss is possible.
Kansas State (+4¹/₂) over TEXAS: The only intrigue left in the Longhorns’ season is whether Mack Brown will see the end of it. After a loss to Ole Miss, Brown said, “We can get this all righted by winning the Big 12.” They can take away his job, but they can’t take away his sense of humor.
UCLA (-42¹/₂) over New Mexico State: Following a 20-point win and 18-point comeback at Nebraska, the Bruins face a team allowing 47.3 points and 576.7 yards per game. Ivan Drago meet Apollo Creed.
BEST BETS: Michigan, Wisconsin, Kansas State