Free College Football Picks – Lower-Tier Big East Foes Engage In Desperate Battle

Those looking for some free college football picks should be aware that the Connecticut Huskies figured to finish near the top of the Big East standings in 2010. The Louisville Cardinals were a likely candidate to finish near the bottom of the league. The two teams meet this weekend in the state of Kentucky.  

Connecticut Huskies @ Louisville Cardinals

Saturday, October 23rd – 3:35 PM ET 
Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, Louisville 
Broadcast: ESPNU 

NCAAF Betting Odds: Connecticut -2, Louisville +2 

In 2009, everything went wrong for the Connecticut Huskies. Cornerback Jasper Howard was tragically killed on campus in an act of violence tied to a squabble about intimate relationships. The Huskies also lost a number of close games due to fourth-quarter defensive breakdowns. Yet, the Huskies persevered, made a bowl, and won that bowl (over South Carolina in the PapaJohns.com Bowl).

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The advent of the 2010 season seemed to promise big things for coach Randy Edsall’s crew, but that’s just not the way things have turned out in New England. Connecticut got blown away at Michigan in a non-competitive season opener, and the rest of the season has unfolded along similarly depressing lines. Connecticut wilted in the second half of a loss at Temple that was fueled by a key fumble that was returned for a touchdown by the underdog Owls.

Then, the narrative continued to bring nothing but negative news for UConn, as Edsall’s athletes bowed to Rutgers in a sloppy Big East collision on Oct. 8. The Huskies’ three units – offense, defense and special teams – could never play well in unison, and a late Rutgers rally made possible by breakdowns in the UConn secondary led to a 27-24 loss that has this program groping for answers. It’s safe to say that the Huskies must find those answers this week against a Louisville team that’s rebuilding under first-year head coach Charlie Strong. 

Free College Football Picks: What Connecticut Has To Do To Win

The Huskies lost at Rutgers for two primary reasons: First, they couldn’t defend the downfield pass late in the game. Rutgers hit far too many big pass plays, and one week after Louisville smoked Cincinnati for 24 first-half points, the need for UConn to be vigilant on defense is greater than it’s ever been this season.

If Louisville can’t score in the twenties, the Huskies should consider themselves fortunate… and very likely to prevail on Saturday afternoon. UConn needs to choke off big plays, stand tall in the red zone, and hopefully hold Louisville to fewer than 20 points.

Free College Football Picks: What Louisville Has To Do To Win

If UConn needs to limit big plays, Louisville needs to find them. The Cardinals’ offense bogged down in the red zone last week against Cincinnati, scoring only three points in the second half and enduring three missed field goals from subpar placekicker Chris Philpott. This is a game in which UL quarterback Adam Froman needs to play four high-quality quarters instead of flaming out after only two good quarters versus Cincy.

Running back Bilal Powell, a dynamic talent and a much-improved player when compared to last season, has to be able to grind out meaningful yards in the fourth quarter. If Froman and Powell answer the bell, UL’s in good shape.

NCAAF Handicapping: Outlook & Free College Football Picks 

Louisville is a fragile team searching for a turning point, while Connecticut is a vastly overrated team that looks impotent against any opponent. Louisville is flawed, but UConn is substantially deficient and extremely overrated. The feeling here is that the Cardinals, playing at home for the third straight week, will feel far more comfortable in this game, especially come crunch time. Take Louisville thanks to a superior fourth quarter in a matchup of two teams that need an instant pick-me-up.   

Free College Football Picks: Louisville +2